Meeting will be at the Harvest Moon Restaurant starting @ 6:30pm
Call to order
Roll Call
Approval of June 7th minutes
Treasurer's Report
Election of 2010-2011 Officers
Adjourn
State Rep Susan Fagan will be at the Rockford City Hall at 7pm
Rockford Community Center work party will meet after that
Submitted,
Mary Lou Benson
Secretary
Monday, June 21, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Movies in the Park start June 17th
It is that time again for summer family fun! One way to enjoy the warm evenings is to watch one of the movies in the Rockford City Park. They are shown on Thursday nights starting at dusk and are rated G, PG or PG-13 (with prior approval by the committee). There is free popcorn and pop donated by local businesses and organizations. It is fun to watch families settle in with their lawn chairs and blankets, forgetting all their cares for a couple hours. The one drawback is that younger kids still have to be taught to pick up their litter instead of others doing it for them. Hopefully this year it will be different. I have missed 3 movies since this activity has been happening (3-4 years?). Movies have included Sandlot, The World's Fastest Indian, RV, August Rush and Nim's Island. Most of the time cartoons are shown first.
Come join us for a fun memorable experience!
Come join us for a fun memorable experience!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Calling All Community Garden Volunteers
It is now time for planting! Last night (June 14th) was the first night for the big dig!. Now that the weather has improved we are ready to get started. If you want to help with the Community Gardens whether it be to plant, water or harvest it would be greatly appreciated. Remember that the produce will either be sold every Saturday at the Farmers Market to benefit the Rockford Community Center or given to families/persons in need. For more information contact Keith Wigen @ (509) 291-3602
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
State Representative Susan Fagan Will Hold Town Hall Meeting
On Monday, June 21st at 7:00pm State Representative Susan Fagan from the 9th Legislative District will be holding a Town Hall meeting in the Rockford City Hall.
She will be discussing the state budget as well as important legislative bills and issues. Plan on attending and expressing your ideas and concerns as this helps Susan as she does her job "for us" in Olympia.
For information call (509) 291-4716.
She will be discussing the state budget as well as important legislative bills and issues. Plan on attending and expressing your ideas and concerns as this helps Susan as she does her job "for us" in Olympia.
For information call (509) 291-4716.
Rockford Community Center/Horizons June 7, 2010 Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 6:40pm by Chairman Todd Hart
In attendance were Mary-Lou Benson, Vivian Plank, Lorrie Pope, Tom Pope, Todd Hart, Billy Lafferty, Sean Hart and Micki Harnois
The minutes of the May 17th meeting were approved.
There is a total of $10,847.97 in the checking account and no grant funds have been spent.
Community Center
Plans are being made for a work party to do the following: bolt the bookcases in place; spackle the holes in the sport activity wall; paint the "movie screen" wall, sport activity wall, entrance wall,and book shelves; move the half-wall; sand the computer tables; set up the computers; set up the TV/DVD/VCR; retrofit the overhead lights and paint the ceiling; measure the "social area" floor for carpeting; set up the sports equipment and stock the bookcases and shelves. The work party will be on Monday evenings after the meetings or when enough people are available to help with the moving and the lifting.
Things needed for the work party: a) paint (1 gallon flat latex for the "movie screen" wall, 5 gallons cream semi-gloss washable for entry and sports area and 5 gallons of white ceiling paint), b) computer router and c) computer software.
Todd Hart and Tom Pope will change the lights. Avista will give a $25 rebate for each light replaced.
Background checks for all adults assisting with Community Center activities will be started once the consent forms are signed.
There was discussion regarding a banner for the Farmer' Market as well as the Rockford Community Center. We will check on a price for the Farmers' Market banner.
Community Gardens
The Farmers' Market made a profit of $47 with 3 vendors present.
The vendors from last year were sent letters and some completed forms have been received.
Mary-Lou Benson gave a mini-training on how to operate the produce scale and figure out pricing of items for the Farmers' Market.
Those who have expressed an interest in helping with planting have been notified and are "on call" until the ground is dry enough.
There was $201 spent on the triangle plot located in front of the restrooms at the park. Keith Wigen began the construction of the first tier wall and it will be finished once it quits raining. Keith has the full list of plantings which includes tomato, pepper and seed potato starts.
Communication
The Town has elected to stay with the present webmasters
There are lists of businesses on the web that can be accessed and linked with the RCC/Horizons page.
