Meeting Notes from Indivisible Dorchester – Environment Subcommittee Friday, November 10, 2017 10:00 – 11:30 am 217 Linthicum Drive Cambridge 21613
Attendees: Susan Olsen, Mike Brown, Beth Ann Lynch, Peg Anzalone, Alan Girard, CBF Eastern Shore Dir.
Old Business
WHCP-LP 101.5 continues to record and broadcast environmental pieces among members of the Cambridge Clean Action Advisory Committee (CCWAC).
Group discussed topics of interest, including recycling and how citizens can support clean water without a county (Dorchester) commitment to a Watershed Improvement Plan (WIP). Status of Cambridge discussed.
Susan Olsen continues to work on a piece on recycling. Recently, she met with the Dorchester County’s new Public Works Director, Ryan White.
Alan Girard explained continued appreciation by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) shown to U.S Rep. Andy Harris during the House budget bill’s votes. Asked what ID-E can do to support continued funding of the Chesapeake Bay Program, he urges members to identify/reach out to people whose business depends on a healthy Bay, and get them to call Rep. Harris and show support for continued funding. CBF meets with Harris’ staff on 11/28.
CBF’s Blueprint Action Group meets next on Friday, December 1 9:30 am to 1:30 pm Environmental Center in Easton. 114 South Washington St. to discuss Phase 2 of Watershed Improvement Plans (WIPS*) and move on to Phase 3 to accomplish Maryland’s clean water goals. Dorchester government staff most likely will not attend. Cecil, Caroline, Talbot, Wicomico and others will. Gov. Hogan, unlike O’Malley, isn’t requiring much of the counties. (Beth Ann Lynch for DCPG, Mike Brown for ID-E will attend)
Big attendance at Avalon, good at Easton Cinema, sparse at Cambridge for Chesapeake Film Festival on Friday October 27 through Sunday October 29.
New Business
--Tuesday, Nov. 28 “An Inconvenient Sequel:Truth to Power” 2 showings: 3 p.m., 6 p.m. No charge and open to public at the Dorchester Central Library. ID-E members discussed the possibility of showing monthly environmental films. Ask ID members to share.
--Rep. Harris Town Hall on Tax Bill 4-5 p.m. Wicomico High School 201 Long Ave., Salisbury. Read Mike Brown’s StarDem pieces on Oct. 10, Nov. 1, 7. Also. W. Post 11-08. The tax bills directly affect environment. Susan may make copies for Town Hall Meet. Mike Brown “Convenient lapses in memory about Reagan” Nov.1, 2017 StarDem. “Real facts about Reagan tax cuts” Mike Brown Nov. 7 StarDem. “Harris votes against the Bay again” Mike Brown Oct. 10, 2017 StarDem.
Recommended by MBrown: (1)Nominee to head the White House Council on Environmental Policy - a climate denier currently undergoing confirmation hearings; good links to National Climate Assessment 4 Report:
(2) US isolation from the rest of the world on climate change. Last remaining holdout on Paris Accord, Syria of all countries, has joined:
Next meet Fri., Dec. 8 11:00 – 12:30pm 217 Linthicum Drive c/o Peg 410-901-9656, 360-434-2998
Notes submitted by Peg Anzalone November 11, 2017