Conversations with Rich Bennett
Join Rich Bennett and his dynamic cohosts as they engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds—authors, entrepreneurs, activists, and everyday heroes—uncovering their unique stories and insights. Each episode offers a deep dive into personal journeys, community initiatives, and transformative experiences, providing listeners with inspiration and practical takeaways.
Tune in to discover stories that uplift, inform, and connect us all. Subscribe now to be part of these compelling conversations.
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Conversations with Rich Bennett
How the 755 Alliance Is Rebuilding Community Pride
Recorded live at Edgewood American Legion Post 17, this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett spotlights the incredible work of the 755 Alliance. Founder Bangtam Miller and her leadership team share how a small group of committed volunteers is revitalizing Edgewood and Southern Harford County through action, not talk.
From eliminating school lunch debt and preventing evictions to building skate parks, hosting free concerts, and restoring community pride, the 755 Alliance proves that real change starts locally. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes communities thrive when people step up and work together.
Learn more at https://755alliance.org and see how you can get involved.
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Producer 0:01
Coming to you live from Edgewood American Legion, post-17, Hartford County Living presents, Conversations with Rich Bennett.
Rich Bennett 0:29
Several years ago, right before the shutdown of that thing we know of called COVID, you know where everybody thought outside of the box and if you had your
Bangtam Miller 0:41
own
Rich Bennett 0:41
business, you've succeeded. This young lady. How about you guys. Give 'ere a say the show lady, you're the only young lady up here. Came on the show, the first time, the 755 Alliance was founded. And it was, I believe it was you, your sister, Gary, was there, right?
Bangtam Miller 1:05
Ron.
Rich Bennett 1:06
Ron.
Bangtam Miller 1:06
Scott. Scott. My adopted brother.
Rich Bennett 1:09
Okay. And that's when you guys just got started. So we're gonna go right down the line. There's two of you that have been on before. So once they hear your voice, they'll recognize you. But everybody just go down and introduce yourselves. Who do you Jeff?
Jeff Beck 1:24
I'm Jeff.
Do you
Ron Filling 1:27
that?
Jeff Beck 1:27
want more than
Ron Filling 1:28
Yeah,
Rich Bennett 1:28
what do you do man?
Jeff Beck 1:30
Oh, I sell pass control by trade. I'm also running for county council here in District Day in Hartford County and I just like to be involved in helping the community be a better place.
Rich Bennett 1:44
Big time.
Ron Filling 1:45
And I'm Ron filling. I'm currently vice president of 755 Alliance. I'm the president of the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce and retired from the automotive business after 42 years with Thompson Automotive.
Rich Bennett 2:00
I like how you said retired from the automotive business, not retired.
Ron Filling 2:05
Not
Rich Bennett 2:06
Yeah,
Ron Filling 2:06
definitely
Rich Bennett 2:06
because
Ron Filling 2:06
not
Rich Bennett 2:06
you're not retired.
Bangtam Miller 2:08
retired.
Rich Bennett 2:09
All right, go ahead, Buzzkill.
Bangtam Miller 2:10
All right. I'm Bonta Miller, the president and founder of the 755 Alliance. And I'm all about revitalizing the community, supporting our residents.
Robert Wagner 2:25
Rob Wagner. Spent 20 years on Hartford County council, both as councilman for District E
Bangtam Miller 2:29
I'm
Robert Wagner 2:29
and also as council president. I'm currently working in housing and community services. And I head up to Southern County Task Force, which is concentrated on all the work that we're doing down here in the root 40 corridor between the average grace and drop it down.
Rich Bennett 2:46
20 years
Robert Wagner 2:47
20 years,
Rich Bennett 2:48
wow,
Ron Filling 2:49
he really is.
Steve Sines 2:54
Steve signs. I am the vice president of employee benefits or hell or cohorts insurance advisors. I am the treasurer of the 755 Alliance. And I'm also active in the community as a life member of Abingman Fire Company.
Rich Bennett 3:16
I didn't know you were joining us. Now
Steve Sines 3:18
special.
Rich Bennett 3:18
I feel
Melissa Derisca 3:20
Hi, I'm Melissa Deriska and I am a member at large for the 755 Alliance.
Bangtam Miller 3:29
And she's all things in edgewood. And she's, um, advocate and developer and all of the different things. And I forgot to say that I am a retiree also for schools. And I'm one of the family business owner operator at the Washington Folk Express. You're place to go if you have dirty laundry and we'll do it for you.
Steve Sines 3:55
Right.
Melissa Derisca 3:55
Right.
Rich Bennett 3:56
so buzzkill. All right, I'm not going to do that bank. I can't do that to you.
Bangtam Miller 4:01
Alright,
Rich Bennett 4:01
So when you came on six years ago, the alliance just started. So for those people that never heard that episode, tell everybody what the alliance is about and why you start.
Bangtam Miller 4:14
>> Right. So, Edgewood's an area that's not incorporated, so we formed so that we could access government services for the needs, basic needs, such as revitalization, litter control, just basic services that other areas have that we couldn't access. And so when we formed, we wanted to be different in that. We are targeting revitalization, redevelopment, to attract businesses to support our community. We wanted to do things that people could see and feel immediate change. So we targeted school lunch debt with our business partners, our church partners,
Steve Sines 4:57
targeted
Bangtam Miller 4:58
and then we the
Steve Sines 5:00
--
Bangtam Miller 5:00
illegal of bulk trash, which our first location became the home of the new copperplex sports fields on Cedar Drive. And so we continued to pursue things, including an emergency fund to halt evictions, repair essential automobiles for job-related purposes, and then we also reconnect essential utilities, such as gas, electric, and water. And so we partnered with organizations to refer families, qualifying families to us.
Rich Bennett 5:41
>> So when you started, how many people were actually involved? How many people on the board and volunteers?
Bangtam Miller 5:47
>> There were five of us at the time. Dave Moore couldn't be here, but he was also part of our board, and he still is. And so what's unique about our board is every member is involved in several other nonprofits. So we give our time willingly. I always say that we donate our time and talent in kind. So it's a wonderful group of very giving, giving people.
Rich Bennett 6:15
>> And how many people now? >>
Bangtam Miller 6:17
Now we have seven. >> Yes. And our number increased to seven so that we, and we were very strategic. And again, members who, number one rule is they have to support what we do in Edgewood and the surrounding neighborhoods, like Abington and Chopper Town, and that they have to do for free. And, you know, love what they do.
Rich Bennett 6:44
>> Did you think within, within six years that you guys would be as big as you are now? When I say big, I'm not talking about member wise, I'm talking about all the stuff that you have accomplished.
Bangtam Miller 6:58
>> No, but they're all related. I think that's the reason that we're into so many different things. Because again, when you're revitalizing neighborhoods, we're talking about recreation with parks and with fields that they can enjoy. Well, at the core of any community revitalization is stable households. So how can you even have people think about improving their neighborhood if they're just trying to make ends meet, trying to keep a roof over their head, keep their cars going so they can maintain their jobs. And so that's why we kind of evolved into that emergency fund after we took care of the two year rounds of lunch debts.
Rich Bennett 7:40
>> It actually, because as a nonprofit, that's the one thing you need funds. How do you guys raise funds?
Bangtam Miller 7:46
>> Well, we have a very generous group of private donors from our Edgewood High School alumni and our businesses like the one that Ron used to work for. And they just support what we do. And then in our nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3) registered with the state of Maryland to do business and solicit donations. That's what we do. We get donations and then on the lead grant writer and we pursue anything that is available that aligns with our mission to either provide the central services or to revitalize the neighborhood.
Rich Bennett 8:22
>> And you guys just as something recently, I hope I get it right. Legend would explain what that is.
Steve Sines 8:33
>> Legend is a old, I guess it started out as a tennis court. And they had people from the community come together and build a skateboard park which was a lot of creativity, a lot of energy, but at the same time very dangerous. So we stepped in and we partnered with the county. We got grants from the county and from the community. And we revitalized the skate park. We tore most of it down. We did leave some existing structures. For the character and to honor the people that started this project. And we had a contractor come in and poor concrete, paved it, put up obstacles and ramps and rails and everything else that goes with skate parks. It's been much better received and a lot better, more utilized. And I thought it was going to be. I'm really impressed. I drive by there and I'll see a lot of kids and adults out there, skateboarding. And they're very grateful and very happy. And it's a good, safe place for people to go and skateboard and get some exercise.
Rich Bennett 9:59
Who's idea was
Bangtam Miller 10:03
I'll just say that it was my husband Gary Millers idea for us to build the skate park because we had envisioned just a park so that families that are enjoying the copperplex during their downtime could come over and enjoy. And he looked at me with a third eye and said you're going to build a playground when they have a skate park there. And I said what in that mess that looked like a dump, you know, just an old tattered tennis court with a lot of debris
Ron Filling 10:36
that?
Bangtam Miller 10:36
construction debris. And then when we walked up closer and I realized that the different debris piles were ramps and structures that they were trying to build. And so that was the birth of the skate park. And so right about then the state released a grant for community place making and it just seemed like everything fit together.
Rich Bennett 11:00
So what you're trying to tell me is Gary's the skater.
Bangtam Miller 11:04
No,
Rich Bennett 11:06
now all right. So who are somebody in the Alliance had to test it first. So who who tested it? Who was the skateboarder? Really?
So what do you think of it?
Steve Sines 11:18
He
Melissa Derisca 11:18
He
Steve Sines 11:19
thinks
Melissa Derisca 11:19
thinks
Steve Sines 11:19
it's
Melissa Derisca 11:19
it's
Steve Sines 11:19
really
Melissa Derisca 11:19
really
Steve Sines 11:20
awesome.
Melissa Derisca 11:20
awesome.
Steve Sines 11:20
So
Melissa Derisca 11:20
So
Steve Sines 11:21
the
Melissa Derisca 11:21
the
Steve Sines 11:21
day
Melissa Derisca 11:21
day
Steve Sines 11:22
of
Melissa Derisca 11:22
of
Steve Sines 11:22
the
Melissa Derisca 11:22
the
Steve Sines 11:23
pre-opening
Melissa Derisca 11:23
pre-opening
Steve Sines 11:24
we
Melissa Derisca 11:24
we
Steve Sines 11:24
came
Melissa Derisca 11:24
came
Steve Sines 11:24
and
Melissa Derisca 11:24
and
Steve Sines 11:24
we
Melissa Derisca 11:24
we
Steve Sines 11:25
got
Melissa Derisca 11:25
got
Steve Sines 11:25
to
Melissa Derisca 11:25
to
Steve Sines 11:25
see
Melissa Derisca 11:25
see
Steve Sines 11:26
all
Melissa Derisca 11:26
all
Steve Sines 11:26
the
Melissa Derisca 11:26
the
Ron Filling 11:27
skaters
Steve Sines 11:27
that
Melissa Derisca 11:27
that
Steve Sines 11:28
joined
Melissa Derisca 11:28
joined
Steve Sines 11:29
together
Melissa Derisca 11:29
together
Steve Sines 11:29
to
Melissa Derisca 11:29
to
Steve Sines 11:30
help
Melissa Derisca 11:30
help
Steve Sines 11:30
her
Melissa Derisca 11:30
her
Steve Sines 11:30
with
Melissa Derisca 11:30
with
Steve Sines 11:30
this
Melissa Derisca 11:30
this
Steve Sines 11:31
initiative.
Melissa Derisca 11:31
initiative.
