May 17, 2019
Minutes WNCPSR Meetings
May 17, 2019
Attendees: Terry Clark, Lew Patrie, Leslie Poplawskie, Dot Sulock, Scott Baker, Phil Biessi, Bert Crain.
Unable to attend: Mary Olson, Beth Gilman, Brita Clark
Meeting held at home of Leslie Poplawskie. Thank you to Leslie.
I.) Approval, as written, minutes of April 26, 2019
II.) Treasurer’s report, balance $4,177.29 Lew
III.) Business:
1. - Committee on Nuclear Abolition report by Bert,
“Back from the Brink” project continues to gain support from municipalities and organizations. Goal is to have this project serve as the nuclear weapons part of “The Green New Deal”
-Important legislation to support and communicate with public and legislators: HR 921, “No First Use” sponsored by Rep. Adam Smith, Washington State.
-Other bill to support: “Bill of 2019, to Stop the Arms Race sponsored by Jeff Merkley of Oregon ...(find in CAN e-mail)
-Also support elimination of the 5 Kilo-ton weapon program of The National Defense Authorization Act.
2. - WNCPSR Chapter Project : request to Asheville City Council for endorsement of “Back from the Brink, a Call to Prevent Nuclear War” Resolution
Material distributed:
-Proposed draft of Resolution to submit to Asheville City Council
- Suggested draft of Letter of introduction to council members
-PSR one page document for reference
-talking points reviewed and will be distributed…..
www.preventnuclearwar.org is a website that keeps track of which municipalities and organization have endorsed the resolution
- Action: We assigned which members of the group, mostly as two person teams will meet with each City Council member to brief them and request their support of the proposal that we will present to Asheville City Council
Goal: accomplish these meetings with individual council members in the next 3 weeks and get on the schedule of City Council to set a date for presentation of request to endorse the Back from the Brink Resolution. Terry will contact Mayor’s office to get on City Council Schedule
Meetings with individual Asheville City Council members: Assignment of which of chapter members will meet independently with each council member: The members assigned to meet with each council member will set up their meeting. Contact information is available on the Asheville City Council Website
Mayor Esther Manheimer, already met
Vice Mayor, Councilwoman Gwen Wisler….Leslie, Scott
Councilman Brian Haynes….Bert and either Phil Neiheisel of Dot Sulock
Councilman Vijay Kapoor…..Lew and Mary or other
Councilwoman Julie Mayfield….Terry and Phil Bisesi
Councilwoman Sheneika Smith….Dot Sulock
Councilman Keith Young…..Bert, Dot Sulock
3.- Eleanor Holmes Norton reintroduced a new version of
"Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Economic and Energy Conversion Act"
which proposes to take trillions of $’s from nuclear weapons programs for transformation to a carbon-free, nuclear-free economy. Review and consider for letter to legislators.
4.- “Cherry Tree Project” Planting a cherry tree in memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki victims...need more discussion and establish a plan. Put on agenda for next chapter meeting. Leslie
5.-Iran, letters, phone calls. Time did not permit us to address this item
6.Next meeting on Friday, June 21, 2019 at usual time, 12:00 til 2:00, location: First Congregational United Church of Christ, 20 Oak St. in downtown Asheville
- Respectfully submitted
Terry Clark