A free community dinner was held on May 27th at the Rockford Methodist Church Fellowship Hall with 37 people being fed. This will continue with the St Joseph Catholic Church participating in the preparations. It will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month from 5:30-6:30pm.
Vivian Plank is doing the overview of the paperwork for all our projects.
The short term plans that have been achieved are: 1) having the web page up and running, 2) the community calendar is now included in the town utility bill and is available at the local businesses, 3) the second year for the community gardens is now and they are ready for planting and 4) the Rockford Community Center now has a "home" with preparations being made to accommodate the activities that will be offered.
Those nominated for new officers include:
Chair-Lorrie Pope
Vice-Chair -Todd Hart
Secretary-Mary-Lou Benson
Treasurer-Vivian Plank
Youth Chair- vacant
Vice-Youth Chair-Sean Hart
There were no other nominations.
State Representive Susan Fagan with the 9th Legislative District will be holding a Town Hall Meeting on June 21st.
The next RCC/Horizons meeting will be on July 5, 2010 at 6:30pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary-Lou Benson, Secretary
In attendance were Mary-Lou Benson, Vivian Plank, Lorrie Pope, Tom Pope, Todd Hart, Billy Lafferty, Sean Hart and Micki Harnois
The minutes of the May 17th meeting were approved.
There is a total of $10,847.97 in the checking account and no grant funds have been spent.
Community Center
Plans are being made for a work party to do the following: bolt the bookcases in place; spackle the holes in the sport activity wall; paint the "movie screen" wall, sport activity wall, entrance wall,and book shelves; move the half-wall; sand the computer tables; set up the computers; set up the TV/DVD/VCR; retrofit the overhead lights and paint the ceiling; measure the "social area" floor for carpeting; set up the sports equipment and stock the bookcases and shelves. The work party will be on Monday evenings after the meetings or when enough people are available to help with the moving and the lifting.
Things needed for the work party: a) paint (1 gallon flat latex for the "movie screen" wall, 5 gallons cream semi-gloss washable for entry and sports area and 5 gallons of white ceiling paint), b) computer router and c) computer software.
Todd Hart and Tom Pope will change the lights. Avista will give a $25 rebate for each light replaced.
Background checks for all adults assisting with Community Center activities will be started once the consent forms are signed.
There was discussion regarding a banner for the Farmer' Market as well as the Rockford Community Center. We will check on a price for the Farmers' Market banner.
Community Gardens
The Farmers' Market made a profit of $47 with 3 vendors present.
The vendors from last year were sent letters and some completed forms have been received.
Mary-Lou Benson gave a mini-training on how to operate the produce scale and figure out pricing of items for the Farmers' Market.
Those who have expressed an interest in helping with planting have been notified and are "on call" until the ground is dry enough.
There was $201 spent on the triangle plot located in front of the restrooms at the park. Keith Wigen began the construction of the first tier wall and it will be finished once it quits raining. Keith has the full list of plantings which includes tomato, pepper and seed potato starts.
Communication
The Town has elected to stay with the present webmasters
There are lists of businesses on the web that can be accessed and linked with the RCC/Horizons page.
A free community dinner was held on May 27th at the Rockford Methodist Church Fellowship Hall with 37 people being fed. This will continue with the St Joseph Catholic Church participating in the preparations. It will be held on the fourth Thursday of the month from 5:30-6:30pm.
Vivian Plank is doing the overview of the paperwork for all our projects.
The short term plans that have been achieved are: 1) having the web page up and running, 2) the community calendar is now included in the town utility bill and is available at the local businesses, 3) the second year for the community gardens is now and they are ready for planting and 4) the Rockford Community Center now has a "home" with preparations being made to accommodate the activities that will be offered.
Those nominated for new officers include:
Chair-Lorrie Pope
Vice-Chair -Todd Hart
Secretary-Mary-Lou Benson
Treasurer-Vivian Plank
Youth Chair- vacant
Vice-Youth Chair-Sean Hart
There were no other nominations.
State Representive Susan Fagan with the 9th Legislative District will be holding a Town Hall Meeting on June 21st.
The next RCC/Horizons meeting will be on July 5, 2010 at 6:30pm.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary-Lou Benson, Secretary
Monday, May 24, 2010
Free Community Dinner-No Strings Attached
There will a free community dinner on May 27th at the Rockford Community Methodist Church from 5:30-6:30 pm. Donations will not be expected.
The dinners will occur on the 4th Thursday of the month. The goal is to get residents out of their house for an evening and share a meal with their neighbors.
