HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 - Annual Report 12/31/2008 To; Jack Sharpe, 2008 marks my fifth full year as executive director of the Greater Chambersburg 21st. Century Partnership. The following report is a summary of our activities along with some of my personal observations and a few recommendations for your consideration. Committees: I have included a separate report for each committee. As one can see, each had their own unique way of pursuing their goals. In my opinion, anything we can do to better guide and support the committee's efforts would be time well spent. Growth Management is without a chair and has not been meeting. Transportation is headed by Bob Thomas who is no longer a member and as near as I can tell has not called a meeting in some time. Moreover, once Franklin County has an RPO our role may change. The Education Committee lost Alan Koehler as its Chair. Pat Barbarowicz has been doing a great job but I believe, prefers not to be the official chair. We do not currently have an Economic Development Committee. The thinking being that Mike Ross is all we need. In light of the present economy it might be time to have some of our members start meeting with Mike or set up our own committee. It also seems likely Growth Management efforts would benefit through a closer working relationship with those promoting economic development. y 0� We set up these committees as the best way of pursuing the goals of the Partnership. We have had some success, but in my opinion, more can be done. I suggest we ask each committee what they see as their role and what plans they have for 2009.1-Iopefully we can find individuals to lead these committees who really understand the issues and will work hard as a catalyst for change where needed. t TcCAC 1n, Membership: 1 kLVv1 � Attendance at our monthly board meetings was sixty five percent. There were five individuals who never or rarely attended as follows: Greg Cook, Manny Diaz, Cathy Dustman, Dave Jamison and Ernie T,hrner. Ernie has not been at a meeting in the last two years. Unpleasant as it is, I think we need to talk to these individuals or the organizations they represent to see if we can reengage them or at least get someone else to attend and who might be more interested in what we are all about. There also is the possibility that new life can be pumped into the partnership by expanding our membership and/or dropping others no longer concerned. 1 also want to repeat two other suggestions I made last year that fell through the cracks. The first is to really encourage all the partners to bring to the monthly meetings the things they would like to see us dealing with. We very often skip right over this and don't allow time for what I think could lead to good actions on our part. There are many things that , .., impact our quality of life. I'm not sure we have gone as far as we might in this area. I 1 think we should push the partners a little harder to get more things done. The second is our lack of press. We talked about trying to get our message out at least four times a year. Finances: The Partnership ended the year with a cash balance of$29,058, an increase of$2765 from the end of last year. We also have $342 of accrued interest on our c.d. which matures in August 2009 and earns 2.74% per year. I have included a financial statement for 2008 as well as a tentative budget for 2009. If we maintain our present membership and dues structure our cash balance will continue to grow. I have added some expenses in 2009 for conferences and other things that may or may not be incurred. This might be the time to offer some relief to the partners in the form of a dues reduction. Public Transit: Paul Cullinane continues efforts to restore some level of public transit to this area. The board has approved funding not to exceed $2000 to enable R. Farr from Rabbit to prepare an application for a feasibility study to determine if there is a real need for public transit in this area. The potential cost of such a study could be as much as $100,000 and requires a local match of 15 to 20%. This project cannot proceed without a local recipient (other than the partnership). R. Farr has been in contact with Penn