Held monthly meetings the first Tuesday of the month throughout the year.
Bob made January petition to Council to schedule Reparations work session to discuss how to establish the Reparations Commission approved by referendum vote in the November 2021 city elections. Members repeatedly encouraged Council to start work on this. Council scheduled the first work session on March 9 and finally selected a Commission on December 22.
Concerned over evictions at Franklin Park, members corresponded with Jorge, Ashanti, and Trent at CASA. Bill and Bob participated in previous County and Laurel Housing Justice Coalition meetings. A County-wide coalition was relaunched. The Alliance discussed assisting with coalition-building for rent stabilization initiative staffed by CASA. Ric Gordon hosted a rent stabilization presentation at the 12/12 Council meeting.
Discussed general issues and equity concerns from Greenbelt 2021 municipal election. Beth Terry and Robert Goldberg-Strassler prepared a recommendations report sent to the Board of Elections and Council.
Louise Weissman kept us informed about legislative issues in early 2022 and opportunities to send letters to state lawmakers
A lot of work around ARPA through the year, encouraging Council to select “people first” initiatives. Sent GREA Feedback to Council on Allocation of ARPA Funds letter to Council on March 16. People First Coalition organized by Tom Adams (CAG), Bob Rand (GREA), and Susan Walker (GILA) formed in summer and sent two letters to Council (7/5 and 8/24) signed by many GREA members to present an ARPA framework with specific item requests based on equity. GREA members spoke at Council meetings and work session to lobby for 50% racial equity goal and specific initiatives. City established a web site for ARPA funds status.
Lore, Chris, Robert wrote letter to lobby Council to change from Webinar to Zoom meeting format. Council modified Webinar format to allow online attendees to make verbal statements and post comments and questions via Q&A.
GREA partnered with Public Safety Advisory Committee for community conversation on policing forums. Assisted with social media promotion of PSAC survey.
GREA co-sponsored Race Amity Day with Greenbelt Baha’i Community.
Some discussions about GREA membership, engagement, governance, priorities
