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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes July 23, 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 June 25, 2007 monthly meeting of TBBSA were approved as presented.
SPECIAL AWARD: Maurice presented to Betty Griffin, Secretary, a special 'Heaven Sent Secretary Award'. The special certificate showed unique caricature drawings of the 'core group' of officers and members of TBBSA that provided all the content for the many months of Minutes recorded by the secretary. Betty said thank you very much for the recognition.
Janna Lehman gave the Treasurer's Report. There are 19 organizations paid. There are 387 associate members paid, with more interested in joining. The total donations for the Party came to $996.00. The physical cost of the Party amounted to $2,661.50. After returning the unused supplies and obtaining refunds, the net cost of the Party amounted to $1665.50. The current account balance is $9,497.81. There is no longer a Legal Fund as all funds have been transferred to the regular account. The Treasurer's Report was approved as presented.
Janna noted she has one copy of the Sabine River Authority history ('Las Sabinas') available for loan. She said Bob Bowman of Lufkin is the author of the book. Janna also passed out Certificates of Appreciation to those who were not present at the Party.
Old Business:
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE: Maurice said he has done nothing since the party about contacting Ann Galassi at the SRA-TX, but would like to get 5 or 6 folks to go with him to the SRA to talk about how we might help or work together on some of the projects or concerns that have been suggested by our members. He passed out copies of a list of Upcoming Projects for the Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance. After some discussion about maybe posting copies at marinas or other places, it was suggested that we might want to narrow down the list first, but others felt the list should be put out as is.
New Business:
DEERFEST: Janna said we have been contacted about setting up a booth at Deerfest. It will be held on September 29, 2007 at the Sabine County Youth Foundation facilities on Hwy 184. The charge for a booth is $25 prior to September 21st. Maurice felt it was a good idea, and a place to distribute information about TBBSA. Motion was made, seconded and passed to participate and setup a booth. Maurice explained how the booths are set up, and volunteered to take care of seeing that our booth is setup and taken down. Janna moved the Association pay the $3 admission fees and parking for the volunteers. The motion was seconded and passed. Janna will send out the information and times for volunteers to sign-up to work.
Other Comments:
NOMINATIONS FOR SRA-TX BOARD MEMBER: Maurice answered a question about the list of nominations, saying five names were submitted, but still no word has been received. Bill McCarty, one whose name was submitted, said he has not yet filled out any forms.
LAST SRA-TX MEETING: Janna said she received the notice while on vacation and was unable to notify anyone in time to attend. She said we could still call Ann Galassi to see if there was anything of interest to us in their Minutes, if we wished.
UPCOMING PROJECTS : Joe Kelley recommended a Board meeting be held to prioritize the issues listed, and then bring them back to the members for approval before going to meet with the SRA members. Joe went on to say he had spoken with Rep. Alan Ritter recently, and he had nothing but compliments about our organization. Rep. Ritter told Joe whether we realize it or not, we have become a political force and we should use that recognition to help our legislators and to be an asset to the SRA. Additional discussion followed. The issue of channel markers and the safety problems associated with those was also discussed. Jerry Lehman said the Toledo Bend Lake Association is now working with plans for a number of things that will benefit both sides of the lake. Another issue suggested to add to our list was Area-wide Economic Development. Janna said we might be able to work with the Chamber of Commerce on that issue.
Closing Comments:
J.R. HUFFMAN LIBRARY: Maurice told the members how fortunate we have been to have the use of the Library for our meetings. In the past we have not paid the usual $25 charge for each meeting, and have only made an annual donation in December. Since our treasury is in good shape, Maurice asked the membership to consider a donation to help in the purchase of books for the library. He said the library usually purchases books in the neighborhood of $10,000 per year, and that comes from donations. Janna moved that in December we make a $1,000 donation to the library. Joe Kelley seconded the motion, and there being no more discussion, the motion passed. It was noted that J. R. Huffman Library is one of only two in the State of Texas that is not government funded. The City of Hemphill pays the utilities and cuts the grass. Other than that, the library depends on donations to operate.
JERRY LEHMAN: Jerry said he has heard nothing but compliments about the TBBSA organization, and wanted the new members to know most of those present tonight represent the 'core group' that started this organization. He feels that in the near future, this will probably be just our core group that comes to the meetings, but perhaps people will come in as word gets out through E-mail and news letters. He wants our members to keep a positive attitude, stay focused and ask new members to join. Jerry has been a board member since the beginning of the organization, and plans to continue to be around. A new member from the Dallas area asked why Dallas wanted water from Toledo Bend Reservoir. Maurice offered an explanation and more discussion followed. Maurice also explained that we have a representative on the Region I Water Planning Board that keeps us informed about issues being studied and how they might impact our area.
Maurice said a TBBSA Board Meeting is planned for some time next week.
Meeting Adjourned.
Next Meeting Date: August 27, 2007 @ 6:30 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
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