Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

WNC OFFICERS
Chair Cindy Pilchard
Vice Chair Mike Pretl
Secretary Mary Jane Marine
Treasurer Lena Wallop

WNC COMMITTEES: (1) Community Concerns - Joe Austin, Dot Truitt, John Bonas Dexter Lunsford & Richard Widdowson; (2) Convention and Forums - Jim Ireton & Lena Wallop; (3) Recruitment and Membership - Chairman Cindy Pilchard & Vice Chair Mike Pretl; and, (4) Website - Kurt Drechsler and Terry Potterton.

I. PRESENT: Geraldine Bell, (Glen Haven) John Bonas (Meadowbrook), Megan Fenoglietto (Heather Glen), James Fisher (Butler Development), Cliff Fridlind (Cooper Landing) Bob Hocutt (Schumaker Woods) , Winona Hocutt (Schumaker Woods), Janice Hughes (Delmar), Barry Johansson (Fruitland) Shelton Lankford (Pemberton Ponds), David MacLeod (Hunting Park), Mary Jane Marine (Sharptown), Cindy Pilchard (Schumaker Woods), Terry Potterton (Wolfe Creek) and Dot Truitt (Eireanne Mohr) ________________________________________________________________________

II. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cindy Pilchard called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
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III. MINUTES: By motion John Bonas, seconded by Terry Potterton and carried, the minutes of May 25, 2010 were approved as submitted. ________________________________________________________________________

IV. TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Lena Wallop was absent. Chairman Cindy Pilchard reported the checking account balance as $675.72. Report submitted to her by the treasurer. ________________________________________________________________

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Report/Update - Community Concerns Committee (Austin, Truitt, Bonas, Lunsford & Widdowson). Dot Truitt reported that two questionnaires (QUESTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE WICOMICO NEIGHBORHOOD CONGRESS MAY, 2010) had been previously turned into the Community Concerns Committee and she has received 8 this evening. She suggested we accept additional responses for a few more weeks through July 15 in order to have time to give a report at the next WNC general meeting of July 27.
After discussion it was decided that that roster would be the possession of the Executive Board. It would not be available for publication on our web-site or as a handout.

2. Web-site Update - Terry Potterton reported that he and Kurt Drechsler (not present) had taken a vacation from working on the website since the last meeting. The group complimented them for their outstanding work in the past and believed them to have earned a well-deserved vacation.

3. Government Filings - Chairman Cindy Pilchard said she has been advised by Vice-Chairman Mike Pretl that the WNC has been officially notified that our application for 501 (c) 3 status has been received.

4. 1st Annual WNC Dinner & Presentation @ SU September 25. The committee reported confirmation of the University's Worchester Room for September 28th (fourth Tuesday). It was noted that business casual dress would be preferred. The committee would meet after the General Meeting and have a detailed report available at the July meeting.

5. Nominating Committee (Cindy Pilchard, Mike Pretl, Janice Hughes & Lena Wallop). President Cindy Pilchard asked if there were persons that would like to serve on executive board or as officer to please submit a short biography to her for review by the nominating committee.
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VI. NEW BUSINESS:

1. National Night Out - October 3 - : Chairman Cindy Pilchard said she would look into the possibility of have a special speaker at our July 27 meeting that would give information about the National Night Out program.
2. Sustainable Delmarva: Comments: Terry Potterton gave an over-view of the "World Café" concept as presented by Jennifer Hicks, our guest speaker last month. It was noted that since we are now 501 (c) 3 that perhaps we could apply for a grant, maybe through the Community Foundation, to organize such an event in the future. A covered dish dinner would be a good way to provide a meal for those attending the "World Café" event. It would be very beneficial to have the Wicomico County Council support the WNC in this endeavor. This would be a matter of special interest to the Community Concerns Committee.
3. Wicomico County Executive Candidates Forum: The group discussed holding a candidates night for those running for county executive. All candidates would be encouraged to attend to avoid a political favoritism. The possibility of having other candidates running for county positions to participate as well. David MacLeod advised the deadline for filing was July 6, the primary will be September 7 and the general election on November 2. If WNC intends to hold a candidates night we would need to schedule it in the near future.

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VII. Comments, Questions & Concerns - Good for the order: With no other matters to come before the assembly, each person was given the opportunity to introduce themselves and make comments about their neighborhood and/or Home Owners Association or the WNC in general.

1. Janice Hughes commented that we have no way of knowing what the WNC is doing and whether or not we have in fact accomplished what we want to do.
2. Others expressed concern about whether or not the County and City were responding to resident's complaints especially of storm water management and neglected properties. It was noted that Wicomico County Public Works phone number is 410-548-4810 and Planning and Zoning Code Enforcement - 410-548-4860.
3. Shelton Lankford suggested that the WNC members could collective recommend policy to the City and to the County decision makers.
4. Dot Truitt advised that she has concerns about results of court cases and whether or not the judges are being too lenient. It was noted that we had discussed this before and would like to have the states attorney give us insight into the workings of the court system.
5. President Cindy Pilchard said about 15 neighborhood crime watch programs have been organized as a result of the WNC promotions. It was also noted that the Smart Growth Day seminar is now on our website and Wicomico Environmental Trust has the Energy Forum available on their website.
6. David MacLeod said he has been a long supporter of bike paths and trails.

Additional subjects included the Canada Geese problem, ditches, storm water management ponds, weeds and power lines and rights-of-way.

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VIII. ADJOURNMENT: By motion of Robert Hocutt seconded by Shelton Lankford and carried, the general meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.
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IX. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of the WNC is scheduled for July 27, 2010 at 6:30 PM. All members will be notified of the location in the near future.

Secretary,

Mary Jane Marine