Dot and came away with the sense that until the million dollar debt issue is resolved, there is little chance that Chambersburg will be successful in reestablishing any form of subsidized public transit. I believe Paul is trying 1 to pin down Penn Dot, in order to determine how to proceed. Community College: John Boozer feels Chambersburg's need for an accessible and affordable community college is in progress. He specifically cites HACC's $250000 technical college grant to the Franklin County Career and Technology Center . This course in " Mechatronics" will be offered at a discounted tuition rate in February. Ile also reports that the CASD is making a major investment in FCCTC to address the needs of workforce development. I1AAC is also working with Summit Health and other entities to better prepare students for the workplace. 1 Speakers: I have included a list of all the speakers we had in 2008 and a schedule for 2009 which includes a number of potential speakers for consideration. It has been a pleasure to serve another year as executive director and look forward to the year ahead. I would appreciate any direction, evaluation or suggestions you might have. Barry Drexler, Executive Director Greater Chambersburg 21st Century P e P. FINANCIAL. 12/31/2008 Imi 2008 0 MAM Ar-tual By December- DeC,YTDYear ear BeginninashZ%%n- f MW Chambersburg 3850 3850 3850 Guilford 2825 2825 2825 Greene 2650 2650 2650 Hamilton 1925 1925 1925 St. Thomas 1250 1250 1250 QU1 1 1250 CADC 200 200 200 CASD 200 200 200 DCI 200 200 200 Summit 200 200 200 C. of Arts 100 100 100 Franklin Co. 200 200 200 LIDA 200 200 200 Interest 5 203 700 1150 tal Revenue q Exec. Director 900 10800 10800 10800 �(,q c 1 Insurance 236 250 250 Printing 100 100 Meetings 0 0 P.O. Box 40 40 40 Postage/Office 162 50 110 Conferences L{;c 3000 1500 J', < < C ;t ` Other F. = N,2 2000A292-- ca-ShAr `7 20 J 1 _1624Egft a_ah 220$ 2905 24L Qa_ � AZO -174Q 150 " Includes $25,000 certificate o f de osit Estimated c.d. interest 2008 $$600.00 008 budeg_t -Planning for Positive Change -Establishing Effective Relationships -Mobilizing Resources for Results L Greater Chambersburg 21st Century Partnership, Inc. P.O. Box 1061, Chambersburg, PA 17201 2009 MEETING DATES & RECORD OF SPEAKERS AND TOPICS SUMMIT HEALTH CENTER 757 NORLAND AVENUE 8:00 AM (small print:executive committee JSharpe's office 7:30 am) MONTH NAME ORGANIZATION TOPIC 1/15/09 1/26/09 John Gray Letterkenny Army Depot 2/12/09 2/23/09 CHBG. Mayor Pete Lagiovane & PoliceChief Dave Arnold 3/12/09 3/23/09 i\ Frank Stearn St. Thomas Township 0 4/16/09 4/27/09 Open 5/07!09 5/18/09 Susan Dutko Field visit to F. C. Emergency Services( LEAD) 6/11/09 6/22/09 7/09/09 7/27/09 AUGUST NO SCHEDULED MEETING 9/10/09 9/28/09 10/15/09 10/26/09 11/05/09 11/23/09 DECEMBER NO SCHEDULED MEETING Other Potential Speakers : Public Opinion, Animal Shelter, CSX, Local Real Estate, PennDot,Janet Pollard, Wilson College, and Mike Christopher PLEASE CONTACT BARRY IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND. BLDREX a'EMBARQMAII..COM or 717-352-3713 -Planning for Positive Change -Establishing Effective Relationships -Mobilizing Resources for Results Greater Chambersburg 21st Century Partnership, Inc. PO. Box 1061, Chambersburg, PA 17201 2008 MEETING DATES & RECORD OF SPEAKERS AND TOPICS SUMMIT HEALTH CENTER 757 NORLAND AVENUE. 8:00 AM NVIONTH NAME ORGANIZATION TOPI 1/28/08 Professor Ted Alter Penn State Issues facing rural Pa. 2/25/08 Phil Wolgemuth Borough of Chbg. Comprehensive Plan 3/24/08 Mike Kessinger Hamilton Township Supervisor 4/28/08 Judy Chambers Extension Educator Penn State Extensioon 5/19/08 Noel Purdy Ex, Dir. Greater Chbg. Chamber Foundation 6/23/08 Janet Pollard ( need to reshedule) Franklin County Tourism 7/28/08 Jack Jones Elm Street Project AUGUST NO SCHEDULED MEETINGS 9/22/08 Rep. Todd Rock Issues in Pennsylvania Government 10/27/08 Dr. Joe Padask CASD 11/17/08 Mike Ross Impact of Ft. Ritchie on Franklin County DECEMBER NO SCHEDULED MEETINGS PLEASE CONTACT BARRY IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND. BLDRF,X-q�F.1IB,%RQMAII,.0019 or 717-352-3713 -Planning for Positive Change -Establishing Effective Relationships -Mobilizing Resources for Results