I had held up on this, partially because Delmarva Dealings mentioned the Tuesday meeting soon after it happened and I was going to allow G.A. to take the lead on covering it and revising/extending his remarks. But he didn’t so I’ll pick up the baton.
As of the meeting last Tuesday, the steering committee for the WNC was dissolved and four new subcommittees were formed: Guidelines and Membership Structure, Community Concerns, Meetings/Convention, and Membership/Recruitment. Because I was one of the people who expressed an interest in the organization, I was at last Tuesday’s meeting. Unfortunately I’d say that only about half or so of the original number of those who expressed interest back in January were there. As G.A. pointed out, Shanie Shields was not there, nor were many of the other members of the minority community.
It took them about five months, but at last they’re getting into the reason I wanted to get into the WNC in the first place. Personally I’m not worried about diversity of membership or geography because I figure that if the group is a success people in the various neighborhood groups, condo associations, and interested individuals who live in the more spread-out rural areas will eventually clamor to join anyway and that will take care of most of those perceived diversity problems, which I’ll expound more on later. What I am worried about is the impact on my neighborhood of problems like crime, street lighting, and property upkeep, so I signed on the the Community Concerns committee. In truth, I was surprised that half the room wasn’t over there. I suppose there’s folks who like dictating membership, figuring logistics, or selling the WNC to a skeptical public and they’re more at home on other subgroups.
These new committees are slated to meet later this month, which also impacts the schedule I wanted to keep for my own neighborhood group. We’ll have to get together again before this meeting. In fact, I did get a couple extra applications for membership so if you’re affilated with a neighborhood group or an interested individual, let me know. I gave one to a co-worker of mine who’s in a condo association so hopefully they’ll join as well.
One item of the WNC report to Rick Pollitt that I found intriguing is that many of the actual nuts and bolts that were argued over ad nauseum during the steering committee process were punted to a later date. According to the report:
On September 30, 2008, the WNC will convene and will be charged by the WNC Steering Committee to establish its leadership. It will be the responsibility of the WNC to adopt formal bylaws (emphasis mine), to choose their leadership, and to adopt goals for the future as they see fit to do.
So they sort of followed my original suggestion – hey, it only took them five months to see the wisdom of my ways. Maybe having members walk out on them convinced them to see the light. Thus, for the time being the WNC goes by what it terms the “Draft Membership Structure”.
The only issue I have in that portion of the report goes back to the diversity question, which I believe takes care of itself if the WNC is successful. Their goals talk about “(an) emphasis on geographic, racial, and economic diversity.” I’m sorry to pee in their corn flakes, but chances are that a welfare mom isn’t exactly going to be the go-getter type that would be a joiner of the WNC. As I’ve stated before regarding the local bloggers and their excess of motivation, people who join these sorts of groups tend to be the types who join several other groups. Those who are happy laying around watching Oprah and the 1001 judge shows on TV are more likely to be on the lower end of the economic scale but not likely to be interested in putting the time in to join our group. They’ll be the ones who complain but that’s all they’ll do.
So that takes care of my diversity rant. Now that I’m through with that, I’m ready to get to discussing how we can solve the problems which plague my neighborhood and other parts of Wicomico County. We’ll see what our little group is capable of doing, even if it’s not the most diverse one out there.
hey michael,
the only thing that frightens me about the WNC is the trend to minimize private property rights. a majority rules mentality over the rights of the individual is not what this country was founded on. i will try to be at the meetings to voice my views, but can a lone voice be heard through the neighborhood wishes.
teeman
Mono-Mike:
With Michael Pretl in charge, this organization is going to be used by him to give the impression of wide support for his distorted notions of good planning and zoning as well as his socialist political views.
Shanie Shields has bailed because she could see nothing to be gained, personally or politically. As she has put it” “I ain’t stupid.”
Mono-Mike:
This is a “MUST-SEE”
http://www.sbynews.com/index.php/site/comments/trust_me_the_post_everyone_has_been_waiting_for/
I saw that, just now after watching the Shorebirds tonight (we won!) It reminds me of the commercial about the people that “almost give” – we’re almost ready to demolish the Old Mall.
And you have a good point teeman. I’m a believer in private property rights myself. My chief concern is when lack of upkeep becomes a trend. If you want to paint your house bright purple, I ain’t gonna care for it much but that’s your right. But if you’re hosting a crack house, then my right to a safe neighborhood trumps your private property rights.
my neighborhood association sort of died from apathy… i’m the slacker when it comes to lawn care, but with the ever increasing assessments coming and the increase in property taxes inevitable, property owners need fear holding on to their property from government seizure rather than a neighbor who may need financial help.
teeman
my crack hoes love the color purple.
The first Wicomico Neighborhood Congress convention is September 25, 2007 at Salisbury University – Guerrieri Center, Nanticoke Room at 7:00 PM. Please join us.