Town of Cary, North Carolina

SISTER CITIES COMMISSION

Minutes of September 20th, 2001 Meeting

Present: Barry Mitsch, Samuel Fudzie, Nadatte Weltering, Ildiko Trombitas, Sarah Sheffield, Janice Stolzenberg, Sharon Hannigan, and Terry Scott Town of Cary staff, Wendell Whalley and Mike Ostrom president and vice president respectively of the Cary High School Band.

The meeting was called to order at 6.35 p.m.

Previous Meeting: Barry Mitsch motioned that if were no corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting that were e-mailed to the members by the secretary to the commission, the minutes should be accepted. Members pointed out that Barry Mitsch's first name should read Barry instead of 'Marry' as was misspelled in the minutes. Ildiko Trombitas seconded the motion for the minutes to be accepted. Members unanimously accepted the minutes.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS): Barry called on Ms Terry Scott to present to the members information on the GIS. Terry explained to the members that the Geographical Information Systems involves mapping out areas that will allow comparing the area to the GIS map of other locations of similar interests. She informed members that November 14, 2001 will be observed as the 2001 GIS day. She told the members that the Town of Cary did not participate in the year 2000 GIS day. Terry further informed the members that the purpose of her attending the meeting was to find out from the Commission if the members would be interested in doing a GIS map for the 2001 GIS day on the Town of Cary, that would be compared with the GIS map of the County of Meath, Ireland, which is a sister city of Cary. The GIS project will map out and compare, among other things, the streets, population, and present and future land uses of the two sister cities .

Sharon Hannigan commented that GIS map showing roads, the downtown, population, land use and parks will be of interest to both towns. Terry informed the members of the commission that she plans to involve K1 to grade 12 Town of Cary students in the GIS project. Terry further said that she plans to ask the students to suggest other information to be mapped as part of the GIS day project.

Barry gave Kevin of County of Meath's name to Terry to liaison with in regards to the GIS project to involve the two Sister Cities.

Cary High School Band: Mr. Wendell, president of the Cary High School Band spoke on the band's plans to make a trip to County of Meath during 2004. Among the questions asked by Mr. Wendell and Mr. Ostrom were does the County of Meath have enough hotel rooms and other facilities available to accommodate approximately 165 kids and chaperons for the planned five-day trip? Sharon, the Commission's liaison for the County of Meath, was asked to initiate communications with Kevin regarding the band's planned trip to the County of Meath. It was suggested that Sharon should contact Kevin to find out the types of performances (parade, jazz or concert) that the County of Meath might be interested in having the Cary Band perform during the five-day trip.

Kevin's contact information was given to both Mr. Whalley and Mr. Ostrom for them to initiate communication with the County of Meath.

2002 St Patrick's Day: Sharon was asked to check with Kevin on information relating to 2002 St Patrick's Day Celebrations. The information is needed to assist in Commission plans to organize a trip to the County of Meath.

Markham: Barry informed the members that Mr. Bill Coleman, Cary Town Manager, Mr. Howard Johnson. President of the Cary Chamber of Commerce, and Barry Mitch, Chairperson of the Cary Sister Cities Commission, have scheduled the exploratory visit to Markham for October 24/25th, 2001.

Town Catalogue: Sarah, Sharon and Nadette presented to the members the Town of Cary an information catalogue that they had compiled. The catalogue lists Cary Chamber of Commerce under BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; Leagues, Camps, Associations, Cheerleading, Fitness Programs, Health Clubs. Martial Arts, Golf Courses, and Gymnastics Instructions under SPORTS AND FITNESS; Visual Arts, Collectors, Craft Associations, Music, Dance, Drama, Literature, Preservation, Heritage, Public Interdisciplinary Cultural Programs, Nature Education, Teen Programs and Senior Programs under CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS; and, the Schools with their respective principals serving Cary under EDUCATION.

Members commended the three colleagues for a job well done in compiling the information catalogue.

Lazy Daze: Sarah reminded the members that application for funds to participate in 2002 Lazy Daze are expected to be put in with the Town.

Other Businesses: Nadette suggested to the Commission to consider putting together an ESL camp to which students from the three sister cities could be invited.

Other suggestions aimed at maintaining the link and communication between the students that visited with the Town and those who will visit the Town in the future include setting up a pen pal program between the visiting students and students from the Town of Cary.

The meeting was adjourned at 6.40 p.m.

The Commission's next meeting will be October 18, 2001. Barry informed the members that he will be out of town on business October 18th and therefore will not be able to attend the meeting. Barry asked Sarah Sheffield if she could chair the October 18th meeting. Sarah agreed to chair the meeting.