Steve Sines 11:32
And
Melissa Derisca 11:32
And
Steve Sines 11:32
from
Melissa Derisca 11:32
from
Steve Sines 11:33
there,
Melissa Derisca 11:33
there,
Steve Sines 11:34
he
Melissa Derisca 11:34
he
Steve Sines 11:34
just
Melissa Derisca 11:34
just
Steve Sines 11:34
he
Melissa Derisca 11:34
he
Steve Sines 11:35
lit
Melissa Derisca 11:35
lit
Steve Sines 11:35
up
Melissa Derisca 11:35
up
Steve Sines 11:35
with
Melissa Derisca 11:35
with
Steve Sines 11:36
excitement
Melissa Derisca 11:36
excitement
Steve Sines 11:36
when
Melissa Derisca 11:36
when
Steve Sines 11:37
we
Melissa Derisca 11:37
we
Steve Sines 11:37
live
Melissa Derisca 11:37
live
Steve Sines 11:37
in
Melissa Derisca 11:37
in
Steve Sines 11:37
Edgewood,
Melissa Derisca 11:37
Edgewood,
Steve Sines 11:38
so
Melissa Derisca 11:38
so
Steve Sines 11:38
this
Melissa Derisca 11:38
this
Steve Sines 11:38
is
Melissa Derisca 11:38
is
Steve Sines 11:39
awesome
Melissa Derisca 11:39
awesome
Steve Sines 11:39
to
Melissa Derisca 11:39
to
Steve Sines 11:39
have
Melissa Derisca 11:39
have
Steve Sines 11:39
that
Melissa Derisca 11:39
that
Steve Sines 11:40
here.
Melissa Derisca 11:40
here.
Rich Bennett 11:41
Wow, all right. What's the next big thing name because this was right.
Bangtam Miller 11:45
yes, but before we go to the next big thing, I just have to mention that in this group, you heard the name Robert Wagner before. And without Robert Wagner's support through the Southern County Task Force and his ear into the County Executive, we could not have accomplished our project. So the grant that we had was for 100,000 dollars, which probably would clear the area and then pour the concrete. But to build the rest of that, our contractor decided to donate in kind the demolition and the removal of all the stuff. And then the county, through the Rob Wagner's work, he helped us with securing another grant from the County under the Community Development Block Grant to finish the park because we had a second piece to that park, which is an exercise fitness trail,
Rich Bennett 12:46
Well,
Bangtam Miller 12:46
which had four pieces of equipment of low impact. But the bigger headache for us at the time was the land ownership. And I have to say without Mr. Wagner's support, we could not have even started down the path of breaking ground. So I'll just have him share a little bit from that process.
Robert Wagner 13:09
I think what she's trying to tell you, it's been a fantastic partnership between 755 Alliance and Harvard County. You know, they can do so much more than we can in some of the private parcels and private ownership pieces. And that was certainly one of the ones that is going to be something that I think will be enjoyed for many, many years. I think everybody in the community is very well pleased with it. The skating community that used to be there is I think ultimately very happy with it. You know, it was a little bit of a chore, but I had cooperation from the Board of Education to serve. the property over because it was on their property, it was an old tennis court that was not being used anymore. And, you know, Bang-Tam had the vision and, uh, and brought the 755 alliance, uh, in play, and, uh, you know, with the county's assistance and the grant funds that were available for this particular, uh, project, it turned out to be a very beautiful success. And if anybody hasn't seen it yet, they need to go by and take a look at it because it is, it's not a, it's not a skate park like some of the ones that are around that are, uh, not, not skatable by some people. This is a lower impact style skate.
Rich Bennett 14:21
it's not an
Robert Wagner 14:21
So
Rich Bennett 14:22
empty
Robert Wagner 14:22
Right.
Rich Bennett 14:22
pool.
Robert Wagner 14:22
It is not, and you've got, you know, the young and old can skate here. So anybody up here can skate if they can stand up on a skateboard.
Bangtam Miller 14:30
To premiere Plaza style street skate design.
Rich Bennett 14:36
Don't, don't say anybody can try it. I can stand up on a skateboard. I just don't know how long I can stay all the thing.
Jeff Beck 14:43
There's no excuse. I went to, so legislature hosted a skate competition a few weekends ago called EgoTrip. They had, they had contestants from all over the state of Maryland and probably beyond that came out,
Bangtam Miller 14:56
about 200 people attended.
Rich Bennett 14:58
Really?
Jeff Beck 14:59
I lost count at about 25. I had, I had to take my shoes and socks off to get that high. So I thank you for having a number. Uh, but one, one of the gentlemen skating in the competition was a double amputee. So if a double amputee can get out and skate that park, you have no excuse, sir.
Rich Bennett 15:19
There you calling me out. Really? A
Jeff Beck 15:24
double amputee?
Rich Bennett 15:25
That's amazing.
Bangtam Miller 15:27
Right. And what's amazing is the unspoken curtices that happen and the respect. So the skaters, like I said, it was packed. But they all lined up, took turns and, you know, avoided each other. And it's just like an unspoken signal that they travel around and navigate the entire park without colliding into each other. And I, I just thought, and that's of all ages, whether you're a four year old on your skate or you're a senior citizen.
Rich Bennett 15:58
Right. So, Ron, I want to go to you because you're the so called retired one, but you're busier now than you were when you were working.
Ron Filling 16:08
That's a,
Rich Bennett 16:10
you've been, you've been with 755 since the start.
Ron Filling 16:13
Yeah. And I'll tell you it's a, it's funny because before I retired, my involvement personally was helping with community clean ups. I'd have employees come over and we'd help in the community clean up. So I actually knew Bontam's sister before I knew her. And I thought I was helping her out. And she introduced me to Bontam and, oh my God, after that. Uh, but once I retired and I, I spent a, the bulk of my automotive career in the Edgewood market, I wanted to give back to a community that was so good to me while I was working. So, besides the, uh, cleanups, what intrigued me most is Bontam was working on a program called School Lunch Death, which I had never heard of. And, um, once she told me about it and we can do it, because as I was working, the bulk of my contribution besides cleanups was just writing a check. But once I got involved, I said, well, let's tackle this problem. And maybe we just get, um, sponsors or donors. And anyway, she worked very hard to virtually
eliminate School Death in Southern part of Harvard County. But that allowed her to project her talents into other areas. And then she asked me to join the board. And then we started doing other things in the community. And I'll just touch on a couple things. We've, um, we've done three concerts so far. And they're all free to the public. We have entertainment forum. We bring bands in. We bring food trucks in. We have all kinds of different things going on. We had a movie night, which we had our first one. We were a little skeptical on how it was going to turn out. And then 90 people showed up to watch it. Alvin and the chipmunks, where all where the movie was free, um, admission, all the concessions we gave for free. And everything we try to do is to try to bring unity and community together without charging any money. And that's what we've been able to do with our concerts and our movie nights. And then it moved into community gardens, which we have one here at the legion. We have one at Presbury. We have some assistance in helping demand the gardens. But all the vegetables that are grown are free to everybody that comes. And everything that we try to do is to bring the community out. You know, people stay at home where they say, I can't afford anything, you can afford our events. They're all free. And where we can, we make the concessions free too. We buy for farmers market from April to November. The first Sunday of every month is farmers market. And I'll tell you interesting. The very first one had about five or six vendors and then it went about seven or eight vendors. And the next thing I know within about three thousands, we had 15 to 20 vendors showing up. But the last one, I think, was the most unique one, is one of the vendors couldn't come, which was the big vendor that supplied vegetables and stuff. And there were our biggest vendor. Seven, five, five went out and purchased all the vegetables from them, so that we could have them for the farmer's market. And I think that's significant in knowing that no matter what obstacle we come across, and we're doing all this other stuff that we help people with their water bill or our car repair and all. But the bigger picture is we're making this community better. As I said before, I'm not work here, but also in Aberdeen, and I think that anything from Joppetown to Havidegrees, I see is a renaissance right now going
Rich Bennett 20:08
Yeah.
Ron Filling 20:08
on. And I see citizens, especially in Edgwood, Joppetown, Aberdeen walking around with more spring in their step right now. They're happy with what they're seeing. All the improvements are, uh, and it's really special, and I owe a lot to Bontan because she's a whirlwind and she's really the center of this hurricane that we've got going on here, but it's amazing what a small group of people, dedicated people can do, and our motto is we're small, but we're mighty. And I think that's really true. We don't work with a lot of people, and it's really the love you have for this community, that carries everybody on. And we're always looking for volunteers, by the way, is to help us on these projects because it, you know, I hate to use that analogy, but it takes a village to get some of these things done. And it's very important, but you see a dedicated group that's sitting up here right now, and Dave Moyer's not here right now, and he's part of it, and Emma, and they're always there, um, contributing in some fashion, beside the kite day, and all the other stuff, um, that we're involved in. Thanksgiving is a free dinner right here at the Legion, that they had, um, veterans day was a free spaghetti dinner, you know, that it's amazing what you can do, but I'm just going to go back to one thing and touch on the lead, uh, Ledgewood zoo, is I remember the very first day to Secretary of Transportation, Jacob Day came out, and he was taking a tour, and we got invited on the tour. We were there, 755, with representatives from Aberdeen, from Habertee Grace, and Belair, and we were like, 755, you know, this little group. It was making fun time on the bus, but we started talking to this guy, and then we said, "Do you have a Facebook page?" And he says, "Yeah, we made friends with him on Facebook, right away." And then when the grants got spread out, I don't know if anybody should know that, we got as big a grant as the city of Aberdeen and Habertee Grace got. But, it wasn't enough, you know, she said it was 100,000, it wasn't enough, but we worked with Steve Horn, I mean, he was instrumental in getting something done. We knocked out a lot of the middlemen in this thing. She worked, and with Rob's help, and you can't discount what Rob's doing. He cut through a lot of the red tape that you go through with this stuff, because he's been a councilman for a long time, and he knows the ins and outs on how do you work in Hartford County, and he was able to put everything in the right direction. But, it's amazing what a small amount of dedicated people can do, but it would sure be nice sometimes have a few more volunteers for some of these
Steve Sines 23:01
things.
Ron Filling 23:03
And that's what I'll say about that.
Bangtam Miller 23:04
Yeah, and what I wanted to add was, you know, if you go back to just the namesake, 755 was the state highway,
Rich Bennett 23:12
Right.
Bangtam Miller 23:12
755 in Edward, and we knew we wanted to reach a broad audience of support. And so the alliance is just a group of people coming together for a common cause, and so anything that we get involved in, we do not necessarily need to take ownership. We welcome partnerships, and attribute it to whatever groups that want to, because we want to just fulfill the need in the community. And so when Ron talked about Kite Day and other events that we've had in the community, we reached out to these groups that were operating what I call pop-up events. And we said, "How can we as a nonprofit help you grow so that the residents of Edward and Southern Hartford could benefit?" We know that the economic times are tough, and so we can provide some of that. And when Ron talked about why we purchase all the produce, well, number one, at the farmers market, you have to have key farmers there. And so they could not attend, and it was just at the shutdown of government that we said, "You know, if we purchase the produce, we could help our community as well as fulfill the need of having a produce stand." And so we told them to bring a bag, and they'll be blessed. Well, many of the people did not realize that that meant they would get their produce for free that
Rich Bennett 24:34
were
Bangtam Miller 24:34
day. And we
Rich Bennett 24:34
blue me away.
Bangtam Miller 24:35
It
Rich Bennett 24:37
did.
Ron Filling 24:38
If I could say one more thing about this, fun time was talking about pop-up things. About a week ago, this young lady down on the end.
