Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

WNC COMMITTEES: (1) Community Concerns - Joe Austin, Dot Truitt, John Bonas Dexter Lunsford, R. Burnett,and S.Purnell (2) Convention and Forums - M. Pretl, Lena Wallop, D. Macleod, S.Lankford; (3) Recruitment and Membership - Chair Cindy Pilchard & Vice Chair Mike Pretl; and, (4) Website Development - Kurt Drechsler, Terry Potterton and D. Campbell (5) HOA Workshop Development-- K. Drechsler, S. Miller and T. Potterton (6) Covenants and Bylaws: M. Pretl, B. Leonard, and A. Ackerson (7) External Communication-C. Pilchard and B. Hocutt (8) Annual Dinner and Conference-M.J. Marine, B.Johansson, D. Truitt, C. Pilchard, D. Macleod, and R.Oartel.

I. PRESENT: Angela Ackerson (Barrington Ridge), John Bonas (Meadowbrook), Kurt Sr. Drechsler (Harbour Pointe), Bob and Winona Hocutt (Schumaker Woods), Bill and Janice Hughes (Delmar), Emory and Barbara Leonard (Deer Harbour), Steve Miller (Tony Tank Creek), Cindy Pilchard (Schumaker Woods), Terry Potterton (Wolfe Creek) Mike Pretl (Riverton), Dot Truitt (Eireanne Mohr) and Lena Wallop (West Side). ________________________________________________________________________

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 July 27, 2010 were approved after a minor correction was made. ________________________________________________________________________

IV. TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Lena Wallop reported a checking account balance of $1,070.72. Cindy said that we need to send out bills for annual dues. HOA dues are $25, individuals, $10. Mike said that new members would pay for the current year unless they join near the end of a calendar year. ________________________________________________________________

V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Report/Update - Community Concerns Committee
. The committee had nothing new to report at this time.

2. Web-site Update - Terry passed out a chart covering website usage during the year and first two weeks of August. There were 89 visits so far in August averaging 32.55 hits per visit. This level of usage was higher than expected, and it shows that there is valuable information available at the website.

3 HOA Workshop Report - Kurt Drechsler reminded the group 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. Speakers will be George Kreiner and Larry Horseman.

4 Government Filings - Vice Chair Mike Pretl reported that we have received no response as yet to our filing request for a 501 c3 but that he foresees no problems.

5. 1st Annual WNC Dinner & Presentation at SU October 26. Dot Truitt has arranged for the dinner to be held in the Worcester Room or another room on the second floor. The menu will include chicken champagne, London broil, assorted sides and dessert. The cost will be $35--$40. Kurt has arranged for "Cod-liver Charlie" Paparella to speak at the event. Dot and the committee will continue to work on the details necessary for a successful event.
6. Nominating Committee - Chair Cindy Pilchard said that a potential nominee for secretary has been identified, Mary K Davis. Janice Hughes is to call to see if she will accept the nomination.

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VI. NEW BUSINESS:

1. State's Attorney Candidates Forum: Mike Pretl has arranged a forum for these candidates-Davis Ruark, W. Seth Mitchell and Matthew A. Maciarello-to be held at the MAC auditorium on September 1 at 7:00 PM. There will be four panelists and a moderator. The event will be covered by PAC 14 and the Daily Times. Mike said that we should do other forums after the primary elections.

2. Committee Break-out Sessions.
Cindy asked the committee members available to take this opportunity to break out and discuss their respective concerns. Bob Hocutt volunteered for the External Communications Committee and met with Cindy to discuss the possibility of a WNC newsletter.

Cindy reconvened the general session at 7:40. She asked that committees keep notes and update the general membership from time to time. She also stressed that WNC leadership will try to provide complete information about events and activities to all members whether or not they have computers.

Terry gave a demonstration of website resources.

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

Questions were raised about the status of HOAs that may get into trouble. Mike said that no HOA has been taken over by Wicomico County and that the state would serve as repository for records from a defunct HOA.

Dot initiated a discussion about possible problems resulting from the high number of busses that will be using S. Division Street in order to provide service to students at the new Bennett HS. Members agreed that there would be problems even though possible solutions are in the works. A lot is not known about this developing situation.

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VIII. ADJOURNMENT:

By motion of Mike Pretl, seconded by Bob Hocutt and carried, the general meeting was adjourned timely. The next meeting is scheduled for
September 28, 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

(Errors and omissions are the responsibility of the undersigned. No other person, living or dead, may be blamed.)

Bob Hocutt