Town of Cary, North Carolina

SISTER CITIES COMMISSION

Minutes of October 18th, 2001 Meeting.

Present: Sarah Sheffield, Samuel Fudzie, Sharon Hannigan, Stephen Morrison, Tom Nugent, Terry Scott - Town of Cary staff, and Leslie Smith -Town of Cary resident.

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

Previous Minutes: Sarah Sheffield motioned for the minutes to be accepted. Sharon Hannigan seconded and the minutes of the September 20, 2001 meeting were accepted by the members.

Treasurer's Report - The was no treasurer's report present.

Introductions: Steve Morrison, one of the two new additions to the commission, introduced himself to the members. The other members likewise introduced themselves to Steve Morrison. Leslie Smith, a resident of the Town of Cary and an observer to the meeting, also introduced herself to the members. Leslie Smith told the members that she had recently moved into the Town of Cary from Fayetteville, North Carolina where she was a member of Fayetteville's Sister Cities Commission. Leslie currently teaches French at Green Hope High School.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS): Terry presented to the members an update of her Geographical Information Systems (GIS) project. She said that among other things, the GIS, which involves mapping out areas or locations that will allow comparing the mapped area to the GIS map of other locations of similar interests, is meant to educate the public as well as encourage students to study geography as a curriculum subject, and especially the GIS. She informed members that the Town of Cary uses GIS to map out such things as trash pick-up routes, greenways etc. Terry told the members that she is in touch with Mr. Michael Arthur who works on GIS for the County of Meath, the Sister City of Cary in Ireland. Michael uses the same GIS software for the mapping of the County of Meath as Cary uses. She said that for the 2001 GIS day (November 14, 2001) the Computer Class at Meredith College, Kingswood Elementary School, Davis Drive Elementary School, Cary Elementary School and Dillard Drive Elementary School have all agreed to participate in the project. Adams Elementary School declined to participate. Terry once again called on members of the commission to present her with ideas of subject and things to be included in the GIS map to be exchanged with the County of Meath.

Terry will do a power point presentation to the members of the commission on the GSI during the December 2001 meeting.

Cary High School Band: Sharon Hannigan informed the members that she had sent information on the band's proposed plan to visit the County of Meath during 2004. In regards to the possible coordination of the planned visit with the 2004 St Patrick's Day parade and other activities, Sharon informed the members that Kevin Steward of the County of Meath informed her that the person who does the programming for the St Patrick's Day activities will contact her. Tapes of the Cary High School Band will be sent to the County of Meath.

County of Meath: Sarah told members that Barry has asked her to check with American Airlines on air fares to Ireland for a possible organized trip there during Spring (March/April) 2002. Members suggested to Sarah to check into American Airlines possibly donating a round trip ticket to be used by the Commission as a promotion to generate interest in the 2002 planned trip to Ireland.

Markham: The inner-city trip to be organized by the Cary Chamber of Commerce and the Cary Sister Cities Commission is being planned for the first weekend in May 2002.

New Businesses:

a. Lazy Daze: Mr. Sarah Sheffield reminded the members that 2002 Lazy Daze grant application must be turned in by November 16, 2001. The members discussed the commission applying for the Grant to be used to support Cary Sister Cities students exchange programs.

b. Cary Sister Cities Association: Sharon informed the members that she had talked with Cary News on the Sister Cities Association to be listed under the non-profit associations in the Cary News newspaper. The listing in the Cary News will be part of membership drive efforts to get residents of the Town of Cary to become members of the association. Tom Nugent emphasized that prospective members will naturally consider benefits to be derived from being members of the association and, as such, both the commission and the association should come up with programs that will convince the prospective members to join the association.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.35 pm.

The commission's next meeting will be November 15, 2001.

By; Samuel Fudzie

Secretary - Sister Cities Commission