New Visions Communications Action Minutes
6 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Chair Joe Seminara
NV Mission: To develop and maintain conditions for collaborative and positive change in Lawrence County.
NV Vision: To connect, build and foster an environment for collaborative change and create a greener, cleaner, safer
and more prosperous Lawrence County.
Attendees: Tina Turner, Ralph Pisciuneri, Heather Nitch, Joe Seminara and Larry Corvi
I.)
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Leadership of Communications Action Team, Larry Corvi
Larry reported Joe Seminara was stepping down as leader of Communications Action Team. Joe plans to
stay on the New Visions Board of Directors and devote more time to “Partners in Progress”, a private-public
concept for jumpstarting downtown redevelopment. Larry thanked Joe for his service.
Heather Nitch was named the new leader of the Communications Action Team. No other volunteers came
forward. Heather has been working on the New Visions web site and brings many marketing and
communication skills to the position.
II.)
New Visions Update, Larry Corvi, Executive Director
Clean and Green Action Team, Mary Burris Chairing:
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Neshannock River Bank Clean Up from Mill to Grove Street completed October 31.
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Neshannock Creek clean up from Paper Mill Bridge to Hickory Township 9 a.m. to noon Sat. Nov. 14.
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Upcoming projects include community garden downtown and pocket park near Court House.
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Kathy Graziani volunteered to co-chair Clean and Green Action Team.
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Action team focusing on growing volunteers
Destination Downtown Action Team, Cindy Biddle, Hector Marquez co-leaders:
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Angie Mohr will conduct training for how to negotiate in November.
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Planning move forward with “Holly Jolly Holiday Express” December 5. Martha Constant leading the
project.
Spreading the Word about New Visions:
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County Commissioner Bob DelSignore gave New Visions credit for renewing attention on the Neshannock
Creek as a means of revitalizing New Castle and Lawrence County during his public comments October 22 at
the opening of the newly paved Neshannock Trail. Clean and Green volunteers cleaned up the trail over the
past year.
III.)
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Tina Turner, an invited guest spoke about why she and her husband located here this past spring after
doing an online search of best places to live in the US. Lawrence County came out on top. Tina is a
California native; her husband is from London, England. They moved to Shenango Township from
New Mexico. Tina said she and her husband possess computer-mapping skills. They spent two years
searching the Internet. Here are highlights of her comments:
Western PA possesses a mild “European” climate that offers four seasons with low humidity that burns off by
noon.
Climates with a lot of sunshine days have many other problems, drought, fires, lack of water, etc.
Western PA does not have frequent natural disasters, such as, mudslides, wildfires, earthquakes, and
volcanoes.
While we do get cold weather and snow here, it is not as severe as New England states. The research showed.
The research showed we have a low crime rate.
Lawrence County offers small town feel.
Lawrence County offers low cost of living. Taxes are low compared to the New England states.
They like being just one hour from Pittsburgh and close to everything.
Commuting time here is much less than in larger cities.
They said the people here are friendly.
They noted good school rankings in Neshannock and Shenango, both ranked 9. New Castle schools ranked
just with a 4.
Tina suggested we market quality schools, low housing prices, low cost of living, close to jobs in the area
both Pittsburgh and Youngstown, short commuting time.
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Tina suggested we need to train local residents about the good reasons to live here.
IV.)
Next Steps
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Communications Action Team will develop an “elevator speech” for New Visions. An elevator speech is so
named because it is short and to the point and can be given by the time an elevator reaches its destination. (3
minutes or so)
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Communications Action Team will develop “fast facts”, short positive facts about our county that will fit on a
business card and of course, be available on smart phones. The goal is to offer these facts so residents can
push back when someone is putting down our community.
Meeting Schedule:
Combined Action Teams Meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 18 at the Confluence
Next Communications Action Team Monthly Meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday December 1 at the Confluence