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Anne Arundel
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Anne Arundel
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Following introductions, the meeting at South County Police Headquarters began at 7:10pm with officers reports. With the Secretary absent, we dispensed with the reading of the minutes from the previous meeting. Instead, President Whitcomb summarized the meeting, annual election of Directors, and that the officers for 2006 were himself, Paul Rickett as Vice President, Jay Phillips continuing as Treasurer, and Carlene Heminger as Secretary. Jay Phillips provided a Treasurer's report, indicating that AAWRA now had an account at BB&T. For 2005, we had $571 in paid dues, offset by $230 in organizational expenses, for a year-end balance of $341. He and Bill Edmonston were still working to finish the 501(c)4 filing. He had obtained agreement from the DCET Board of Directors to create a charitable (501(c)3)) fund for AAWRA, enabling individuals to make tax-free donations to AAWRA, and Paul Rickett and Bob Whitcomb each set an example with $500 donations for 2006. President Whitcomb encouraged other Directors to also make donations through DCET, to give our Treasury a good start for this year. Bob Whitcomb then gave a report of the meetings and lobbying appearances that representatives of AAWRA had attended during this session of the Maryland General Assembly. These began with a meeting January 9 with Delegate Cadden and communications that week with Delegate Leopold. We are supporting both Delegates bills to reimburse the Waterway Improvement Fund for the $27million borrowed in past years. We also provided both with a list of issues about the recently published Waterway Improvement Fund Grants Manual, and both forwarded these to Bob Gaudette of DNR. Copies of his lengthy response were distributed tonight, and discussed, and it was agreed we had pursued this issue, especially about boat counts, as far as politically practical in the current Session. Bob Whitcomb, Vern Penner, and Geoff Thomas all met on February 1 with Senators Astle and DeGrange. Both Senators were very receptive to our issues, and particularly Sen. De Grange, as Chair of the Senate Budget Committee was asked to research alternative funding for dredging and restoring creeks that may not meet DRN criteria. AAWRA had some of the same trio testify at the House Appropriations Committee on February 7, 21, and 27 on behalf of the bills to restore funds to the WIF. We also were present, to support Bob Gaudette, during testimony for the DNR budget at the Senate on February 21, and at the House on February 22. This completes the primary 2006 State lobbying efforts, although we will stay alert as to whether any bill to reimburse funds to the WIF gets out of Committee, in which case additional testimony may be needed. The success of all this lobbying was evident when the Assembly released a list of the projects that would be funded for dredging in FY07, as publicized in the Capital on February 18. The list has since been confirmed as matching the County's request list, by the County's Chief Engineer, Chris Phipps, in telephone conversations with Bob Whitcomb. This publication by the Assembly is fully three months earlier this year. The discussion then turned to how best to lobby the County to ensure matching funds and included in the County's budget. A meeting is already scheduled for March 6 with the Chair of the County Council, Ed Reilly, and several members indicated their interest in attending. It was suggested that we learn where fines levied for critical area violations go. Perhaps these monies could be directed to rebuild the WIF, or the County's match. It was also suggested we learn how Virginia budgets for dredging projects. There is also a presentation scheduled on March 24 to the entire Anne Arundel Delegation to the General Assembly, and all Directors are invited to attend. Jay Phillips made a motion, seconded by Paul Rickett, that individuals donating more than $100 be given lifetime individual memberships. He relayed an offer by Bill Edmonston to forgive the over $100 in additional organizational fees, in return for this lifetime membership, and everyone gladly accepted the offer. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm. Attending this meeting were: Bob Whitcomb/Saefern Jay Phillips, DCET Geoff Thomas/Admiral Heights Mike Geers, Loch Haven Paul & Gloria Rickett, Broadwater Farms Christine Reinert, Poplar Point Elish Moore, Deale Beach Pat Nolan, Broadneck Federation Bill Edmonston, South River Park Rhonda Harris, Brady Cover |