The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman and the invocation was given by Rev. Senley Jack. Motion to approve minutes of the January meeting, Bob Lamar, seconded by Lou Ismay, passed. The agenda was approved with addition of two announcements.
Treasurer’s Report. In the absence of Gene Rowland, Ed Bloch reported that 38 people responded to the request for honorary listing and many have already paid. Also 24 people have paid dues. Report was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Electoral/Campaign Reform Joe Seeman reported that many are concerned because the new voting machines are definitely vulnerable and it would be better to have a system with a paper trail. There is a system where they use an optical scan of a paper ballot. HAVA (Help America Vote Act) proposes use of this system. The old mechanical machines will be replaced, the question is, by what? There is also a touch screen method but there is no paper record. There is a press conference planned on the Concourse and there will be a demonstration of the optical scan machines.
Joe said they needed volunteers for the Interfaith Dialogs project.
Violence/Anger Management - John Amidon will be back tomorrow
ARISE/ Economic and Criminal Justice. Joyce H. not present.
Dr. Trudi Renwick, Senior Economist, Fiscal Policy Institute, was introduced. She distributed an information publication from The Fiscal Policy Institute on Social Security. She said there is no “Social Security Crisis”. Conservative estimates are that there will be a surplus until 2042 or 2052. These estimates are based on an assumed rate of growth of the economy half of what has been occurring [The budget deficit is almost equal to the tax cuts plus the cost of the war ] The President's plan would make things worse, not better, because it would reduce the amount paid in.
His plan would triple the number of elderly living in poverty. Since the plan now takes into account increases in salaries and cost of living, people investing their own money would end out with less, not more. There would be a 30% increase in administrative cost, which would primarily go to investment firms. Only minor adjustments to the present system are needed. It should be remembered that it is not just a retirement system but a safety net and serves to stabilize the economy because in down turns people still receive their S.S. checks.
A loose coalition to support SS has been formed and seems to be working well.
Executive Committee
Dinner Plans: 38 people are now on the Honorary Committee. Others can still sign on if they contact Deb soon.(356-5810). Tickets will be $40. Rabbi Leon Klenicki and Rev. Welton Gaddy will be speakers. Volunteers will be needed during the first week of March for making preparations (contact Ed or Deb).
John Amidon refused the money offered by the executive committee from the grant because the trip to Columbia is not the purpose of the grant. Motion was made and passed to ratify the gift made by the executive committee. A motion was made by Bob Lamar to authorize the executive committee to give John an additional amount up to $200 if more is needed. Motion was passed.
Bob Lamar said that at the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church USA they considered selective divestment in American companies doing business in Israel. The Jewish community reacted and this has developed into a good opportunity for dialog. When asked if the Palestinian perspective was represented, he said that the local Palestinian community is small but the concerns are represented by others.
Anne Marfey told us about the celebrations planned for the 200 year anniversary of famous Danish story teller, Hans Christian Anderson.
Lou Ismay said he was dismayed to find that some young people think all press releases should go through the White House! (no first amendment?)
Pat Beetle told about a program on Depleted Uranium and the problems that are caused by it.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:40.
Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff
Next Executive Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m Monday February 28th at Friendly's, Rte 7.
Next Membership Meeting 9:00 a.m March 14, 2005, Latham Community Baptist Church.
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