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. CALL TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Mike Pretl called the meeting to order at 6:40PM.

II. PRESENT: Angela Ackerson (Barrington Ridge), Ruth Anne Oartel (Schumaker Manor), Barbara Leonard (Deer Harbour), Terry Potterton (Wolfe Creek) Mike Pretl (Riverton), Dot Truitt (Eireanne Mohr) and Lena Wallop (West Side).

III. Announcement: Mike Pretl announced that Nell Baldwin would be added to the agenda to make a short presentation on arsenic in food.

IV. MINUTES: The minutes of August 24, 2010 were approved.

V. TREASURER'S REPORT:

Treasurer Lena Wallop reported a checking account balance of $570.72 after paying the $100 fee for the MAC Center room used for the States Attorney forum. There is one outstanding bill for printing associated with the WNC Dinner.

VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS -  Goals for 2010-2011 from last meeting/Reports & Committee Chairs:

1. Neighborhood/Community Concerns - "The Letter" - Dot discussed the letter that the Community Concerns Committee has prepared. The decision was to forward the letter to the membership for comment. Mike Pretl is to forward the County Comprehensive Plan for comment on the crime prevention aspects. Angela suggested that she would help with a grant for the crime effort. Barbara said she recently saw an excellent presentation from the Wicomico State Attorney's office on the issues associated with nol pros, stet doc and other terms often see in court reports.

2. Membership Recruitment - No Report

3. Website development - Terry noted that it had been proposed that the information concerning the cleaning of ditches be included in the WNC webpage. Kurt and Terry have concerns about listing the various landscaping services without any vetting process. The conclusion was to not list the names of landscaping services on the webpage.

4. HOA Workshop Development - The Chair requested that the HOA Committee take a look at the issues associated with the recent Stormwater management issues.

5. Conventions/Forums - Mike reported that he is arranging a candidates' forum for the County Council candidates who have competition. The Forum will be held at WorWic Tech in the Guerrieri Hall on Monday Oct 18, 2010 at 7:00 pm. The moderator will be Don Rush from WSDL.

6. Covenants & Bylaws - Mike and Angela discussed the draft WNC bylaws and suggested that it was time to share with the membership.

7. External Communications - No Report

8. 2010 Dinner & Conference . 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. Kurt has arranged for "Cod-liver Charlie" Paparella to speak at the event. We need to get a final attendance count soon.

VII. Old Business:

1. Government Filings - Vice Chair Mike Pretl reported that we have received two responses to our filing request for a 501 (c) 3. The IRS is pushing to designate the WNC as a 501(c) 4 civic organization.

VIII. New Business

1. West Road Dump Site - Pollution to our land and drinking water. Mike announced that he had been advised MDE will be investigating the site.
2. Food & Water Watch - Nelly Baldwin gave a presentation on the prevalence of arsenic in chicken. Arsenic is used as a feed additive by some companies and results in arsenic being present in the meat and in the manure. Several health concerns are related to arsenic ingestion. Ms. Baldwin noted that Purdue has not used arsenic in their feed since 2007. She requested that the WNC indorse the Food and Water Watch legislative efforts. The group opinion was to get a presentation from the poultry growers association before proceeding.

IX. Comments, Questions& Concerns - Good for the Order

X. Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm. The 1st Annual Dinner & Conference will be at SU - October 26th. .Next Business Meeting is November 23rd 2010 28 (4th Tuesdays).