Rich Bennett 24:48
Steve,
Ron Filling 24:48
Melissa. Put a Facebook post up that it would be nice if we had a Christmas tree lighting in Edgewood somewhere, and low and behold, from that single Facebook post, everybody started saying, I think that's a good idea. I think that's a good idea. Everybody spread the word. She now has a Christmas tree lighting set up for December 13th at 6 o'clock at the Southern precinct, and she got donations from various organizations by spreading the word and that was a single Facebook post that she put on. We're talking about how we do sideline things. Melissa did that on her own, said, hey, why don't we have that? Because everybody has a tree lighting, but we haven't had one down here. And she can tell you more because she's a,
Steve Sines 25:40
wanted
Ron Filling 25:40
but I that out. She did a fantastic job getting that established.
Melissa Derisca 25:45
Yes,
Steve Sines 25:45
Yes,
Melissa Derisca 25:45
so
Steve Sines 25:45
so
Melissa Derisca 25:46
with
Steve Sines 25:46
with
Melissa Derisca 25:46
that,
Steve Sines 25:46
that,
Melissa Derisca 25:46
I'm
Steve Sines 25:46
I'm
Melissa Derisca 25:47
also
Steve Sines 25:47
also
Melissa Derisca 25:47
a
Steve Sines 25:47
a
Melissa Derisca 25:47
part of
Steve Sines 25:47
part of
Melissa Derisca 25:48
the
Steve Sines 25:48
the
Melissa Derisca 25:48
Community
Steve Sines 25:48
Community
Melissa Derisca 25:49
Advisory
Steve Sines 25:49
Advisory
Melissa Derisca 25:49
Board,
Steve Sines 25:49
Board,
Melissa Derisca 25:50
and
Steve Sines 25:50
and
Melissa Derisca 25:50
we
Steve Sines 25:50
we
Melissa Derisca 25:50
know
Steve Sines 25:50
know
Melissa Derisca 25:51
that
Steve Sines 25:51
that
Melissa Derisca 25:51
that
Steve Sines 25:51
that
Melissa Derisca 25:51
can
Steve Sines 25:51
can
Melissa Derisca 25:51
be
Steve Sines 25:51
be
Melissa Derisca 25:51
a
Steve Sines 25:51
a
Melissa Derisca 25:51
bit
Steve Sines 25:51
bit
Melissa Derisca 25:52
stiff,
Steve Sines 25:52
stiff,
Melissa Derisca 25:53
and
Steve Sines 25:53
and
Melissa Derisca 25:53
we
Steve Sines 25:53
we
Melissa Derisca 25:53
want
Steve Sines 25:53
want
Melissa Derisca 25:53
the
Steve Sines 25:53
the
Melissa Derisca 25:53
community
Steve Sines 25:53
community
Melissa Derisca 25:54
to
Steve Sines 25:54
to
Melissa Derisca 25:54
have
Steve Sines 25:54
have
Melissa Derisca 25:54
a
Steve Sines 25:54
a
Melissa Derisca 25:55
voice
Steve Sines 25:55
voice
Melissa Derisca 25:55
outside
Steve Sines 25:55
outside
Melissa Derisca 25:56
of
Steve Sines 25:56
of
Melissa Derisca 25:56
there,
Steve Sines 25:56
there,
Melissa Derisca 25:56
and
Steve Sines 25:56
and
Melissa Derisca 25:56
we
Steve Sines 25:56
we
Melissa Derisca 25:56
actually
Steve Sines 25:56
actually
Melissa Derisca 25:57
see
Steve Sines 25:57
see
Melissa Derisca 25:57
what's
Steve Sines 25:57
what's
Melissa Derisca 25:58
gonna
Steve Sines 25:58
gonna
Melissa Derisca 25:58
take
Steve Sines 25:58
take
Melissa Derisca 25:58
place
Steve Sines 25:59
place
Melissa Derisca 25:59
and
Steve Sines 25:59
and
Melissa Derisca 25:59
manifest
Steve Sines 25:59
manifest
Melissa Derisca 25:59
in
Steve Sines 25:59
in
Melissa Derisca 25:59
our
Steve Sines 25:59
our
Melissa Derisca 26:00
community.
Steve Sines 26:00
community.
Melissa Derisca 26:01
So
Steve Sines 26:01
So
Melissa Derisca 26:02
we
Steve Sines 26:02
we
Melissa Derisca 26:02
are
Steve Sines 26:02
are
Melissa Derisca 26:02
having
Steve Sines 26:02
having
Melissa Derisca 26:03
that
Steve Sines 26:03
that
Melissa Derisca 26:03
that
Steve Sines 26:03
that
Melissa Derisca 26:03
is
Steve Sines 26:03
is
Melissa Derisca 26:03
gonna
Steve Sines 26:03
gonna
Melissa Derisca 26:03
be
Steve Sines 26:03
be
Melissa Derisca 26:04
December
Steve Sines 26:04
December
Melissa Derisca 26:04
13th.
Steve Sines 26:04
13th.
Melissa Derisca 26:05
It
Steve Sines 26:05
It
Melissa Derisca 26:05
is
Steve Sines 26:05
is
Melissa Derisca 26:05
going
Steve Sines 26:05
going
Melissa Derisca 26:06
to
Steve Sines 26:06
to
Melissa Derisca 26:06
be
Steve Sines 26:06
be
Melissa Derisca 26:06
at
Steve Sines 26:06
at
Melissa Derisca 26:06
the
Steve Sines 26:06
the
Melissa Derisca 26:06
Sheriff's
Steve Sines 26:06
Sheriff's
Melissa Derisca 26:07
office,
Steve Sines 26:07
office,
Melissa Derisca 26:08
the graciously
Steve Sines 26:08
the graciously
Melissa Derisca 26:09
Eric
Steve Sines 26:09
Eric
Melissa Derisca 26:09
Roby,
Steve Sines 26:09
Roby,
Melissa Derisca 26:09
thank
Steve Sines 26:09
thank
Melissa Derisca 26:11
you.
Steve Sines 26:11
you.
Melissa Derisca 26:11
Nalanda,
Steve Sines 26:11
Nalanda,
Melissa Derisca 26:11
you
Steve Sines 26:11
you
Melissa Derisca 26:11
and
Steve Sines 26:12
and
Melissa Derisca 26:12
everybody.
Steve Sines 26:12
everybody.
Melissa Derisca 26:12
We
Steve Sines 26:12
We
Melissa Derisca 26:13
had
Steve Sines 26:13
had
Melissa Derisca 26:13
a
Steve Sines 26:13
a
Melissa Derisca 26:14
755
Steve Sines 26:14
755
Melissa Derisca 26:15
Alliance.
Steve Sines 26:15
Alliance.
Melissa Derisca 26:15
They
Steve Sines 26:15
They
Melissa Derisca 26:15
are
Steve Sines 26:15
are
Melissa Derisca 26:15
helping
Steve Sines 26:15
helping
Melissa Derisca 26:16
me
Steve Sines 26:16
me
Melissa Derisca 26:17
navigate
Steve Sines 26:17
navigate
Melissa Derisca 26:17
it,
Steve Sines 26:17
it,
Melissa Derisca 26:18
but
Steve Sines 26:18
but
Melissa Derisca 26:19
Reese
Steve Sines 26:19
Reese
Melissa Derisca 26:19
Jones
Steve Sines 26:19
Jones
Melissa Derisca 26:20
of
Steve Sines 26:20
of
Melissa Derisca 26:20
Jones
Steve Sines 26:20
Jones
Melissa Derisca 26:20
Family
Steve Sines 26:20
Family
Melissa Derisca 26:21
Farm.
Steve Sines 26:21
Farm.
Melissa Derisca 26:22
He's
Steve Sines 26:22
He's
Melissa Derisca 26:22
gonna
Steve Sines 26:22
gonna
Melissa Derisca 26:22
give
Steve Sines 26:22
give
Melissa Derisca 26:23
us
Steve Sines 26:23
us
Melissa Derisca 26:23
the
Steve Sines 26:23
the
Melissa Derisca 26:23
tree.
Steve Sines 26:23
tree.
Melissa Derisca 26:24
We
Steve Sines 26:24
We
Melissa Derisca 26:24
have
Steve Sines 26:24
have
Melissa Derisca 26:24
the
Steve Sines 26:24
the
Melissa Derisca 26:25
Southern
Steve Sines 26:25
Southern
Melissa Derisca 26:25
Rotary,
Steve Sines 26:25
Rotary,
Melissa Derisca 26:26
a
Steve Sines 26:26
a
Melissa Derisca 26:26
part
Steve Sines 26:26
part
Melissa Derisca 26:26
of
Steve Sines 26:26
of
Melissa Derisca 26:26
that.
Steve Sines 26:27
that.
Melissa Derisca 26:27
Nalanda
Steve Sines 26:27
Nalanda
Melissa Derisca 26:27
Ruy
Steve Sines 26:27
Ruy
Melissa Derisca 26:27
的是,
Steve Sines 26:27
的是,
Melissa Derisca 26:27
I
Steve Sines 26:28
I
Melissa Derisca 26:28
don't
Steve Sines 26:28
don't
Melissa Derisca 26:28
know
Steve Sines 26:28
know
Melissa Derisca 26:28
if I'm
Steve Sines 26:28
if I'm
Melissa Derisca 26:28
sure
Steve Sines 26:28
sure
Melissa Derisca 26:28
I'm
Steve Sines 26:28
I'm
Melissa Derisca 26:28
name
Steve Sines 26:28
name
Melissa Derisca 26:29
it
Steve Sines 26:29
it
Melissa Derisca 26:29
last.
Steve Sines 26:30
last.
Melissa Derisca 26:30
So definitely
Steve Sines 26:30
So definitely
Melissa Derisca 26:31
last
Steve Sines 26:31
last
Bangtam Miller 26:31
so
Melissa Derisca 26:32
with
Steve Sines 26:32
with
Melissa Derisca 26:32
the
Steve Sines 26:32
the
Melissa Derisca 26:32
decorations
Steve Sines 26:32
decorations
Melissa Derisca 26:33
and
Steve Sines 26:33
and
Melissa Derisca 26:33
just
Steve Sines 26:33
just
Melissa Derisca 26:34
they're
Steve Sines 26:34
they're
Melissa Derisca 26:34
helping
Steve Sines 26:34
helping
Melissa Derisca 26:34
out
Steve Sines 26:34
out
Melissa Derisca 26:34
in
Steve Sines 26:34
in
Melissa Derisca 26:34
a
Steve Sines 26:34
a
Melissa Derisca 26:35
major
Steve Sines 26:35
major
Melissa Derisca 26:35
way.
Steve Sines 26:35
way.
Melissa Derisca 26:35
So
Steve Sines 26:35
So
Melissa Derisca 26:36
we're
Steve Sines 26:36
we're
Melissa Derisca 26:36
honored
Steve Sines 26:36
honored
Melissa Derisca 26:37
to
Steve Sines 26:37
to
Melissa Derisca 26:38
allow
Steve Sines 26:38
allow
Melissa Derisca 26:38
that
Steve Sines 26:38
that
Melissa Derisca 26:39
to
Steve Sines 26:39
to
Melissa Derisca 26:39
take
Steve Sines 26:39
take
Melissa Derisca 26:39
place
Steve Sines 26:39
place
Melissa Derisca 26:39
again
Steve Sines 26:39
again
Melissa Derisca 26:40
in
Steve Sines 26:40
in
Melissa Derisca 26:40
our
Steve Sines 26:40
our
Melissa Derisca 26:40
community.
