General Meeting Minutes – Saturday, March 1, 2025, 11:00am at HQ

Welcome – Julie called the meeting to order at 11:00am and welcomed attendees.

Minutes – Earl Smith motioned, Paula Bussard seconded, and the members approved the minutes from the November 13th General Membership meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – Karl Marchut motioned, Paula Bussard seconded, and the members approved the February 24th treasurer’s report.

General Comments – Julie acknowledged that everyone wants to take action right now and recommended focusing efforts toward the things we can control and that matter:

·      Advocacy/Elections

o   Citizens for Carlisle Schools (www.citizensforcarlisleschools.org)

o   Cumberland Valley Rising (www.cumberlandvalleyrising.org)

o   Mobilize (www.mobilize.us)

o   Red, Wine and Blue (www.redwine.blue)

o   CADC Facebook page (www.facebook.com/carlislepadems)

·      Donations

o   Local food banks, shelters, immigrant support, other organizations listed on www.carlislepadems.org/community-resources

o   Legal defense organizations – ACLU, Democracy Forward, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), NAACP Legal Defense, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ilrc)

·      At CADC

o   May will be a reorganizing meeting, with shifts in Executive Officers and Committee positions.

o   Community survey (via a QR code) to determine what matters to community members—results to be shared with candidates. Attendees spent five minutes completing survey.

Races and Candidate presentations

·      Montana Hartman (Prothonotary) -- Currently serving as Middlesex Judge of Elections, Montana also has a background as an ESL tutor, and spoke about the Prothonotary role as a record-keeper, signator, advocate, and witness.

·      Sean Shultz (Re-election for Mayor) – Has secured millions of dollars in infrastructure grants, established a co-responder program, formed a land use reform committee, created initiatives that have blazed a trail for a more accessible and inclusive community, acknowledged the power of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion-focused programs to level the playing field, and fostered a community united in purpose.

·      Carlisle Borough Council – (Two @ four-year candidates and one @ two-year candidate positions open)

o   Safronia Perry (Borough Council re-election) – Safronia has been pleased to be part of strategic planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training, and the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. Her role is to be available for the community, she encouraged us to not be afraid, and acknowledged her supporters.

o   Cassandra Fourlas (Borough Council) – Cassandra is new to running for public office, has lived in Carlisle for 20 years, is Vice President of Molly Pitcher Brewing Company, and is getting involved to see small businesses represented.

o   Rachel James (Borough Council) – Rachel is a Dickinson Law graduate and attorney with a Camp Hill law firm. Rachel believes that “a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world” and real change happens at local levels. She has supported Project SHARE, the United Way, and SPY programs, and is working on improvements to transportation and making housing more equitable and accessible.

o   Mitch Shiles (Borough Council) – Mitch is an artist, founder of Bikelisle, and a volunteer for the Carlisle Climate Action Committee. He analyzed ten years of Penn DOT crash data which led to the borough passing the Vision Zero resolution, reducing injuries and deaths on local streets to zero. He’s also been involved with land use reform, weatherizing buildings, and increasing EV charging stations.

·      School Board Candidates

o   Anne Lauritzen (School Board re-election) – Anne attended high school in Carlisle and then returned with her family when her husband was assigned to the War College. Two of her children are CHS graduates and one is a CHS teacher. She is the school board Vice President, chairs the school board’s education committee, and is Director of Partnership for Career Development. She is running again because the stakes are so important for students, teachers and the community.

o   Sue Bower (School Board re-election) – Sue has two boys in CASD and chairs the board’s Engagement Committee. She believes it’s important to keep politics out of the school board and that boards shouldn’t be influenced by outside groups.

o   Steven Brousse (School Board) – Steven graduated from CHS in 2004 and has two daughters in CASD. His roles as a civil engineer, soccer coach, swim club volunteer, and PTO volunteer support the school board’s work. He believes it takes all of us to make the community better and in the importance of using taxpayers’ money wisely.

o   Amanda Rudy (School Board) – Amanda has lived in Carlisle since 2016 and is a military retired spouse. She has two children in CASD, is a PTO member and St. John’s school board member. She brings a current and accurate parental view, fundraising and collaboration skills, and a belief in the importance in community support of education to her candidacy.

·      Open positions

o   Paula mentioned that Inspector of Elections and Judge of Elections positions are open for each precinct, and require five and ten signatures respectively to get on the ballot. She recommended calling the elections office to see what positions are open; PCPs may also know. Candidacy isn’t official until the petitions are collected.

Announcements

·      Jen McDuffie is a Farmers on the Square representative who wants to grow the SNAP and other programs.

·      A member recommended always using the full term, “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion” instead of “DEI.”

·      Court of Common Pleas candidate Sasha Sacavage needs Democrats’ and Republicans’ signatures.

·      Paula Bussard shared that School Board candidate information and campaign volunteering opportunities can be found at citizensforcarlisleschools.org.

·      Tawanda Stallworth shared that the importance of this moment and continuing to do this work is critical to our democracy. “Do your work and don’t miss this moment. Give it everything you have.” She’s part of a small and valued advocacy group and reflected on the rollback of Lyndon Johnson’s policies.

·      A member mentioned about the South Central PA Young Democrats (SCPAYD) for those ages 18-40.

·      Julie will continue to update and add to the website.

Julie adjourned the meeting at 12:03pm.