If you would like to help please call Susan Gallagher @ (509)291-3339.
The dinners will occur on the 4th Thursday of the month. The goal is to get residents out of their house for an evening and share a meal with their neighbors.
If you would like to help please call Susan Gallagher @ (509)291-3339.
Rockford Horizons Poverty Reduction Meeting Minutes May 17th, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm at the Harvest Moon Restuarant. Eleven members were in attendance as well as Horizons trainer, Patrick Malone.
Minutes of the May 3, 2010 meeting were approved.
Community Gardens:
The people who were interested in helping with the gardens last year will be contacted.
The gardens have a need of an application of Round-up because of the infestation of morning glory. Bill Benson has tilled Garden #3 at the Stevensons. Someone has donated tomato plants that need to be planted "now". This will be done as help surfaces.
The 4-H group are willing to help with the gardens. Barb Gady is the contact person.
There was discussion with the Catholic church regarding the water timer for Garden #2This will be beneficial and Keith Wigen will research the cost.
Communications:
Bill Strawn suggested that we contact TV station KXLY and put our events on their local community calendar which airs in the morning during the 5:30 am segment of the show. It was advised that we also contact KHQ and KREM.
The Exchange paper is dedicating one to two pages for local news for the Palouse weekly. This is to take the place of the North Palouse Journal on a temporary basis.
Mayor Micki Harnois presented information on the Town of Odessa Public Development Authority (PDA). She explained that there are several PDAs established in smaller towns in Eastern Washington and they use the same boiler plate format and language. It is hoped that Rockford will set one up soon.
Old Business:
The Rockford Community Center received approval of the 501c 3 tax exempt status on May 10, 2010. Any donations of material or money will be noted as to donor and value and kept in the RCC records.
The Rockford beautification project will be brought before the Town Council.
The status of the sale or lease of the Exxon station is unknown.
Mayor Micki met with one of the Town webmasters on May 6th. It was suggested that we should hire a professional to take this position as the webmasters will be graduating from high school this summer and want to increase salary. Micki will explore possibilities of a professional webmaster and the cost if the current webmasters can not continue.
New Business:
Rockford Community Center
There will be a meeting soon to move items in the building away from the walls to begin the preparation process of cleaning, painting and moving in.
The Farmers' Market will begin on June 5th and will continue through the summer. It was asked that we search for musicians to perform.
The Horizons banner for the Town is 4 feet by 6 feet and can be displayed during every Horizons sponsored event. Mayor Micki asked where it would be kept. Patrick Malone suggested that we contact other Horizons communities to find out how theirs are being stored.
Patrick presented suggestions for the gardens such as "Plant A Row for the Hungry" and Feed Spokane. These projects provide produce that is donated to Inland Second Harvest. We opted to keep our produce in the Rockford area. There is a mobile food bank that may help distribute food. The food bank in Fairfield is our local receiver of our harvest.
A free community dinner is being provided on the 4th Thursday of the month in the Rockford Methodist Church basement. There will be no donations received. Anyone who wishes to help can contact Susan Gallagher for more information.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary-Lou Benson
Minutes of the May 3, 2010 meeting were approved.
Community Gardens:
The people who were interested in helping with the gardens last year will be contacted.
The gardens have a need of an application of Round-up because of the infestation of morning glory. Bill Benson has tilled Garden #3 at the Stevensons. Someone has donated tomato plants that need to be planted "now". This will be done as help surfaces.
The 4-H group are willing to help with the gardens. Barb Gady is the contact person.
There was discussion with the Catholic church regarding the water timer for Garden #2This will be beneficial and Keith Wigen will research the cost.
Communications:
Bill Strawn suggested that we contact TV station KXLY and put our events on their local community calendar which airs in the morning during the 5:30 am segment of the show. It was advised that we also contact KHQ and KREM.
The Exchange paper is dedicating one to two pages for local news for the Palouse weekly. This is to take the place of the North Palouse Journal on a temporary basis.
Mayor Micki Harnois presented information on the Town of Odessa Public Development Authority (PDA). She explained that there are several PDAs established in smaller towns in Eastern Washington and they use the same boiler plate format and language. It is hoped that Rockford will set one up soon.
Old Business:
The Rockford Community Center received approval of the 501c 3 tax exempt status on May 10, 2010. Any donations of material or money will be noted as to donor and value and kept in the RCC records.
The Rockford beautification project will be brought before the Town Council.
The status of the sale or lease of the Exxon station is unknown.