Steve Sines 26:40
community.
Melissa Derisca 26:41
Breathing,
Steve Sines 26:41
Breathing,
Melissa Derisca 26:42
revitalization
Steve Sines 26:42
revitalization
Melissa Derisca 26:42
to
Steve Sines 26:42
to
Melissa Derisca 26:43
Edward,
Steve Sines 26:43
Edward,
Melissa Derisca 26:43
it's
Steve Sines 26:43
it's
Melissa Derisca 26:43
huge.
Steve Sines 26:43
huge.
Melissa Derisca 26:44
When
Steve Sines 26:44
When
Melissa Derisca 26:44
I
Steve Sines 26:44
I
Melissa Derisca 26:44
first
Steve Sines 26:44
first
Melissa Derisca 26:44
met
Steve Sines 26:44
met
Melissa Derisca 26:45
Band-Tan,
Steve Sines 26:45
Band-Tan,
Melissa Derisca 26:46
my
Steve Sines 26:46
my
Melissa Derisca 26:47
words
Steve Sines 26:47
words
Melissa Derisca 26:47
to
Steve Sines 26:47
to
Melissa Derisca 26:47
her
Steve Sines 26:47
her
Melissa Derisca 26:47
was,
Steve Sines 26:47
was,
Melissa Derisca 26:48
I
Steve Sines 26:48
I
Melissa Derisca 26:48
don't
Steve Sines 26:48
don't
Melissa Derisca 26:48
want
Steve Sines 26:48
want
Melissa Derisca 26:48
to
Steve Sines 26:48
to
Melissa Derisca 26:48
reinvent
Steve Sines 26:48
reinvent
Melissa Derisca 26:49
the
Steve Sines 26:49
the
Melissa Derisca 26:49
wheel.
Steve Sines 26:49
wheel.
Melissa Derisca 26:50
What
Steve Sines 26:50
What
Melissa Derisca 26:50
she
Steve Sines 26:50
she
Melissa Derisca 26:50
has
Steve Sines 26:50
has
Melissa Derisca 26:50
going
Steve Sines 26:50
going
Melissa Derisca 26:51
on,
Steve Sines 26:51
on,
Melissa Derisca 26:51
let's
Steve Sines 26:51
let's
Melissa Derisca 26:52
push
Steve Sines 26:52
push
Melissa Derisca 26:52
that.
Steve Sines 26:52
that.
Melissa Derisca 26:53
That's
Steve Sines 26:53
That's
Melissa Derisca 26:53
the
Steve Sines 26:53
the
Melissa Derisca 26:53
narrative.
Steve Sines 26:53
narrative.
Melissa Derisca 26:54
We
Steve Sines 26:54
We
Melissa Derisca 26:54
don't
Steve Sines 26:54
don't
Melissa Derisca 26:54
have
Steve Sines 26:54
have
Melissa Derisca 26:54
to
Steve Sines 26:54
to
Melissa Derisca 26:54
create
Steve Sines 26:54
create
Melissa Derisca 26:55
a
Steve Sines 26:55
a
Melissa Derisca 26:55
bunch
Steve Sines 26:55
bunch
Melissa Derisca 26:55
of
Steve Sines 26:55
of
Melissa Derisca 26:56
things
Steve Sines 26:56
things
Melissa Derisca 26:56
come
Steve Sines 26:56
come
Melissa Derisca 26:57
together,
Steve Sines 26:57
together,
Melissa Derisca 26:58
unified.
Steve Sines 26:58
unified.
Melissa Derisca 26:58
It's
Steve Sines 26:58
It's
Melissa Derisca 26:58
beautiful
Steve Sines 26:59
beautiful
Melissa Derisca 26:59
that
Steve Sines 26:59
that
Melissa Derisca 26:59
she
Steve Sines 26:59
she
Melissa Derisca 26:59
does
Steve Sines 26:59
does
Melissa Derisca 26:59
that
Steve Sines 26:59
that
Melissa Derisca 26:59
for
Steve Sines 26:59
for
Melissa Derisca 27:00
this
Steve Sines 27:00
this
Melissa Derisca 27:00
part
Steve Sines 27:00
part
Melissa Derisca 27:00
of
Steve Sines 27:00
of
Melissa Derisca 27:00
the
Steve Sines 27:00
the
Melissa Derisca 27:00
county.
Steve Sines 27:00
county.
Melissa Derisca 27:02
And
Steve Sines 27:02
And
Melissa Derisca 27:02
I'll
Steve Sines 27:02
I'll
Melissa Derisca 27:02
just
Steve Sines 27:02
just
Melissa Derisca 27:02
say
Steve Sines 27:02
say
Melissa Derisca 27:03
that
Steve Sines 27:03
that
Melissa Derisca 27:04
under
Steve Sines 27:04
under
Melissa Derisca 27:04
her
Steve Sines 27:04
her
Melissa Derisca 27:05
tutelage,
Steve Sines 27:05
tutelage,
Melissa Derisca 27:06
I'm
Steve Sines 27:06
I'm
Melissa Derisca 27:06
learning
Steve Sines 27:06
learning
Melissa Derisca 27:06
a
Steve Sines 27:06
a
Melissa Derisca 27:07
lack
Steve Sines 27:07
lack
Melissa Derisca 27:07
of
Steve Sines 27:07
of
Melissa Derisca 27:07
how to
Steve Sines 27:07
how to
Melissa Derisca 27:08
help
Steve Sines 27:08
help
Melissa Derisca 27:08
our
Steve Sines 27:08
our
Melissa Derisca 27:09
community
Steve Sines 27:09
community
Melissa Derisca 27:10
better.
Steve Sines 27:10
better.
Melissa Derisca 27:11
And
Steve Sines 27:11
And
Melissa Derisca 27:12
from
Steve Sines 27:12
from
Melissa Derisca 27:12
there,
Steve Sines 27:12
there,
Melissa Derisca 27:15
hello
Steve Sines 27:15
hello
Melissa Derisca 27:15
Hartford.
Steve Sines 27:15
Hartford.
Melissa Derisca 27:16
She
Steve Sines 27:16
She
Melissa Derisca 27:16
allowed
Steve Sines 27:16
allowed
Melissa Derisca 27:16
me
Steve Sines 27:16
me
Melissa Derisca 27:16
to
Steve Sines 27:16
to
Melissa Derisca 27:16
be
Steve Sines 27:16
be
Melissa Derisca 27:16
a
Steve Sines 27:16
a
Melissa Derisca 27:17
part
Steve Sines 27:17
part
Melissa Derisca 27:17
of
Steve Sines 27:17
of
Melissa Derisca 27:17
that
Steve Sines 27:17
that
Melissa Derisca 27:18
movement.
Steve Sines 27:18
movement.
Melissa Derisca 27:18
And
Steve Sines 27:18
And
Melissa Derisca 27:18
then
Steve Sines 27:18
then
Melissa Derisca 27:19
even
Steve Sines 27:19
even
Melissa Derisca 27:19
what
Steve Sines 27:19
what
Melissa Derisca 27:19
she's
Steve Sines 27:19
she's
Melissa Derisca 27:19
doing
Steve Sines 27:19
doing
Melissa Derisca 27:20
with
Steve Sines 27:20
with
Melissa Derisca 27:20
those
Steve Sines 27:20
those
Melissa Derisca 27:20
who
Steve Sines 27:20
who
Melissa Derisca 27:21
lack
Steve Sines 27:21
lack
Melissa Derisca 27:22
transportation,
Steve Sines 27:22
transportation,
Melissa Derisca 27:23
teaming
Steve Sines 27:23
teaming
Melissa Derisca 27:23
up
Steve Sines 27:23
up
Melissa Derisca 27:24
the
Steve Sines 27:24
the
Melissa Derisca 27:24
link
Steve Sines 27:24
link
Melissa Derisca 27:24
bus.
Steve Sines 27:24
bus.
Melissa Derisca 27:25
And
Steve Sines 27:25
And
Melissa Derisca 27:25
from
Steve Sines 27:25
from
Melissa Derisca 27:25
there,
Steve Sines 27:25
there,
Melissa Derisca 27:26
she
Steve Sines 27:26
she
Melissa Derisca 27:26
had,
Steve Sines 27:26
had,
Melissa Derisca 27:27
she,
Steve Sines 27:27
she,
Melissa Derisca 27:27
she
Steve Sines 27:27
she
Melissa Derisca 27:27
was
Steve Sines 27:27
was
Melissa Derisca 27:27
double
Steve Sines 27:27
double
Melissa Derisca 27:28
booked
Steve Sines 27:28
booked
Melissa Derisca 27:28
last
Steve Sines 27:28
last
Melissa Derisca 27:29
week,
Steve Sines 27:29
week,
Melissa Derisca 27:29
so
Steve Sines 27:29
so
Melissa Derisca 27:30
it
Steve Sines 27:30
it
Melissa Derisca 27:30
was
Steve Sines 27:30
was
Melissa Derisca 27:30
an
Steve Sines 27:30
an
Melissa Derisca 27:30
important
Steve Sines 27:30
important
Melissa Derisca 27:32
lecture
Steve Sines 27:32
lecture
Melissa Derisca 27:32
about
Steve Sines 27:32
about
Melissa Derisca 27:33
bridging
Steve Sines 27:33
bridging
Melissa Derisca 27:34
a
Steve Sines 27:34
a
Melissa Derisca 27:34
bridge
Steve Sines 27:34
bridge
Melissa Derisca 27:34
of
Steve Sines 27:34
of
Melissa Derisca 27:35
poverty.
Steve Sines 27:35
poverty.
Melissa Derisca 27:35
And
Steve Sines 27:35
And
Melissa Derisca 27:36
I
Steve Sines 27:36
I
Melissa Derisca 27:36
was
Steve Sines 27:36
was
Melissa Derisca 27:36
able
Steve Sines 27:36
able
Melissa Derisca 27:36
to
Steve Sines 27:36
to
Melissa Derisca 27:36
sit
Steve Sines 27:36
sit
Melissa Derisca 27:36
in
Steve Sines 27:36
in
Melissa Derisca 27:37
under
Steve Sines 27:37
under
Melissa Derisca 27:37
Miss
Steve Sines 27:37
Miss
Melissa Derisca 27:38
Pew,
Steve Sines 27:38
Pew,
Melissa Derisca 27:38
Pew
Steve Sines 27:38
Pew
Melissa Derisca 27:39
please.
Steve Sines 27:39
please.
Melissa Derisca 27:40
And
Steve Sines 27:40
And
Melissa Derisca 27:40
it
Steve Sines 27:40
it
Melissa Derisca 27:40
was
Steve Sines 27:40
was
Melissa Derisca 27:41
amazing.
Steve Sines 27:41
amazing.
Melissa Derisca 27:42
But
Steve Sines 27:42
But
Melissa Derisca 27:42
had
Steve Sines 27:42
had
Melissa Derisca 27:42
we
Steve Sines 27:42
we
Melissa Derisca 27:43
not
Steve Sines 27:43
not
Melissa Derisca 27:43
had
Steve Sines 27:43
had
Melissa Derisca 27:43
that
Steve Sines 27:43
that
Melissa Derisca 27:44
association
Steve Sines 27:44
association
Melissa Derisca 27:44
with
Steve Sines 27:44
with
Melissa Derisca 27:45
755,
Steve Sines 27:45
755,
Melissa Derisca 27:45
we
Steve Sines 27:45
we
Melissa Derisca 27:46
would
Steve Sines 27:46
would
Melissa Derisca 27:46
have
Steve Sines 27:46
have
Melissa Derisca 27:46
missed
Steve Sines 27:46
missed
Melissa Derisca 27:46
that.
