Minutes of General Meeting of The Charlotte Area Green Party.
November 10, 2001
Written and Submitted by Kathryn Kuppers, coclerk

  • Kajur Washburn read the minutes from the October meeting.
  • There was a short discussion of adopt-a-highway options. The CAGP will not pursue adopting a section of I-77, because we would be required to hire it done. Mark Ortiz indicated he would pursue adopting Turkey Road in Kannapolis, NC. Kathryn Kuppers decided not to adopt Sam Black Road in Midland.
  • Mark Ortiz gave the treasurer's report. We have $249.50 in checking and $41.61 in cash. It was determined that we did have a quorum at the October meeting and therefore payments to Alan Burns and Steve Tafel were properly approved. So checks will be issued to reimburse Alan and Steve for expenses they incurred.
  • Four members who participated in a stream cleanup the morning before the meeting reported on their efforts. Mark Ortiz, Harry Phillips, Kajur Washburn, and Kathryn Kuppers cleaned up a stretch of Little Sugar Creek in Charlotte from Baxter Street to Fourth Street. It was hard but fun work and gave all those who participated a sense of accomplishment. The water was cleaner than expected and even hosted some ducks and minnows. However that stretch needs landscaping and further cleanup of really heavy objects such as heavy equipment tires that we could not haul out. Also one part of the stretch is covered by a parking lot so it obviously needs major re-landscaping. The meeting decided to have the Adopt-A-Stream sign with the CAGP web site on it be posted on Fourth Street.
  • Kathryn Kuppers reported on CAGP current membership list. It was decided that the clerks will publish an updated list of active members prior to each monthly meeting so that we can know ahead of time how many members it will take for a quorum at that meeting. The reason we have the stricter than usual definition for our voting members is so that we do not have the usual problem obtaining a quorum at our meetings.
  • It was decided that a revision of the bylaws would be voted on at the December meeting. The revision would require a quorum and 2/3 majority vote for ratification of position papers.
  • Mark Ortiz's position paper on the War on Terrorism was ratified . See it here.
  • Nancy Pierce Shaver, a neighborhood activist who lives off Central Avenue in Charlotte, addressed the meeting about the city's neighborhood planning and zoning. She says there is no need for more "affordable housing" for homebuyers. In fact she suggests such housing has been overbuilt. However there is a great need for "assisted" rental housing, where part of the rent is subsidized by the government. She proposes scattering "assisted housing" more evenly throughout the city, and keeping the size of the projects limited to 50 units. Nancy does not support bussing She also does not support "the density bonus" which the Real Estate and Building Coalition are keen on. This proposal would allow developers to build homes on lots as small as 1/8 acre if they set aside green spaces. Nancy says the green spaces are not large enough and would not be interconnected. She very much wants to see bike and walking trails throughout the city. Also Ms. Shaver wants to limit high-density development at transit stations if the neighborhood is already stressed by economic decline. She encouraged everyone to call the city council members about these issues. Her email address is nancypierce@carolina.rr.com.
  • Greg Jocoy of Fort Mill presented an idea for fundraising. He wants the CAGP, South Carolina Citizen's Party, and Winthrop University to jointly host Peggy Seegers (Pete Seegers' sister) and Nora Guthrie(Woody's daughter). They would lecture and perform in Rock Hill and Charlotte. He is thinking about planning for an April event.
  • The date of the next meeting of The Charlotte Area Green Party was announced as Saturday, December 8, 2001.
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