Mayor Micki met with one of the Town webmasters on May 6th. It was suggested that we should hire a professional to take this position as the webmasters will be graduating from high school this summer and want to increase salary. Micki will explore possibilities of a professional webmaster and the cost if the current webmasters can not continue.
New Business:
Rockford Community Center
There will be a meeting soon to move items in the building away from the walls to begin the preparation process of cleaning, painting and moving in.
The Farmers' Market will begin on June 5th and will continue through the summer. It was asked that we search for musicians to perform.
The Horizons banner for the Town is 4 feet by 6 feet and can be displayed during every Horizons sponsored event. Mayor Micki asked where it would be kept. Patrick Malone suggested that we contact other Horizons communities to find out how theirs are being stored.
Patrick presented suggestions for the gardens such as "Plant A Row for the Hungry" and Feed Spokane. These projects provide produce that is donated to Inland Second Harvest. We opted to keep our produce in the Rockford area. There is a mobile food bank that may help distribute food. The food bank in Fairfield is our local receiver of our harvest.
A free community dinner is being provided on the 4th Thursday of the month in the Rockford Methodist Church basement. There will be no donations received. Anyone who wishes to help can contact Susan Gallagher for more information.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary-Lou Benson
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Rockford Horizons Poverty Reduction May 17th Meeting Agenda
Status of 501 c 3 for Rockford Community Center
Rockford beautification project
Rockford Mini-Mart status
Report of meeting between Mayor Micki and the web maasters
Community Gardens report
List of interested participants
Time of rototilling
Planting timetable
Timer for Garden#2 at the Catholic Church
Communication Report
Rockford beautification project
Rockford Mini-Mart status
Report of meeting between Mayor Micki and the web maasters
Community Gardens report
List of interested participants
Time of rototilling
Planting timetable
Timer for Garden#2 at the Catholic Church
Communication Report
Monday, May 17, 2010
Rockford Horizons Poverty Reduction May 3, 2010 Meeting Minutes
The Strategy meeting held on April 28th was intended to provide the committee with strategies for the last part of our program. This was attended by Mary-Lou Benson, Kathy Creeed and Vivian Plank.
Patrick Malone (our coach) laid out the areas:
Asset Building
Earned Income Tax Credit
Micro-enterprise i.e. through SNAP
Community Leadership
Community Capacity
More people are needed for these programs
Public Policy
Community Endowments
A way to increase the money received (our $10,000!!!)
Wealth Sustaining
The group learned of the existance of The Book Parlor in Spokane that carries new and used books at reasonable prices, has a coffee shop and "Fair Trade Gifts". This is one example of micro-enterprise.
Vivian Plank and Mary-Lou Benson attended a luncheon presented by AWALL (Adolescent Women Actively Learning Life's Lessons). The purpose of this organization is to provice a sense of empowerment to adolescent girls who are from low-income families, by mentoring them and giving them skills and confidence to improve their lives.
Bill Benson offered an example of micro-enterprise by citing the impact of the closure of the Rockford Mini-mart (excluding the gas station). The Town has lost a place to purchase small essentials, truck drivers and local residents have lost the quick and available coffee in the early morning and the Rockford Emergency Response Committee has lost the use of coolers and food keeping capacity in case of emergencies. His proposition is that there be a co-op that would maintain the Mini-Mart, open a coffee shop/internet cafe and a deli for quick "to go" sandwiches and pizza. He reminded us that the Mini-Mart used to have pizza but the owners did not want to maintain the ovens, so no pizzas were sold. The plan would add jobs to manage the deli, Mini-mart and internet cafe. Mayor Micki Harnois noted that several people have looked at the Mini-Mart to puchase and are waiting for the price to be lower.
The Rockford beautification project is primarily in the City park along the fence, the basketball court and around the memorial. The bush by the south entrance of the park is blocking the view inside the park. It was the consensus that it should be trimmed back due to the return of drug paraphernalia being found around that side of the park. Local businesses and organizations will be contacted and invited to take part in this project. It is thought that if the park is a safe place and it looks as though the people care about the appearance of the Town there will be more interest in businesses relocating here.
The discussion about public development authorities is on hold.
The Community gardens will be tilled once the ground is dry enough. The local 4-H group is willing to help because they need service hours. Barb Gady is the contact person once there is a schedule for planting.