Steve Sines 27:46
that.
Melissa Derisca 27:46
So,
Steve Sines 27:46
So,
Melissa Derisca 27:46
there's
Steve Sines 27:46
there's
Melissa Derisca 27:47
so
Steve Sines 27:47
so
Melissa Derisca 27:47
much
Steve Sines 27:47
much
Melissa Derisca 27:48
information
Steve Sines 27:48
information
Melissa Derisca 27:48
to
Steve Sines 27:48
to
Melissa Derisca 27:48
bring
Steve Sines 27:48
bring
Melissa Derisca 27:49
back
Steve Sines 27:49
back
Melissa Derisca 27:49
to
Steve Sines 27:49
to
Melissa Derisca 27:49
the
Steve Sines 27:49
the
Melissa Derisca 27:49
community.
Steve Sines 27:49
community.
Melissa Derisca 27:50
And
Steve Sines 27:50
And
Melissa Derisca 27:50
not
Steve Sines 27:50
not
Melissa Derisca 27:50
just
Steve Sines 27:50
just
Melissa Derisca 27:51
talk
Steve Sines 27:51
talk
Melissa Derisca 27:51
about
Steve Sines 27:51
about
Melissa Derisca 27:51
it,
Steve Sines 27:51
it,
Melissa Derisca 27:51
but
Steve Sines 27:51
but
Melissa Derisca 27:52
act
Steve Sines 27:52
act
Melissa Derisca 27:52
on
Steve Sines 27:52
on
Melissa Derisca 27:52
it so
Steve Sines 27:52
it so
Melissa Derisca 27:52
I,
Steve Sines 27:52
I,
Melissa Derisca 27:53
my
Steve Sines 27:53
my
Melissa Derisca 27:53
head
Steve Sines 27:53
head
Melissa Derisca 27:54
is
Steve Sines 27:54
is
Melissa Derisca 27:54
off
Steve Sines 27:54
off
Melissa Derisca 27:54
to
Steve Sines 27:54
to
Melissa Derisca 27:54
you,
Steve Sines 27:54
you,
Melissa Derisca 27:54
it's
Steve Sines 27:54
it's
Melissa Derisca 27:55
our
Steve Sines 27:55
our
Melissa Derisca 27:55
lines.
Steve Sines 27:55
lines.
Rich Bennett 27:58
Keep that microphone there,
Melissa Derisca 27:59
ask.
Steve Sines 27:59
ask.
Rich Bennett 27:59
minute. I'm good to You have it. Repairs of the Steve. So, first of all, how long have you been with 755 lines now?
Melissa Derisca 28:08
I've
Steve Sines 28:08
I've
Melissa Derisca 28:08
been
Steve Sines 28:08
been
Melissa Derisca 28:08
an
Steve Sines 28:08
an
Melissa Derisca 28:09
honorary
Steve Sines 28:09
honorary
Melissa Derisca 28:09
member
Steve Sines 28:09
member
Melissa Derisca 28:09
for
Steve Sines 28:09
for
Melissa Derisca 28:10
about
Steve Sines 28:10
about
Melissa Derisca 28:10
a
Steve Sines 28:10
a
Melissa Derisca 28:10
year
Steve Sines 28:10
year
Melissa Derisca 28:11
and
Steve Sines 28:11
and
Melissa Derisca 28:11
a
Steve Sines 28:11
a
Melissa Derisca 28:11
half
Steve Sines 28:11
half
Rich Bennett 28:11
All right, why? What
Bangtam Miller 28:13
now.
Rich Bennett 28:13
would drew you to 755 lines?
Melissa Derisca 28:17
Bantan.
Steve Sines 28:17
Bantan.
Melissa Derisca 28:18
The
Steve Sines 28:18
The
Melissa Derisca 28:19
smile
Steve Sines 28:19
smile
Melissa Derisca 28:19
she's
Steve Sines 28:19
she's
Melissa Derisca 28:20
consistent.
Steve Sines 28:20
consistent.
Rich Bennett 28:21
That smile will get
Melissa Derisca 28:23
time.
Steve Sines 28:23
time.
Rich Bennett 28:23
you every
Melissa Derisca 28:23
It
Steve Sines 28:23
It
Melissa Derisca 28:23
will
Steve Sines 28:23
will
Melissa Derisca 28:23
get
Steve Sines 28:23
get
Melissa Derisca 28:24
you.
Steve Sines 28:24
you.
Melissa Derisca 28:26
And
Steve Sines 28:26
And
Melissa Derisca 28:26
in
Steve Sines 28:26
in
Melissa Derisca 28:26
the
Steve Sines 28:26
the
Melissa Derisca 28:27
fact
Steve Sines 28:27
fact
Melissa Derisca 28:27
that
Steve Sines 28:27
that
Melissa Derisca 28:27
she
Steve Sines 28:27
she
Melissa Derisca 28:28
is,
Steve Sines 28:28
is,
Melissa Derisca 28:29
she's
Steve Sines 28:29
she's
Melissa Derisca 28:29
about
Steve Sines 28:29
about
Melissa Derisca 28:30
what
Steve Sines 28:30
what
Melissa Derisca 28:30
she
Steve Sines 28:30
she
Melissa Derisca 28:31
says.
Steve Sines 28:31
says.
Rich Bennett 28:31
Yeah.
Melissa Derisca 28:32
you
Steve Sines 28:32
you
Melissa Derisca 28:33
know,
Steve Sines 28:33
know,
Melissa Derisca 28:34
she's
Steve Sines 28:34
she's
Melissa Derisca 28:34
very
Steve Sines 28:34
very
Melissa Derisca 28:34
sweet
Steve Sines 28:34
sweet
Melissa Derisca 28:34
and
Steve Sines 28:34
and
Melissa Derisca 28:35
very
Steve Sines 28:35
very
Melissa Derisca 28:35
unique.
Steve Sines 28:35
unique.
Melissa Derisca 28:37
But she's
Steve Sines 28:37
But she's
Melissa Derisca 28:37
a
Steve Sines 28:37
a
Melissa Derisca 28:37
firecracker
Steve Sines 28:37
firecracker
Melissa Derisca 28:38
and
Steve Sines 28:38
and
Melissa Derisca 28:38
I
Steve Sines 28:38
I
Melissa Derisca 28:38
love
Steve Sines 28:38
love
Melissa Derisca 28:38
her for
Steve Sines 28:38
her for
Melissa Derisca 28:39
it.
Steve Sines 28:39
it.
Melissa Derisca 28:40
But
Steve Sines 28:40
But
Melissa Derisca 28:40
it
Steve Sines 28:40
it
Melissa Derisca 28:40
gets
Steve Sines 28:40
gets
Melissa Derisca 28:41
done.
Steve Sines 28:41
done.
Melissa Derisca 28:41
You
Steve Sines 28:41
You
Melissa Derisca 28:42
know,
Steve Sines 28:42
know,
Melissa Derisca 28:42
nobody's
Steve Sines 28:42
nobody's
Melissa Derisca 28:42
just
Steve Sines 28:42
just
Melissa Derisca 28:43
talking
Steve Sines 28:43
talking
Melissa Derisca 28:43
it
Steve Sines 28:43
it
Melissa Derisca 28:43
gets
Steve Sines 28:43
gets
Melissa Derisca 28:44
done.
Steve Sines 28:44
done.
Bangtam Miller 28:44
That's
Melissa Derisca 28:45
And
Steve Sines 28:45
And
Melissa Derisca 28:45
I
Steve Sines 28:45
I
Bangtam Miller 28:45
the
Melissa Derisca 28:45
love
Steve Sines 28:45
love
Bangtam Miller 28:45
retired school administrator
Melissa Derisca 28:47
it.
Steve Sines 28:47
it.
Bangtam Miller 28:47
in me. I'm a taskmaster.
Melissa Derisca 28:48
And
Steve Sines 28:48
And
Bangtam Miller 28:49
I can plan and pull things together. I just need people to do it with me. And it's about teaching people to fish. I'm glad to hear Melissa say that she's learned a lot because I don't want to be the keeper of knowledge on how to navigate the, you know, the different services and things. So, it's incumbent upon me to form that alliance, bring people that have the common belief together, and then teach them how to navigate on their own so that the ownership across southern Harford, you know, we all love it. And some people just don't know how to get started. And so why reinvent the wheel.
Ron Filling 29:25
My thing is important to know that five years ago, only a small group of people knew who's 75/5 alliances. But now, if you travel around the county, we've become more than Edgewood and Joppa Town. This is more of a regional group now, primarily to southern part of Hartford County, where I'll have people that will approach me and they'll say, "I went to seek some information from Hartford County and they told me to go see 75/5 Alliance." And that's a good feeling, where you've got all these organizations now that five years ago, never heard of us, are seeking advice on how to get established and how to do. And, in turn, we help them. We'll give them the guidance on how to start off and get certain events started. And we've actually said we will partner with you, if you want to do that, we will partner with you. And I think that's a really good thing, and then we stand back and let them get the credit for it, because that's really what it's all about. It's making the whole community, it's bigger than just this community here. We have a big area, Hartford County is a wonderful, wonderful place to live.
Rich Bennett 30:43
Yeah, it is.
Ron Filling 30:44
And it's a big community, and so many people need help, but we can enhance all these different organizations that we are involved with, and it's really kind of fun. And I think we take a great deal of pride when groups come to us and say, "Hey, how do we get this done? Can you help us?" That's really fulfilling the prophecy of what 7, 5, 5, 5 was all about in the beginning was to help the neighborhood first and help everybody
Rich Bennett 31:12
Right.
Ron Filling 31:12
that we can.
Rich Bennett 31:13
Steve, you've been since they
Steve Sines 31:17
Yeah, almost.
Rich Bennett 31:18
all met
Steve Sines 31:18
Right after it was formed, I got that phone call from Bong Tom. He robed me in, and at the time,
Rich Bennett 31:27
you here.
Steve Sines 31:27
I was the president of Abington Fire Company, and I was involved in a couple of other non-profit organizations, and I said, "Bong Tom, you're going to get me divorced?" And my wife doesn't see me enough, and she tells me about it, but I agree. I grew up in Edgewood, as a number of people who are on the board
Rich Bennett 31:49
Right.
Steve Sines 31:49
did,
and I still live locally, I live in Abington. I think it's very important for us to give back. And Edgewood's always been
a great area. It's a great area to grow up, good, hard working people, great families, but it was often ignored by the county executive and Belair, and a lot of our elected officials. And to that note, I will say this because it deserves recognition. Even when Bob Castley, before he was the county executive, when he was a senator, Bob paid attention to the Route 40
Rich Bennett 32:33
Yeah.
Steve Sines 32:34
corridor. He was conscious of our needs, and what was going on? He didn't ignore us, and when he stepped into the county executive position, he stayed involved. He supported us, and a lot of thanks goes to Bob, and his administration, Rob Wagner, and a hostful of other people, that really helped get us recognition, funding, and traction. So that deserves to be said. So yeah, I started early on, I got roped in as a treasurer, I say, roped in, I enjoy it. We do a lot of good. We talk about the school lunch program. We had kids who were in a lot of debt with their school lunches, and they weren't going to get to report cards. They weren't going to get their diplomas. It was a problem. And we have folks, good, hard working people that the car breaks down. Bad things happen to good people, and they got to get to work. And we're fortunate enough that we can step in and help pay their car repair, stop the eviction of a young mother with some young children, and then saying that they have to have a plan,
Rich Bennett 33:51
Yeah.
