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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes October 22, 2007
Maurice Patterson, Texas Co-Chairman, called the meeting to order and gave the opening prayer.
Stan Verret presented the flag and joined Maurice in leading The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Minutes of the September 24, 2007 TBBSA Meeting were approved as written.
Janna Lehman gave the Treasurer's Report. There are 19 organizations and 387 associate members. All the bills are paid, including the last Newsletter. The current account balance is $9,219.24 The Treasurer's Report was approved as presented.
Maurice asked members if the Newsletters are being received. Janna has written one, and he has written two. He invites anyone who would to write the fourth one.
Old Business: LAKE CADDO: Maurice and Stan Verret visited with Jack Canson about the efforts being used to control Giant Salvinia on Lake Caddo. He mentioned the 2.1 miles of fence they have placed to halt the spread of this weed. Maurice said Mr. Canson and his associates have an excellent presentation that they will share with us when we have our seminar. (Maurice passed around a folder of photos and information on the Lake Caddo and the efforts underway to attempt to control the salvinia.)
TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE, JASPER: Maurice and Cliff Hunt visited with Howard Elder and Dan Bennett at Texas Parks and Wildlife. Both men are biologists with advanced degrees and have a good handle on where the salvinia is and what to do to control it, but have a problem of getting the money for the program. After the visit with TPW, Maurice called Senator Nichols, who is very knowledgeable about salvinia. Senator Nichols explained to Maurice about how some of the 20 cent tax on gasoline charged for boating has been used to fund the experimental programs at TP&W. Sen. Nichols is working with Rep. Gohmert on trying to get money from the State and Federal Government.
RADIO PROGRAM: Every fourth Friday at 7:30 A.M., TBBSA is on the radio. Faye Broadway asks you a few questions and allows you to chat for about 23 minutes. Maurice invites anyone to join him this coming Friday at the Chamber of Commerce building. He feels it is a very good thing for us to participate.
DEERFEST: Maurice reported the Deerfest booth was a big success in his estimation, because we were able to get our message across to people. Literature from Texas Parks & Wildlife was handed out, also copies of the new Operating Guide Rule Curve. Judge Charles Watson, Phil Yocom and Joe Kelley, as well as other TBBSA members were on hand to talk with folks. Maurice wrote a letter to the Chamber of Commerce telling them he felt they did an excellent job of sponsoring the Deerfest.
BASS TOURNAMENT: The Texas Forest Country Bass Tournament was held on Toledo Bend on October 6th at Lowes' Creek Marina. Those attending said it was very professionally run, and had 93 boats participate. Only good comments have been heard. Janna said she has written a letter from TBBSA to the Chamber of Commerce saying we are glad we helped to sponsor the tournament.
Another bass tournament, 'The 2 of Us Couples' was held on Toledo Bend Lake this past weekend. Judge Watson said it went very well, too, with 98 couples participating, with three states being represented (Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana).
BUOYS: Joe Kelley said he talked with the captain of the SRA-TX buoy boat. The boat is having a new engine and electronics installed, and soon as the boat is returned, they will be working on the buoys. They have been mandated from Austin to work on the buoys.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Joe Kelley announced that on November 10th at 3:00 P.M. the American Legion will be dedicating the Veterans' Memorial, and is inviting everyone to come. Also, on November 3rd at 5:00 P.M. on the east side of the Hemphill Square, there will be a dance sponsored by a couple of business men who are interested in getting downtown active again. There will be a band, no admission charge. Also, food and sodas will be available, but need to bring lawn chairs.
LETTER TO TPWD: Glen Provost presented a draft of a letter written on behalf of TBBSA to Mr. Howard Elder of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department expressing our wholehearted support for the efforts of the Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to prevent and control the spread of Giant Salvinia. Membership approved a motion to accept the letter to be signed by Maurice Patterson on behalf of TBBSA, and copied to our legislators.
New Business: SEMINAR ON GIANT SALVINIA: Maurice led a discussion on having a seminar on Giant Salvinia, what it is, where it is, the problems and techniques of killing it. He said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has a fantastic Power Point presentation on Salvinia.
Jack Canson could also give his presentation on dealing with Salvinia on Lake Caddo. TX-SRA will be asked about co-sponsoring this seminar and our local and district legislators will be invited to attend. Maurice has suggested having this seminar around the first or second week of December. Jim Binns has volunteered to chair this project. A location for the seminar must be found.
MILAM SETTLERS DAY: After attending some of the organizational meetings, Janna believes we will only need volunteers to man the TBBSA Booth from 2:00 to 4:30 P.M. on Friday, November 16th. On Saturday, November 17th, Janna will need someone from 11:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., and then from 2:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. We will be passing out literature and answering questions. There will be applications available. Joe Kelley mentioned we need to have a lot of copies of the new Operating Guide Rule Curve.
CLOSING COMMENTS: Judge Charles Watson reminded members that we still need to stay focused on Toledo Bend Lake. Other comments concerned tourism and the need for statistics, also the need to have some 'top-notch' parks to attract tourists. Also, we will be following up on the other concerns such as Buoys and Cell Towers. Maurice said the County Commissioners' Court appointed a committee to promote tourism. They have met three times, set some standards and rules, and the meetings are opened to the public. The committee meets the first Thursday of each month at 5:00 P.M. at Jay Chance's. Maurice said one of the biggest boat shows that puts people in our area is held in St. Louis. There was a comment about the Houston Fish & Tackle show in Houston that used to be all about fresh water fishing but is now about salt water fishing and hunting in Colorado. It was noted the Deerfest had nothing about fishing, but that would be a good place to promote Toledo Bend Lake and fishing. Judge Watson said the Willow Oaks Park is now open year round.
Meeting Adjourned.
Next Meeting Date: November 26, 2007 @ 6:30 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted, Betty Griffin, Secretary
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