Approval was given to use retaining stones for the triangle area in front of the restrooms in the park. The cost of $200 will come out of the Community Center budget. There was a suggestion that people can donate a tree, preferably a willow, to plant in the park. Keith Wigen explained that the willow trees will absorb alot of the water and the park won't be so wet. By having the park drier, there won't be a large amount of standing water thus decreasing the mosquito breeding grounds, making the park a healthier place. Also, the existing trees should be sprayed to control the aphids. A suggestion was made to find ladybugs to solve the problem.
The Town webmasters are scheduled to meet with Mayor Micki next Thursday, May 6th at 4:30 pm at the City Hall.
The next meeting will be on May 17th at 6:30 pm at the Harvest Moon Restaurant.
Respctfully submitted,
Mary-Lou Benson
Patrick Malone (our coach) laid out the areas:
Asset Building
Earned Income Tax Credit
Micro-enterprise i.e. through SNAP
Community Leadership
Community Capacity
More people are needed for these programs
Public Policy
Community Endowments
A way to increase the money received (our $10,000!!!)
Wealth Sustaining
The group learned of the existance of The Book Parlor in Spokane that carries new and used books at reasonable prices, has a coffee shop and "Fair Trade Gifts". This is one example of micro-enterprise.
Vivian Plank and Mary-Lou Benson attended a luncheon presented by AWALL (Adolescent Women Actively Learning Life's Lessons). The purpose of this organization is to provice a sense of empowerment to adolescent girls who are from low-income families, by mentoring them and giving them skills and confidence to improve their lives.
Bill Benson offered an example of micro-enterprise by citing the impact of the closure of the Rockford Mini-mart (excluding the gas station). The Town has lost a place to purchase small essentials, truck drivers and local residents have lost the quick and available coffee in the early morning and the Rockford Emergency Response Committee has lost the use of coolers and food keeping capacity in case of emergencies. His proposition is that there be a co-op that would maintain the Mini-Mart, open a coffee shop/internet cafe and a deli for quick "to go" sandwiches and pizza. He reminded us that the Mini-Mart used to have pizza but the owners did not want to maintain the ovens, so no pizzas were sold. The plan would add jobs to manage the deli, Mini-mart and internet cafe. Mayor Micki Harnois noted that several people have looked at the Mini-Mart to puchase and are waiting for the price to be lower.
The Rockford beautification project is primarily in the City park along the fence, the basketball court and around the memorial. The bush by the south entrance of the park is blocking the view inside the park. It was the consensus that it should be trimmed back due to the return of drug paraphernalia being found around that side of the park. Local businesses and organizations will be contacted and invited to take part in this project. It is thought that if the park is a safe place and it looks as though the people care about the appearance of the Town there will be more interest in businesses relocating here.
The discussion about public development authorities is on hold.
The Community gardens will be tilled once the ground is dry enough. The local 4-H group is willing to help because they need service hours. Barb Gady is the contact person once there is a schedule for planting.
Approval was given to use retaining stones for the triangle area in front of the restrooms in the park. The cost of $200 will come out of the Community Center budget. There was a suggestion that people can donate a tree, preferably a willow, to plant in the park. Keith Wigen explained that the willow trees will absorb alot of the water and the park won't be so wet. By having the park drier, there won't be a large amount of standing water thus decreasing the mosquito breeding grounds, making the park a healthier place. Also, the existing trees should be sprayed to control the aphids. A suggestion was made to find ladybugs to solve the problem.
The Town webmasters are scheduled to meet with Mayor Micki next Thursday, May 6th at 4:30 pm at the City Hall.
The next meeting will be on May 17th at 6:30 pm at the Harvest Moon Restaurant.
Respctfully submitted,
Mary-Lou Benson
Monday, May 10, 2010
Horizon Leader attends CRM Facilitator Training
Micki Harnois, Horizon leader attended the Coordinated Resource Management training on April 26-29, 2010.
The basic objectives of the meeting was to:
1) Engage local people in resolving issues
2) Teach skills in facilitating successful meetings, work sessions and other group processes.
3) Learn how groups work together and overcome obstacles in order to solve problems, make decisions and build durable agreements.
It was a great learning experience and will be used a tool to help others in the community learn to express themselves in a group setting and also seek to understand why others feel the way they do.
The basic objectives of the meeting was to:
1) Engage local people in resolving issues
2) Teach skills in facilitating successful meetings, work sessions and other group processes.
3) Learn how groups work together and overcome obstacles in order to solve problems, make decisions and build durable agreements.
It was a great learning experience and will be used a tool to help others in the community learn to express themselves in a group setting and also seek to understand why others feel the way they do.
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