Steve Sines 33:51
we can't bail them out for one month, and then to become a problem again, so we vet them and to make sure that they can take care of themselves going forward. They just need a boost up, a little bit of help to get back on track, and they're willing to work to carry it forward. We had a lady last year in the heat of the summer, her water was turned off, an elderly lady, which could be life
Rich Bennett 34:21
Yeah.
Steve Sines 34:21
threatening. And we heard that we immediately stepped in and got her water turned back on. So, uh, and that's a part I, I particularly enjoy. I like the community projects or whatever, but I like when it gets down to the grass roots and we're helping good people. Um, 'cause they, they need a little bit of help and a little bit of a boost.
Bangtam Miller 34:44
Steve's being very modest in that it could be 11 o'clock at night and I sent an urgent message to Steve, I need a check in the morning for this and this and then he gets it to me because, you know, um, it's just amazing. So he doesn't tell you that, but
Rich Bennett 35:00
Yeah.
Bangtam Miller 35:01
it can't happen without our treasure releasing the funds for it. And that's just some of the story. I mean, it is heartwarming when you know that your small group, small, but mighty group can impact and affect change for the positive. I mean, we talked about a family of single mom with four children that had not had water for over two months and then school started and they, we got the referral and then we made things happen, you know, and like I said, they have a plan. They just can't get past that one point and we were all very proud to be able to meet that need. And so I always think our treasure whenever I send a message and say, thank you in advance, but here's an ask.
Steve Sines 35:44
Well, I'll say this to people that we do help we get a lot of thank you notes. And you read these and if you don't tear up, you don't have a heart. It is, it's, it's nice and it's nice that what we're doing is appreciated. And I'm glad we're helping and making an impact on their lives and again, helping them get back on track.
Ron Filling 36:13
Yeah, that's an important thing in what we do is. Just like the ledge would zoo and the community clean ups and the concerts, you'll hear our name mentioned all the time, but these little things where we're helping individual families, the only person that hears about them is us. They'll send us a letter that says, thank you. And that means as much as the newspaper of Facebook posts, it said 755 put on a free concert, but that one letter from that family that you helped
Rich Bennett 36:43
means a
Ron Filling 36:44
That's
Rich Bennett 36:44
lot.
Ron Filling 36:45
that's probably sometimes more important because then that touches home to what you really want to do. We like doing the big projects, but you can't forget all the people that make the community up. And I think it's really
Steve Sines 36:58
Well, Ron, you know, Bontan mentioned the family with the four children and their water had been turned off for two months. You got kids, you know, whether they're in late elementary school, middle school, high school, if they can't bathe,
Rich Bennett 37:12
that.
Steve Sines 37:13
that's a problem. And then they, you know, they don't smell nice and then kids are making fun of them. And it just snowballs and it affects the kids. Self esteem and it just becomes a problem. And we heard that, and I had almost forgotten about how long their water was off. And we both said to each other, this is important. We really need to get their water turned back on. And we did.
Rich Bennett 37:40
Melissa, you keep raising your hand. You know, we're not in school. Bank, do you're retired, right? You're not a teacher anymore, right? So you don't need to raise your hand.
Bangtam Miller 37:48
Yeah, but I trained the team well.
Steve Sines 37:50
I
Melissa Derisca 37:50
I
Steve Sines 37:51
did.
Melissa Derisca 37:51
did.
Steve Sines 37:51
It's
Melissa Derisca 37:51
It's
Steve Sines 37:52
a
Melissa Derisca 37:52
a
Steve Sines 37:52
respect
Melissa Derisca 37:52
respect
Steve Sines 37:52
factor.
Melissa Derisca 37:52
factor.
Steve Sines 37:53
I
Melissa Derisca 37:53
I
Steve Sines 37:53
just
Melissa Derisca 37:53
just
Steve Sines 37:53
was
Melissa Derisca 37:53
was
Steve Sines 37:54
going
Melissa Derisca 37:54
going
Steve Sines 37:54
to
Melissa Derisca 37:54
to
Steve Sines 37:54
say
Melissa Derisca 37:54
say
Steve Sines 37:54
so
Melissa Derisca 37:54
so
Steve Sines 37:54
I'm
Melissa Derisca 37:54
I'm
Steve Sines 37:54
on
Melissa Derisca 37:54
on
Steve Sines 37:55
both
Melissa Derisca 37:55
both
Steve Sines 37:55
sides
Melissa Derisca 37:55
sides
Steve Sines 37:55
of
Melissa Derisca 37:55
of
Steve Sines 37:55
it.
Melissa Derisca 37:55
it.
Rich Bennett 37:56
So I'm sorry. No, you don't need to. No, I'm sorry. Go ahead.
Steve Sines 37:59
So
Melissa Derisca 37:59
So
Steve Sines 38:00
in
Melissa Derisca 38:00
in
Steve Sines 38:00
the
Melissa Derisca 38:00
the
Steve Sines 38:00
community,
Melissa Derisca 38:00
community,
Steve Sines 38:01
I've
Melissa Derisca 38:01
I've
Steve Sines 38:01
got
Melissa Derisca 38:01
got
Steve Sines 38:01
to
Melissa Derisca 38:01
to
Steve Sines 38:02
see
Melissa Derisca 38:02
see
Steve Sines 38:02
the
Melissa Derisca 38:02
the
Steve Sines 38:02
benefit,
Melissa Derisca 38:02
benefit,
Steve Sines 38:02
even
Melissa Derisca 38:02
even
Steve Sines 38:03
in
Melissa Derisca 38:03
in
Steve Sines 38:03
my
Melissa Derisca 38:03
my
Steve Sines 38:03
neighborhood,
Melissa Derisca 38:03
neighborhood,
Steve Sines 38:04
as
Melissa Derisca 38:04
as
Steve Sines 38:04
we
Melissa Derisca 38:04
we
Steve Sines 38:05
have
Melissa Derisca 38:05
have
Steve Sines 38:05
been
Melissa Derisca 38:05
been
Steve Sines 38:05
repaying
Melissa Derisca 38:05
repaying
Steve Sines 38:06
the
Melissa Derisca 38:06
the
Steve Sines 38:06
roads.
Melissa Derisca 38:06
roads.
Steve Sines 38:08
755,
Melissa Derisca 38:08
755,
Steve Sines 38:09
they
Melissa Derisca 38:09
they
Steve Sines 38:09
put
Melissa Derisca 38:09
put
Steve Sines 38:10
up
Melissa Derisca 38:10
up
Steve Sines 38:10
the
Melissa Derisca 38:10
the
Steve Sines 38:10
money
Melissa Derisca 38:10
money
Steve Sines 38:10
for
Melissa Derisca 38:10
for
Steve Sines 38:11
our
Melissa Derisca 38:11
our
Steve Sines 38:12
roads
Melissa Derisca 38:12
roads
Steve Sines 38:12
to
Melissa Derisca 38:12
to
Steve Sines 38:12
be
Melissa Derisca 38:12
be
Steve Sines 38:13
redone.
Melissa Derisca 38:13
redone.
Steve Sines 38:13
And
Melissa Derisca 38:13
And
Steve Sines 38:13
then
Melissa Derisca 38:13
then
Steve Sines 38:13
we
Melissa Derisca 38:13
we
Steve Sines 38:14
had
Melissa Derisca 38:14
had
Steve Sines 38:14
somebody
Melissa Derisca 38:14
somebody
Steve Sines 38:15
complain
Melissa Derisca 38:15
complain
Steve Sines 38:15
for
Melissa Derisca 38:15
for
Steve Sines 38:15
a
Melissa Derisca 38:15
a
Steve Sines 38:15
very
Melissa Derisca 38:15
very
Steve Sines 38:15
long
Melissa Derisca 38:15
long
Steve Sines 38:16
time
Melissa Derisca 38:16
time
Steve Sines 38:16
about
Melissa Derisca 38:16
about
Steve Sines 38:16
how
Melissa Derisca 38:16
how
Steve Sines 38:17
cars
Melissa Derisca 38:17
cars
Steve Sines 38:18
got
Melissa Derisca 38:18
got
Steve Sines 38:18
up
Melissa Derisca 38:18
up
Steve Sines 38:18
and
Melissa Derisca 38:18
and
Steve Sines 38:18
down
Melissa Derisca 38:18
down
Steve Sines 38:18
our
Melissa Derisca 38:18
our
Steve Sines 38:19
road.
Melissa Derisca 38:19
road.
Steve Sines 38:19
We
Melissa Derisca 38:19
We
Steve Sines 38:19
had
Melissa Derisca 38:19
had
Steve Sines 38:19
a
Melissa Derisca 38:19
a
Steve Sines 38:20
speed
Melissa Derisca 38:20
speed
Steve Sines 38:20
hump
Melissa Derisca 38:20
hump
Steve Sines 38:21
added
Melissa Derisca 38:21
added
Steve Sines 38:21
to
Melissa Derisca 38:21
to
Steve Sines 38:21
that.
Melissa Derisca 38:21
that.
Steve Sines 38:22
And
Melissa Derisca 38:22
And
Steve Sines 38:22
that
Melissa Derisca 38:22
that
Steve Sines 38:22
was
Melissa Derisca 38:22
was
Steve Sines 38:22
a
Melissa Derisca 38:22
a
Steve Sines 38:22
partnership
Melissa Derisca 38:22
partnership
Steve Sines 38:23
between
Melissa Derisca 38:23
between
Steve Sines 38:23
Robert
Melissa Derisca 38:23
Robert
Steve Sines 38:24
and
Melissa Derisca 38:24
and
Steve Sines 38:24
David.
Melissa Derisca 38:24
David.
Steve Sines 38:25
And
Melissa Derisca 38:25
And
Steve Sines 38:25
a
Melissa Derisca 38:25
a
Steve Sines 38:26
sheriff's
Melissa Derisca 38:26
sheriff's
Steve Sines 38:26
department,
Melissa Derisca 38:26
department,
Steve Sines 38:26
right?
Melissa Derisca 38:26
right?
Steve Sines 38:27
So
Melissa Derisca 38:27
So
Steve Sines 38:28
with
Melissa Derisca 38:28
with
Steve Sines 38:28
all
Melissa Derisca 38:28
all
Steve Sines 38:28
of
Melissa Derisca 38:28
of
Steve Sines 38:28
that.
Melissa Derisca 38:28
that.
Steve Sines 38:29
And
Melissa Derisca 38:29
And
Steve Sines 38:29
then
Melissa Derisca 38:29
then
Steve Sines 38:30
as
Melissa Derisca 38:30
as
Steve Sines 38:30
you
Melissa Derisca 38:30
you
Steve Sines 38:30
see
Melissa Derisca 38:30
see
Steve Sines 38:30
these
Melissa Derisca 38:30
these
Steve Sines 38:30
roads
Melissa Derisca 38:30
roads
Steve Sines 38:31
and
Melissa Derisca 38:31
and
Steve Sines 38:31
this
Melissa Derisca 38:31
this
Steve Sines 38:31
beautification
Melissa Derisca 38:31
beautification
Steve Sines 38:32
happening
Melissa Derisca 38:32
happening
Steve Sines 38:32
in
Melissa Derisca 38:32
in
Steve Sines 38:33
the
Melissa Derisca 38:33
the
Steve Sines 38:33
Iowa,
Melissa Derisca 38:33
Iowa,
Steve Sines 38:33
it's
Melissa Derisca 38:33
it's
Steve Sines 38:34
a
Melissa Derisca 38:34
a
Steve Sines 38:34
big
Melissa Derisca 38:34
big
Steve Sines 38:34
part
Melissa Derisca 38:34
part
Steve Sines 38:34
of
Melissa Derisca 38:34
of
Steve Sines 38:35
that,
Melissa Derisca 38:35
that,
Steve Sines 38:35
even
Melissa Derisca 38:35
even
Steve Sines 38:35
down
Melissa Derisca 38:35
down
Steve Sines 38:35
to
Melissa Derisca 38:35
to
Steve Sines 38:35
the
Melissa Derisca 38:35
the
Steve Sines 38:36
basketball
Melissa Derisca 38:36
basketball
Steve Sines 38:36
court
Melissa Derisca 38:36
court
Steve Sines 38:37
behind
Melissa Derisca 38:37
behind
Steve Sines 38:37
the
Melissa Derisca 38:37
the
Steve Sines 38:37
old
Melissa Derisca 38:37
old
Steve Sines 38:38
giants.
