Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/2006 SCC minutes MOUNT PROSPECT SISTER CITIES COMMISSION Minutes Mav 18. 2006 Members Present: Tokiko Blaine Janice Farley Skip Farley Lil Floros Cindy Kiel John Korn Dorothy Kucera Gary Randant John Sibrava Mary Ann Sibrava Judy Thorne Rachel Toeppen Members Absent: Carole Bloomquist Melanie Karsen Paul Seils Adelaide Thulin Irvana Wilks Staff Liaison: Mama EI Metennani The meeting was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by Chairperson Dorothy Kucera. Approval of Minutes Adjustments to minutes of March 16. · Farleys were not at meeting. · 8 commission members and two spouses were present at the French Salon evening. · Date of potluck dinner should be April 27, the maximum number of attendees was 100. Minutes passed as amended. There was a question about the mayor requesting a vice-chair of all commissions. Staff will follow-up on this with the Mayor. Additions to the agenda: Daily Herald Letters to the Editor Community Band Concert - Sept. 11 State Web Site Distributed copies of ordinance and letter pertaining to dram shop insurance to clarify rules. French Salon Report See attached. Pot Luck Dinner Report See attached. Described as "smashing success." Benefited from Chef Charles Tuallending his talents by cooking several dishes for the evening. People were very impressed to see a real chef there. Some people complained that they had to wait to long to eat, but a lot of people arrived early. There was a problem with the electrical outlets (floor plugs). Thanked Public Works for their help with setting up and clean-up. Thanks to Doreen for her help. Everyone at the Village was wonderful. Suggestion to get a gift for Chef Charles to thank him. Thanked Busse flowers for the centerpieces. The organizers said they would be willing to do it again, and should think about having more events. Suggestion for a cooking show/demonstration featuring Charles. The library is a possible location - they do have a kitchen. State Convention Judy, Rachel and Dorothy attended. Rachel said it was very good for inspiration and generating excitement. There were less people than they expected. It was interesting to compare notes and see what other people are doing. There is space on the state web site for chapter information. There was a seminar on humanitarian relationships. Hanover Park received a grant from Sister Cities International. They did a five-year project with Cape Coast, Africa on AIDS education. The attendees thanked the Commission for covering the cost of registration. Next year the Convention is scheduled for April 20-21 in Southern Illinois (hosted by several small cities). Our group won the award for the best display. Library Display The Commission had a display up at the Library for the month of May. Daily Herald Letters to the Editor One letter from Theodore Wattenberg, former Village Trustee (now a resident of Prospect Heights) saying that Mount Prospect because of its German roots should have a German sister city. Another person (Des Plaines resident) was offended by the suggestion that Germany would be considered. Dorothy stated that this is exactly the kind of attitude that Sister Cities seeks to counter. When the Mayor returns, a letter will be written to the Daily Herald in response. Mount Prospect approached two German Sister Cities for Sister Cities relationship and was turned down by both. Dorothy mentioned the warm, friendly reception our delegation received when they visited France in 2002. Sister Cities International Convention This year is the 50th anniversary of Sister Cities International. They are asking each community to do something "uplifting" to honor the anniversary, which was formed on September 11. Mount Prospect will be hosting a Community Band Concert on that date. It will be free to the public and held at Lions Park at the Veterans' Memorial Band Shell. We are asking Sevres to do the same. 4th of July Parade Gary Randant and Judy Thome will coordinate. Maura will handle the flyers. Thanksgiving in October The Sub-Committee consists of: · Mary Ann and John Sibrava · Dorothy Kucera · Rachel Toeppen · Gary Randant · Cindy Kiel · Judy Thome The Avalon is booked for October 26, and is guaranteed for 125. The price is the same, $18 per person. Programs/Entertainment: have info about students going on exchange. It would be nice to have French visitors. Possibilities include Rotary, Firefighters or Conservatory. Contact will be made with Sevres to determine if there is a group that would come. Next sub-committee meetings will be June 6 and July 6. A possible entertainment idea is the Mount Prospect School of Classical Ballet. Name Badges The commission is interested in getting permanent namebadges. Judy will get prices. Second Sister City Request Mayor Wilks received an inquiry about forming a relationship with an Italian Sister City. The request was received from a teacher at Prospect High School who has an exchange with Verona. Lil stated that at one time there was a request from a town in Sweden to be Sister Cities and at the time, we said no because we were just starting our relationship with Sevres. John Korn mentioned that he had visited Sarasota, Florida and they had six sister cities. There could be different degrees of relationships. Rachel mentioned having a humanitarian sister city relationship. Possibly joining in with Sevres in their relationship with Romania. Or Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago with Amman, Jordan. Dorothy mentioned that she thought there might be grants available for choosing a sister city in the Arab world. Lil thought the Commission would be in for a lot of criticism if they chose a second Sister City and it wasn't German. The Sister Cities International program Wheelchairs for Peace was discussed, but Sevres has already been approached about this and is not interested in participating. Dorothy raised the point that the largest emerging population in Mount Prospect is Polish. Lil made the motion, seconded by Gary to respond to the request that we are not considering a second Sister City at this time, but when the item comes up for discussion, we will consider the request. The motion passed. Other Business Rachel asked about having Le Sevrien translated. John Korn suggested having the students do it. Mary Ann said that it would be very time consuming. Skip had gotten an estimate of $300 an issue for translation. It was suggested that copies of Le Sevrien be sent to the library so they can have a collection. It was also suggested that we produce a translated version of the video of Sevres.