September 20, 2013

Present: Phil Bisesi, Brita Clark, Dr. Terry Clark, Dr. Stan Dienst, Beth Gilman, Steve Gilman, Mary Olson, Dr. Lew Patrie, Laura Sorenson

Lunch and refreshments began at 12 noon, and the business meeting followed at 12:30pm.

KEY BUSINESS:

1. The minutes for the WNC/PSR May 2013 meeting were posted on our website before this meeting. There was consensus to move forward to other business without further comment.

2. Terry reported that our chapter balance is $1,358.63.

3. In regard to the Nuclear Power and Nuclear Weapons class that was offered at UNCA to The College for Seniors, we plan to invite Dot Sulock to our next meeting. We hope to develop consensus on recommended next steps from a PSR national perspective.

4. Lew shared information for the Keep Space for Peace event at UNCA on Oct. 1. The event title is Attack of the Drones, Revolution or Evolution in Warfare with retired Major General Rick Devereaux. Our chapter’s request to co-sponsor this event was rejected.

5. The NRC public hearings for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) addressing short-term and long-term nuclear waste storage has been scheduled, and there was consensus to have our chapter co-sponsor a chartered bus from Asheville to Charlotte to protest the NRC statement. Our chapter authorized a $300 donation to help keep the per seat cost low ($15 per person). Both Mary and Laura are working out the details including firming up the date.

6. Lew provided information about many upcoming events that our chapter members may be interested in attending. Our chapter moved to request co-sponsoring the Oct. 8 event entitled Planned US Military Base on JeJu Island, South Korea.

7. Lew provided a petition addressing Shinzo Abe, Prime minister of Japan, calling for immediate action on the uncontrolled radioactive discharges at Tepco’s Fukushima nuclear power plant. All in attendance were encouraged to sign.

8. A flyer was passed around by Stan regarding the Sept. 21 International day of Peace event in Hendersonville.

9. Mary and Laura are planning an information session prior to the NRC public meeting in Charlotte, NC. The session will be on Oct. 17 at 6:30pm at the North Asheville Library, and additional details are being provided by Mary and Laura.

Next meeting: 12:00 pm Friday, Oct. 25, 2013 at the home of Steve and Beth Gilman (18 Birchwood Lane, Asheville).

Submitted by Steve Gilman, WNC/PSR chapter secretary

September 20, 2013

PREVENTING WHAT WE CANNOT CURE: Physicians for Social Responsibility is the medical and public health voice working to prevent the use or spread of nuclear weapons and to slow, stop and reverse global warming and the toxic degradation of the environment.