Melissa Derisca 38:38
giants.
Steve Sines 38:38
That
Melissa Derisca 38:38
That
Steve Sines 38:39
got
Melissa Derisca 38:39
got
Steve Sines 38:39
done
Melissa Derisca 38:39
done
Steve Sines 38:39
twice.
Melissa Derisca 38:39
twice.
Bangtam Miller 38:40
So that was our actual first project of revitalization to reconstruct an area that was dilapidated. And the community was hosting their seventh annual tournament. And we said, you know, we can help them out and make it better so that it lifts everybody's spirit. You know, when you fix that broken window, then people tend to kind of preserve that. So that's our
Steve Sines 39:05
And
Melissa Derisca 39:05
And
Bangtam Miller 39:05
mom.
Ron Filling 39:05
It's also the area that was primary cleanup area that we took care of behind those businesses. And I know at one point one of the business owners was saying, well they never keep it clean and then he walked back there and he couldn't believe that
Steve Sines 39:20
this
Melissa Derisca 39:20
this
Ron Filling 39:21
was right
Steve Sines 39:21
is
Melissa Derisca 39:21
is
Steve Sines 39:21
believe
Melissa Derisca 39:21
believe
Ron Filling 39:21
behind his business. It was spotless.
Steve Sines 39:23
it.
Melissa Derisca 39:23
it.
Steve Sines 39:23
That's
Melissa Derisca 39:23
That's
Steve Sines 39:23
right.
Melissa Derisca 39:23
right.
Ron Filling 39:23
They've kept it clean. They need to just need some trash barrels back there and it's really changed over. And there's a young fellow named Tyrone to put these basketball tournaments together. He's another unsung hero. He doesn't get as much credit as he is and he's a hard hard worker.
Steve Sines 39:40
Yes.
Melissa Derisca 39:40
Yes.
Ron Filling 39:40
And he puts these basketball tournaments together and brings hundreds and hundreds of people to that basketball court.
Steve Sines 39:47
Right
Melissa Derisca 39:47
Right
Steve Sines 39:47
back
Melissa Derisca 39:47
back
Steve Sines 39:47
to
Melissa Derisca 39:47
to
Steve Sines 39:47
Edgie
Melissa Derisca 39:47
Edgie
Steve Sines 39:48
Wood.
Melissa Derisca 39:48
Wood.
Steve Sines 39:48
Right
Melissa Derisca 39:48
Right
Steve Sines 39:48
back
Melissa Derisca 39:48
back
Steve Sines 39:48
to
Melissa Derisca 39:48
to
Steve Sines 39:49
the
Melissa Derisca 39:49
the
Steve Sines 39:49
755
Melissa Derisca 39:49
755
Steve Sines 39:50
and
Melissa Derisca 39:50
and
Steve Sines 39:51
something
Melissa Derisca 39:51
something
Steve Sines 39:51
else
Melissa Derisca 39:51
else
Steve Sines 39:51
she
Melissa Derisca 39:51
she
Steve Sines 39:51
didn't
Melissa Derisca 39:51
didn't
Steve Sines 39:52
say.
Melissa Derisca 39:52
say.
Steve Sines 39:53
755.
Melissa Derisca 39:53
755.
Steve Sines 39:54
She
Melissa Derisca 39:54
She
Steve Sines 39:54
has
Melissa Derisca 39:54
has
Steve Sines 39:54
a
Melissa Derisca 39:54
a
Steve Sines 39:54
lot
Melissa Derisca 39:54
lot
Steve Sines 39:55
of
Melissa Derisca 39:55
of
Steve Sines 39:55
stories.
Melissa Derisca 39:55
stories.
Steve Sines 39:55
And
Melissa Derisca 39:55
And
Steve Sines 39:56
as
Melissa Derisca 39:56
as
Steve Sines 39:57
they're
Melissa Derisca 39:57
they're
Steve Sines 39:57
all
Melissa Derisca 39:57
all
Steve Sines 39:58
coming
Melissa Derisca 39:58
coming
Steve Sines 39:58
together
Melissa Derisca 39:58
together
Steve Sines 39:59
with
Melissa Derisca 39:59
with
Steve Sines 40:00
the
Melissa Derisca 40:00
the
Steve Sines 40:00
thank
Melissa Derisca 40:00
thank
Steve Sines 40:00
you
Melissa Derisca 40:00
you
Steve Sines 40:01
notes,
Melissa Derisca 40:01
notes,
Steve Sines 40:01
getting
Melissa Derisca 40:01
getting
Steve Sines 40:01
out
Melissa Derisca 40:01
out
Steve Sines 40:02
of
Melissa Derisca 40:02
of
Steve Sines 40:02
poverty,
Melissa Derisca 40:02
poverty,
Steve Sines 40:03
she's
Melissa Derisca 40:03
she's
Steve Sines 40:03
also
Melissa Derisca 40:03
also
Steve Sines 40:04
employing
Melissa Derisca 40:04
employing
Steve Sines 40:05
people.
Melissa Derisca 40:05
people.
Steve Sines 40:05
They
Melissa Derisca 40:05
They
Steve Sines 40:05
need
Melissa Derisca 40:05
need
Steve Sines 40:06
help.
Melissa Derisca 40:06
help.
Steve Sines 40:07
So
Melissa Derisca 40:07
So
Steve Sines 40:08
you
Melissa Derisca 40:08
you
Steve Sines 40:08
know,
Melissa Derisca 40:08
know,
Steve Sines 40:09
whether
Melissa Derisca 40:09
whether
Steve Sines 40:09
it's
Melissa Derisca 40:09
it's
Steve Sines 40:09
the
Melissa Derisca 40:09
the
Steve Sines 40:09
laundromat,
Melissa Derisca 40:09
laundromat,
Steve Sines 40:10
whether
Melissa Derisca 40:10
whether
Steve Sines 40:10
it's
Melissa Derisca 40:10
it's
Steve Sines 40:10
a
Melissa Derisca 40:10
a
Steve Sines 40:11
connection
Melissa Derisca 40:11
connection
Steve Sines 40:11
that
Melissa Derisca 40:11
that
Steve Sines 40:11
she
Melissa Derisca 40:11
she
Steve Sines 40:12
knows,
Melissa Derisca 40:12
knows,
Steve Sines 40:12
she's
Melissa Derisca 40:12
she's
Steve Sines 40:13
helping.
Melissa Derisca 40:13
helping.
Steve Sines 40:13
She's
Melissa Derisca 40:13
She's
Steve Sines 40:13
helping
Melissa Derisca 40:13
helping
Steve Sines 40:14
you
Melissa Derisca 40:14
you
Steve Sines 40:14
help
Melissa Derisca 40:14
help
Steve Sines 40:14
yourself.
Melissa Derisca 40:14
yourself.
Steve Sines 40:15
And
Melissa Derisca 40:15
And
Steve Sines 40:16
that
Melissa Derisca 40:16
that
Steve Sines 40:16
is
Melissa Derisca 40:16
is
Steve Sines 40:17
key
Melissa Derisca 40:17
key
Steve Sines 40:17
because
Melissa Derisca 40:17
because
Steve Sines 40:17
we
Melissa Derisca 40:17
we
Steve Sines 40:18
see
Melissa Derisca 40:18
see
Steve Sines 40:18
a
Melissa Derisca 40:18
a
Steve Sines 40:18
lot
Melissa Derisca 40:18
lot
Steve Sines 40:18
of
Melissa Derisca 40:18
of
Steve Sines 40:18
non-profit
Melissa Derisca 40:18
non-profit
Steve Sines 40:20
organizations.
Melissa Derisca 40:20
organizations.
Steve Sines 40:20
They're
Melissa Derisca 40:20
They're
Steve Sines 40:21
self-centered
Melissa Derisca 40:21
self-centered
Steve Sines 40:21
and
Melissa Derisca 40:21
and
Steve Sines 40:22
I
Melissa Derisca 40:22
I
Steve Sines 40:22
don't
Melissa Derisca 40:22
don't
Steve Sines 40:22
want
Melissa Derisca 40:22
want
Steve Sines 40:22
to
Melissa Derisca 40:22
to
Steve Sines 40:22
say
Melissa Derisca 40:22
say
Steve Sines 40:22
that,
Melissa Derisca 40:22
that,
Steve Sines 40:23
but
Melissa Derisca 40:23
but
Steve Sines 40:23
I'm
Melissa Derisca 40:23
I'm
Steve Sines 40:23
going
Melissa Derisca 40:23
going
Steve Sines 40:23
to
Melissa Derisca 40:23
to
Steve Sines 40:23
say
Melissa Derisca 40:23
say
Steve Sines 40:24
it.
Melissa Derisca 40:24
it.
Rich Bennett 40:24
You're right
Steve Sines 40:24
But
Melissa Derisca 40:24
But
Rich Bennett 40:24
though.
Steve Sines 40:25
this
Melissa Derisca 40:25
this
Steve Sines 40:25
one
Melissa Derisca 40:25
one
Steve Sines 40:25
is
Melissa Derisca 40:25
is
Steve Sines 40:25
a
Melissa Derisca 40:25
a
Steve Sines 40:26
selfless
Melissa Derisca 40:26
selfless
Rich Bennett 40:26
one. Yeah.
Steve Sines 40:27
We
Melissa Derisca 40:27
We
Steve Sines 40:28
remember
Melissa Derisca 40:28
remember
Steve Sines 40:28
a
Melissa Derisca 40:28
a
Steve Sines 40:28
time
Melissa Derisca 40:28
time
Steve Sines 40:28
when
Melissa Derisca 40:28
when
Steve Sines 40:28
we
Melissa Derisca 40:28
we
Steve Sines 40:29
didn't
Melissa Derisca 40:29
didn't
Steve Sines 40:30
have
Melissa Derisca 40:30
have
Steve Sines 40:30
it
Melissa Derisca 40:30
it
Steve Sines 40:30
when
Melissa Derisca 40:30
when
Steve Sines 40:30
we
Melissa Derisca 40:30
we
Steve Sines 40:30
did have
Melissa Derisca 40:30
did have
Steve Sines 40:30
and
Melissa Derisca 40:30
and
Steve Sines 40:30
we
Melissa Derisca 40:30
we
Steve Sines 40:31
knew
Melissa Derisca 40:31
knew
Steve Sines 40:31
that
Melissa Derisca 40:31
that
Steve Sines 40:31
somebody
Melissa Derisca 40:31
somebody
Steve Sines 40:32
connected
Melissa Derisca 40:32
connected
Steve Sines 40:33
to
Melissa Derisca 40:33
to
Steve Sines 40:33
us
Melissa Derisca 40:33
us
Steve Sines 40:33
needed
Melissa Derisca 40:33
needed
Steve Sines 40:33
a
Melissa Derisca 40:33
a
Steve Sines 40:33
helping
Melissa Derisca 40:33
helping
Steve Sines 40:34
hand.
