HOOD CANAL IMPROVEMENT CLUB MEMBERS, DECEMBER 2009

HOOD CANAL IMPROVEMENT CLUB

DECEMBER 2009 MINUTES

The meeting of the Hood Canal Improvement Club was called to order at 7:10 p.m. President McArthur led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. We all gathered near the Christmas decorations for a group photo that will be uploaded to the HCIC blog - address to the blog is www.hcicmasonco.blogspot.com

The minutes from the November 2009 meeting were approved as presented. The Treasurer’s repot was approved as presented. Gordon Barrett asked if we had enough members for a quorum, and after checking it was determined that we did (need 10 non-board members in good standing for a quorum).

Richard then introduced our guest speaker for the evening, Merridee Anderson from the Area Agency on Aging. Merridee spoke to us about the current open enrollment period for Medicare that is causing much confusion and concern to people affected by the changes. She told the group that she is setting up private appointments for people so that they can have their particular questions answered with as little trouble as possible. She said that Pastor Terry had offered to have appointments available at the NCCU office and will be setting up a time in the near future to assist people with their concerns. Merridee provided materials that may help people understand their best options regarding Medicare, and answered questions from several members. Everyone appreciated having this great resource in Merridee available to our club and community and thanked her for generously sharing her time with us. She can be reached at 360.427.2225 ext 11, or via email at anderma@dshs.wa.gov.

Richard then explained that due to a family emergency Andrea Close would not be able to be at the meeting to tell us about the volunteer program at Hood Canal School. We will see if she can come to the January meeting.

Old Business:

Richard reported on the progress the Club has made in bringing the HCIC Dalby Road land donation project to a conclusion. He said that a couple of needed changes have been made by NCCU and that Ed Binder has them in his computer, ready to be printed out so that we can sign the documents and take them to Dave Bailey, attorney for Mason County Title Company to be finished and recorded. Richard thought that we could have a “signing party” at the January meeting as a way of celebrating the conclusion of the project to transfer the HCIC land to the NCCU. Charles Johnson asked to be notified when the documents have been recorded so that he can cancel the club’s insurance policy for the land. Val Johnson said we should all give Ed Binder a big round of applause (which we did) for his unwavering shepherding of the project from beginning to end. Everyone expressed their appreciation to Ed for the fine job he has done.

Richard reported on the S.R.106 signs we intend to have created for eastbound and westbound traffic that will alert travelers to the Dalby Waterwheel. He said that Mason County won’t allow any sign to be placed in a drainage ditch, so we will have to look for a place that will be visible and on higher ground for the signs for the eastbound traffic. He said that Brian McGinnis had already given permission for a sign to be placed on Alderbrook property for westbound travelers, so a small group of volunteers will search out a good site to place the eastbound sign. We have already voted to complete this project, so once a good location is determined, we will proceed to have the signs fabricated and placed.

New Business:

Hood Canal School Principal Tom Churchill is sending Richard information about the school levy scheduled for a vote in February 2010, and would like an opportunity to speak to the club on the issues pertinent to the levy. He wanted it to be clear that he is not taking a position of advocacy for or against the levy, but would like the chance to discuss it with us. Richard will see if he can speak to the group at the January meeting.

Pastor Terry Oliver said that NCCU parishoner Barbara Kreloch is in the southwest taking natural treatments for cancer, and plans to be there for a few months, hoping that it will improve her situation.

Betty Woods said that she had sent a get-well card to Henry Biernacki, who will be released from Mason General Hospital on Wednesday, and a sympathy card to Pat Orr whose brother Byron Winne recently passed away.

Val Johnson asked if the members had had a chance to see the new HCIC blog, and inquired if people who had requested the minutes be emailed to them would be okay with reading them on the blog instead. As there was no response she will continue emailing the minutes to those who have requested them to be sent.

President McArthur asked for people to volunteer to host the January meeting and Bill Viger, Ed Binder, Richard and Jolene McArthur volunteered, and were sincerely thanked. Richard thanked our evening’s hosts Ed Binder, Terry Oliver, Richard and Jolene McArthur who pinch-hitted for the Biernackis when Henry took ill over the weekend.

As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Johnson

Secretary