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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes October 27, 2008
Maurice Patterson called the meeting to order and gave the opening prayer.
Stan Verret presented the flag and joined Maurice in leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the July 28, 2008 TBBSA Meeting were accepted as written. (Vote was unanimous except for one negative vote.)
Janna Lehman gave the Treasurer's Report. There is a balance of $6,629.05 total funds available. All the bills are paid. Treasurer's Report was approved as given. (Vote was unanimous except for one negative vote.)
Old Business:
REPORT ON SPRAYERS: Janna reported having received information from the Toledo Bend Lake Association regarding a group of 20 people from the Louisiana Fish and Wildlife Association that would be coming to spray for the Giant Salvinia. The State of Louisiana is paying $100,000 for chemicals and transportation. The LA-SRA was putting the group up at the San Miguel Park, but was requesting help from the Toledo Bend Lake Association to pay for three meals per day. Jerry Lehman is on the TBLA board, so Janna heard and asked about TBBSA splitting the bill for the meals, since the spraying would also benefit the Texas side of the lake. TBLA agreed to let us help with the bill. Our part amounted to $644. Janna said we have photos of the checks being presented to group. Maurice said there will eventually be an article in the paper about the spraying.
DEERFEST AND LETTER-WRITING CAMPAIGN: Maurice said the Deerfest was an unbelievable success, and thanked everyone that helped, particularly Sherry and Art Thibodeaux, who 'licked' a lot of envelopes. Janna said there were over 1000 letters signed and mailed to our legislators. Tom Trussell from Center reported a big success in getting over 800 letters signed and mailed, and told about three airboats working in the north end of the lake, spraying for Salvinia. Further discussion followed about the spraying efforts. Janna said a reporter from New Orleans called and wanted to talk with someone at the north end of the lake, so she referred her to Tom. Apparently the word is getting out about the problem. Glen Provost spoke about the need to contact our legislators about getting the funding to take care of the programs to control the Salvinia and other threats to the lake. He said this problem is different than our efforts about the lake level in that it is going to need funds appropriated at the state level to solve this problem.
Glen feels we need to take up this task in January when the legislature convenes and congress goes back into session, and consistently contact our senator and representative about getting the funding for this project. More discussion followed about legislative processes.
New Business:
MILAM SETTLERS DAY: Maurice and Janna asked if members thought TBBSA should have a booth at Milam Settlers Day. There was no interest in having a booth this year. Janna will be there to represent the downtown merchants.
RECYCLING PROGRAM: Bob Kustermann, a Hemphill City Councilman, spoke to our members about getting an organization together to spearhead efforts to recycle in our city and county. He said the first meeting will be November 10th at 6:00 P.M. in the library. Bob responded to questions, and further discussion followed. Bob has talked with Lynn Wallworth in Lufkin and has been told a trailer can be supplied. He talked about the collection trailer from Lufkin that is now being left in Pineland on the second weekend of the month. He encouraged everyone to get involved to help with the organization of this committee. Maurice thanked Bob for speaking to our group.
Other Comments:
NEWSLETTER: Janna will send out a newsletter with a Dues Notice just prior to the next meeting.
GIANT SALVINIA: Glen asked if we ever received any dollar amount needed by TPWD to fight the Salvinia. Janna said we never received any information about the amount needed or their budget for that project. Glen reminded us we have to let Senator Nichols know we are behind him in efforts to obtain funding.
Next Meeting Date: January 26, 2009 @ 6:30 P.M.
Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
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