Melissa Derisca 40:34
hand.
Steve Sines 40:35
Well,
Melissa Derisca 40:35
Well,
Steve Sines 40:35
teach
Melissa Derisca 40:35
teach
Steve Sines 40:35
them.
Melissa Derisca 40:35
them.
Steve Sines 40:36
And
Melissa Derisca 40:36
And
Steve Sines 40:36
that's
Melissa Derisca 40:36
that's
Steve Sines 40:37
what
Melissa Derisca 40:37
what
Steve Sines 40:37
we're
Melissa Derisca 40:37
we're
Steve Sines 40:38
doing.
Melissa Derisca 40:38
doing.
Steve Sines 40:38
That's
Melissa Derisca 40:38
That's
Steve Sines 40:38
what
Melissa Derisca 40:38
what
Steve Sines 40:38
she's
Melissa Derisca 40:38
she's
Steve Sines 40:38
doing.
Melissa Derisca 40:38
doing.
Steve Sines 40:39
Teaching.
Melissa Derisca 40:39
Teaching.
Steve Sines 40:40
It's
Melissa Derisca 40:40
It's
Steve Sines 40:41
beautiful.
Melissa Derisca 40:41
beautiful.
Ron Filling 40:42
Facebook, that the legend is trying to raise the minimum wage to $25. And now or when that happens, I'm going to work for Bontal Miller as
Rich Bennett 40:50
well.
Bangtam Miller 40:51
You
Jeff Beck 40:51
will be
Ron Filling 40:52
both.
Robert Wagner 40:52
You mentioned the roads repaving. That's just one instance of where 755 did step up and accomplish something that Hartford County government couldn't. Hartford County government was already repaving. A lot of the roads in that development you're speaking of. The problem was there were some private roads in there. So how bad would it be to be living in a development where the main roads that run through it that were county own roads got repaved and looked real nice. And the private roads, and that was just a flaw in ownership back that goes back 40 years that wasn't turned over to the community or I'm sorry to the county. So she stepped up and 755 was right there to make that happen. And we could arrange for the money to be funneled through so that it 755 could do it where we couldn't do it. Same thing with HOAs that Hartford Square is a great example of that. Without 755 alliances help Hartford County couldn't have done the things we've done there so far, which was the revitalization of the clubhouse that hadn't been opened in I guess ten years something like
Bangtam Miller 42:02
that.
Robert Wagner 42:03
You know the whole place has been revitalized and hopefully it's given them a real asset in that community. And I know there's some other things that you've got envisioned to happen shortly, but you guys are in charge of that. So go ahead
Bangtam Miller 42:16
tell
Robert Wagner 42:16
and
Bangtam Miller 42:17
us about what
Robert Wagner 42:17
that is going to be.
Rich Bennett 42:21
Our
Bangtam Miller 42:22
next big project is going to be revitalizing the open the grounds of the Hartford Square Community Center. So we're looking at a reconstruction of the multi-use court of their playground adding some low impact fitness equipment, some outdoor bench seating for beautification and that's just for starters.
Oh, yes, that's a different area. So we just proposed, um, you know, so Lake Serene is another area right by that basketball court that we reconstructed. And so the county is working on repaving the walking trail, the bridges, and the DNR has established as a, uh, phishing area, so they've stocked it with fish. And so we said, you know, it's going to make a nice phishing spot. All we need is some benches so we have a project coming to provide some outdoor bench seating to a company that new walking trail. Um, so we're always looking at partnering and enhancing current projects so that we can make it better. And so as people look around and see that, hey, you know, they do care about our neighborhood, that's our message is that, um, build it and they'll come and, uh, and we hope people will continue to join our efforts. And again, when it's a selfless effort, people will want to be a part of it. And I think that's how come we've been able to reach far and wide with different projects because people know we will come and help and get it done, um, to accomplish the, you know, meet the greater need of the community.
Ron Filling 44:01
If you can go back to the Harvard Square item for a second is, um, 755 was kind of, um, guiding them through a lot of things and how to get started on it. But we decided in, in, in 2024 to buy them a flag for their flagpole. And it was amazing that we decided to buy it, uh, and erected on, uh, and hoisted on June 14th, which was flag day.
Rich Bennett 44:30
Mark,
Ron Filling 44:30
And we put the word out and we had about 150 people show up to see us raise the flag, many of which had never been to the community center before.
Rich Bennett 44:42
wow.
Ron Filling 44:42
So it's a little things like that that get the awareness out. And then the next thing you know, they want to open the gardens, they want to open the pool. They're clean in the tennis courts. We may even have put a community garden there at one time. But you know, there's so much more and it's a nice plot of land. But I always sit back and think about what that flag meant that day. That brought a whole portion of the community together and everybody was celebrated. We had singers there. We had people that didn't know they could sing. We were singing. It was, it was unbelievable. The sheriff's office showed up. And we just had the military there and all the people from the county were there. It had to be 150 people celebrating a flag that day. It
Steve Sines 45:27
nice.
Ron Filling 45:27
was
Bangtam Miller 45:27
And we
Ron Filling 45:27
really
Bangtam Miller 45:28
sang Grand Old Flag of course.
Ron Filling 45:31
Bonton led to singing that day.
Bangtam Miller 45:34
Yeah.
Rich Bennett 45:34
Rob you've 20 years of service first of all in county governments. So thank you for that. But those 20 years have you ever seen a local nonprofit? I want to say true nonprofit grow
as fast as 755 lines and do as much as they have. And to top it off, I like to say they are one of the smallest nonprofits out there with the biggest heart.
Robert Wagner 46:02
I've never seen this kind of action for many other group throughout all those years that go all the way back to my career in Hartford County government goes back in 1990. So now I've not seen the kind of power that's behind this group and any other group out there as a nonprofit. And stir up as much pride in the community as what they've done.
Rich Bennett 46:25
Yeah.
Robert Wagner 46:25
That's key to it is a lot of these things we're doing. Not only are they things that need to be done, they're building pride back in the neighborhoods that have lost that pride over the years. And that's part of Mr. Castleies, you know, chore 2 or his goal is to put pride back in the communities and a lot of the things we're doing it doesn't relate to 755. But the community we're trying to do some things through parks and rec to integrate the youth into things that will instill pride in them and come up through so that they're the future of all our communities.
Rich Bennett 47:00
Yeah.
Robert Wagner 47:00
So hopefully we will get them back involved and see an upswing which we have in many of the programs. But now 755 Alliance is second to none. Absolutely.
Ron Filling 47:10
We'll talk about the rec council about lack of kids in a recreation group and how that's
Robert Wagner 47:16
grown. Yeah, it was you know three years ago, nearly four now, but three years ago the recreation programs were
Rich Bennett 47:26
diminishing
Robert Wagner 47:27
in the floundering.
Rich Bennett 47:28
Yeah.
Robert Wagner 47:28
A lot of children were not. And that's what I say to
Bangtam Miller 47:30
everybody that
Robert Wagner 47:31
you know we can do everything in the world to throw
Bangtam Miller 47:33
there.
Robert Wagner 47:33
programs out We need
Bangtam Miller 47:35
participation. Step up, if
Robert Wagner 47:37
it's there for you, take advantage and
Bangtam Miller 47:40
participate.
Robert Wagner 47:40
That makes all the difference in the world. And you know, we've seen it grow huge. I mean, all the
Bangtam Miller 47:46
programs that
Robert Wagner 47:47
We've
Bangtam Miller 47:47
we've
Robert Wagner 47:47
got going
Bangtam Miller 47:48
got
Robert Wagner 47:48
on right now involving
Steve Sines 47:50
going
Robert Wagner 47:50
youth.
Steve Sines 47:50
on, you truly
Robert Wagner 47:50
They have, they have exploded. They truly have.
Bangtam Miller 47:52
have.
Robert Wagner 47:53
You know, we've got lights up down at, uh, edgewood, cunion field. Edgewood Park there for night games and stuff there so that the kids can practice after, after hours. It gets dark at four thirty five o'clock.
Rich Bennett 48:06
Jeffs.
Robert Wagner 48:07
So there's lights down there now to accommodate that. That hasn't happened in years and years. So all these things together fit, fit together to build a better community. And you know, we've all seen it. I've spoken to retailers down here that if you ask them and I did. What are you, what have you seen from when we first started? They say they can see a change. It's subtle
Rich Bennett 48:31
Yeah.
Robert Wagner 48:32
change. It's coming. But and it's not going to happen overnight and we all know that.
Rich Bennett 48:35
Nothing ever
Robert Wagner 48:36
Never
Rich Bennett 48:36
does.
Robert Wagner 48:37
does. So you didn't get where we are. You know, we're have been in the last few years. It's going to take a few years to get out of it and get things on an upward swing.
Rich Bennett 48:47
The thing is and I think it's because of what you guys are doing. Edgewood is back on the map for good.
Robert Wagner 48:55
Yeah,
Rich Bennett 48:55
Yeah, with the concerts and everything else that you're doing, ledge is a ledgewood.
Robert Wagner 48:59
it's led.
Rich Bennett 49:00
You keep saying ledge wood zoo. Run. That's what it's called.
Ron Filling 49:04
Let's see that's what they call the skate park
Rich Bennett 49:06
zoo. Wood
Bangtam Miller 49:09
to for a hodgepodge of structures that
Robert Wagner 49:11
together.
Bangtam Miller 49:11
came So
Rich Bennett 49:15
oh,
Ron Filling 49:17
sorry, time keeper.
Rich Bennett 49:18
Oh, our time keeper. Okay.
Bangtam Miller 49:20
Time keeper's giving us the signal. So I know we're wrapping up our time with you today, Rich. I just want to say that, you know, if you have that vision and and you do it with the heart that you that we have, I think other people will want to follow suit, you know, and take ownership in their neighborhoods. We want to change that whole perception and and we're seeing that happen. Jeff Beck is here because he really liked what we're doing and he's from Japatown and here he is supporting our group and we want to have that same spirit spread to japatown and help them too because you know we're all in the same.
Rich Bennett 50:04
Yeah,
Bangtam Miller 50:04
same community.
Ron Filling 50:05
I would like to say Richard, thank you for allowing us to spread our message out here today. We really
Rich Bennett 50:11
So,
Ron Filling 50:11
appreciate the time.
Rich Bennett 50:12
I've told you guys since the first time the door is always open.
Bangtam Miller 50:17
We've been too busy.
Jeff Beck 50:18
We got to get back on here because there's hours more to talk about.
Ron Filling 50:21
We'll be back next week.
Bangtam Miller 50:25
Ron
Rich Bennett 50:25
I
Bangtam Miller 50:25
we'll be back.
Rich Bennett 50:26
want to thank you all and something very important everybody here probably knows, but the people listening. What's the website?
Bangtam Miller 50:35
Our website is www. 755alliance. org, check us out on Facebook because we do manage that to be more updated because it's a free platform.
Rich Bennett 50:49
If we're those of you in other states, countries, counties, towns, whatever, if you need any assistance on how to start a 501 C3, I'm sure a PENKTOM would be more than happy to help
Steve Sines 51:01
you
Rich Bennett 51:01
out. So, reach out to her. I want to thank you all so much.
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