Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

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 - Chair Cindy Pilchard & Vice Chair Mike Pretl; and,
(4) Website - Kurt Drechsler and Terry Potterton.

I. PRESENT: John Bonas (Meadowbrook), Kurt Sr. Drechsler (Harbour Pointe, Janice Hughes (Delmar), David MacLeod (Hunting Park), Barbara Leonard (Deer Harbour) Mary Jane Marine (Sharptown), Ruth Anne Oartel (Schumaker Manor) Cindy Pilchard (Schumaker Woods), Terry Potterton (Wolfe Creek) Mike Pretl (Riverton), Dot Truitt (Eireanne Mohr) and Lena Wallop ________________________________________________________________________

II. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cindy Pilchard called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM.
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III. MINUTES: The minutes of June 22, 2010 were corrected as follows:

Item V, Section 3: Chair Cindy Pilchard said she has been advised by Vice-Chair Mike Pretl that the WNC "has not received 501 (c) 3 statuses as yet. We have received a Federal Identification Number".
Item VI, Section 3: changed to state:"... primary will be September 14 and the general election on November 2". By motion John Bonas, seconded by Ruth Anne Oartel and carried, the minutes of June 22, 2010 were approved as amended.

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IV. TREASURER'S REPORT:

Treasurer Lena Wallop reported a checking account balance of $1,010.72. She said that a check in the amount of $400.00 will be written to cover the cost of filing the 501(c) 3 documents.

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Report/Update - Community Concerns Committee (Austin, Truitt, Bonas, Lunsford & Widdowson). Dot Truitt reported on the 28 responses received from the questioners (QUESTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE WICOMICO NEIGHBORHOOD CONGRESS MAY, 2010 )She noted the following from the committee's analysis ranked from a very strong to less strongly to weakly response as noted:

From the Highest Means: Violent crime (dislike); Develop Coalition; Rural character (like) Lobby Politicians; Access to recreation (like); Letters to government officials; Seek grants; Monitor criminal justice; Friendly people (like) and Educational opportunities (like).

She said from the Lowest Means: the responses indicated as follows: Mount demonstrations; Government corruption (dislike), Water/sewer fees (dislike); Cultural attractions (like); Lack of cultural attractions (dislike); lack of public transportation (dislike0, Taxes (dislike); Community spirit (like) and Excess development (dislike).

It was noted the complete questionnaire results are attached hereto and become a part of these minutes. (A copy of the results can also be obtained by contacting Chair Cindy Pilchard)

Committeeman John Bonas reported that 28 responses from at least 60 possible members were disappointing and most respondents were within the Metro Core area. He noted the committee invites everyone to respond as additional data is needed including those within the more rural areas of the County.

The membership discussed the report and suggested we consider bringing folks in to our meetings to discuss their areas of expertise in the categories as noted by the responses. The questionnaire has a lot of information and crime seems to be a topic of concern whether one lives in Salisbury or further outside the town limits. The members also discussed the disappointment in judge's rulings on cases in the local courts and ways to gain insight into the procedure.

2. Web-site Update - Terry Potterton noted that the subject questioner is on the website. He will ask Donna how many hits we have had. He said the videos are also on the website. He encouraged others to respond to the questioner.

3. HOA Workshop Report - Kurt Drechsler advised that there will be an alternative energy open forum on August 26 at 6:30 PM at the Community Foundation Office. The workshop will address ways to lower electric bills including alternative energy. Kurt also suggested additional workshops may be helpful on subjects such as lawn services, landscaping and managing a community.

4. Government Filings - Vice Chair Mike Pretl reported that we now have a Federal ID Number. Further, today he received information from the IRS concerning WNC's application for 301 (c) 3 statuses. He expects the process to be finalized within 90 days.

5. 1st Annual WNC Dinner & Presentation @ SU September 25. It was noted that the date has been changed to October 26, the fourth Tuesday. That date has been confirmed for the Worcester Room with SU. Dot Truitt provided a suggested menu. . It was noted that a ticket would cost about $35.00. The membership decided that it would be acceptable to seek contributions from various businesses and in return acknowledge their support on the printed program. Kurt Drechsler said he would ask Charles Paparella if he would be our special guest speaker since he knew him personally.

6. Nominating Committee - Chair Cindy Pilchard said that Terry Potterton has graciously volunteered to serve as chair of the WNC for 2011, if elected. Mike Pretl and Lena Wallop said they would continue to serve if voted accordingly by the membership. The secretary advised that she would like someone to volunteer to give the job a try since she has been serving for two years.

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VI. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Sustainable Delmarva: Chair Pilchard asked the membership about the possibility of scheduling a "World Café" through the Sustainable Delmarva program. The group was in support of this program which is designed to strengthen communities but believed it to be somewhat premature to consider sponsoring one at this time and suggested the matter be revisited in the spring. It was clear with the membership the WNC would seek endorsement from the County with the possibility of use of resources but not ask for monetary support. Councilman MacLeod advised that the contact should begin with Rick Pollitt County Executive

2. Candidates Night: Scheduling candidates after the primary election for the position of county executive had been previously discussed. The group felt that those running for the "at large seats" should also be invited. It was then suggested that all those seeking districts positions should be included as well.

After discussion, a committee consisting of Vice Chair Pretl, David MacLeod, Shelton Lankford, and Janice Hughes, and Ruth Anne Oartel (to look into possibility of serving) volunteered to schedule a candidate's night, decide who, when and where, and the questions to be asked and advise every one of the details.

The group then discussed the criminal justice system specifically disappointment with the judges decisions on cases and how one could communicate with a judge. It was suggested that a representative from the court administration office could be a speaker at one of the WNC meetings or ask the States Attorney to provide insight into the procedure. It was decided that the committee organized to schedule the candidates night would also consider organizing another meeting with a speaker that would be able to make suggestions on addressing the WNC's concerns about the court system.

3. Shelton Lankford Suggestions: It was noted that the response to Shelton Lankford's request for getting the drainage ditch cut in Pemberton Ponds as communicated via email through the WNC membership was very successful and is preciously the way such networking becomes one of the many an advantages of belonging to a neighborhood congress.

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VII. Comments, Questions & Concerns - Good for the order:

1. Barbara Leonard noted that there is a problem in Harbour Point concerning ditches and maintaince. It was noted that the County no longer is able to do such work and that maintaince of storm water ponds and such is a county wide problem and likely the responsibility of the HOA

2. John Bonas asked abut the Recruitment Committee. He believes that folks are more apt to attend meetings were there are interesting programs and something to eat.

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VIII. ADJOURNMENT: By motion of Mary Jane Marine, seconded by Mike Pretl and carried, the general meeting was adjourned at 8:16 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for August 24, 2010 the fourth Tuesday, at 6:30 PM. At the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore office, East Park Professional Center Building, Suite # 401, East Park Drive off Belmont Avenue, Salisbury, MD.

Secretary,