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Coalition for Glen Cove Minutes of the March 13, 2001 meeting Recently Achieved: The Coalition has endorsed Janet Bates-Wilkins and Natheley McElrath as school board candidates. They will be running as a team opposing Kurt Schmeller, Rick Smith and Robert Germino. The Coalition focus will be to inform the public and to get as many people out to vote as possible. Natheley and Janet are circulating a petition to put a referendum on the ballot to have the school board term changed from five years to three years. Janet reported that the March 8 meeting with Senator Marcellino was informative. Senator Marcellino heard concerns about State aid and school taxes. Janet gave an informative talk which outlined the unique situation in Glen Cove; our poverty index, amount of students receiving free lunch and the large number of ESL learners should warrant more State aid. Senator Marcellino outlined the state budget procedure regarding state aid. However, his offer to return for a second meeting after the passing of the state budget encouraged us that our concerns are being taken seriously. Don Ranieri arranged for Janet, Natheley and himself to speak at the Centre Club at the Glen Cove Senior Center on March 5th. About 150 members attended. Don reported that the event went extremely well. Jean Kuttruff and Nancy Cleary organized a second school visit by community leaders on March 8th. Leslie Whitely has been distributing bookmarks to many places and organizations throughout the city. A story about the bookmarks was published in the Record Pilot. In Progress: Ian Siegel and Natheley McElrath are planning a fundraising brunch on April 28th at Steamboat Landing. The cost to attend will be $25. Ian and Natheley will arrange for a guest speaker. The Coalition will help to promote attendance at Meet the Candidates night. The Coalition will let Janet and Natheley know about important events throughout the school district. They will try to attend as many events as possible. A recent mailing to the 120 present Coalition families has already resulted in funds coming in. Leslie Whitely is continuing to organize a meeting between Dr. Freeley and local real estate brokers. The next meeting of the Coalition for Glen Cove will be on Tuesday, April 10th at St. Paul’s Church on Highland Road. Ronnie
Lavine
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