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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes May 28, 2007
Maurice Patterson, Texas Co-Chairman, called the meeting to order and gave the opening prayer.
Members were invited to join Maurice in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Presentation of Monthly Award: Maurice presented this month's award to Joe Kelley for his outstanding contributions to our organization, especially in making contact with some of our legislators, and helping TBBSA attain our goal. Joe said it has been fun. He is glad he has a job he enjoys doing, and one where he gets to visit with a lot of folks.
Minutes of the April 23, 2007 monthly meeting of TBBSA were approved as written.
The Treasurer's report was given by Janna Lehman. There are 19 organizations paid, with 4 member organizations still due. There are 372 associate members paid, with 8 still due. We have 98 additional financial supporters to our legal fund that are potential members. The current balance in the regular account is $7,421.19 and $3,759.50 in the Legal Account. We received $40 back from the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce for the ad that was to go in their booklet which will now not be published. The Treasurer's Report was approved as presented.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Maurice asked Larry Kelly to talk about the signing of the contract at Toledo Bend Reservoir Dam. Larry was designated to sign the contract for the LA-SRA, and it happened on his birthday. He said he has had a few birthdays since we started on this goal, and in 1999 on his birthday he went before the House of Commerce Committee in Louisiana and our group was tabled. That was a bad birthday, but this birthday was a good birthday when LA-SRA allowed him to be the one to sign the amended power agreement to stop generation at 168. Larry went on to say no one person is responsible for this accomplishment. It took everybody involved for all these years to accomplish this goal, and everyone got something. The SRAs, the power companies, and TBBSA got something when this coalesced and we worked together to accomplish this deal. He said the legislators here did a tremendous job in coming up with some way to pay for the power lost. Larry went on to compliment everyone in doing a great job. He also shared some of the pictures he took at the signing, and passed out a few copies of the Agreement that was signed and the new Operating Guide. Janna will try to get the new Operating Guide on the website. Larry said Glen Provost had mentioned getting some of the papers and reports gathered over the years and putting them on display at the Antique Connection. Larry has several very thick books to contribute. Someone asked if Roy Blake was one of the legislators that helped us, and Larry said he helped us get membership in PEP, and helped as an individual. Mary Hill reminded everyone to send e-mails thanking our legislators and the SRA Boards. Larry closed by thanking everyone for all the help in getting our goal. When asked what he would be doing now, Larry said he is going to be helping to build an animal shelter in Sabine Parish, and selling raffle tickets for the Humane Society.
Glen Provost said he and Larry had talked about getting all the records and letters together to place at the Antique Connection. Glen suggested we find someone to 'Scrapbook' all those letters, papers, news articles, etc. and show how effective a Grassroots Effort can be in attaining a goal. Glen suggested maybe someone involved in scrap booking or maybe a political science student might be interested in doing this project. James Clemons suggested this is part of Sabine Area History, so maybe it could be approached from that angle.
Our Party: Maurice said our Hero Party is set for June 23, 2007 at the VFW Hall on Hwy 184, with hand-shaking starting at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., and back-slapping at 7:30 p.m. Maurice said we will be having some fried chicken for those who don't care for B-B-Q. He named all the various groups that will be invited as well as all the members of the TBBSA. Invitations have been made. Janna has made arrangements for the food, but Maurice asked about what members would like to have served to drink in addition to tea and coffee. After much discussion and there being no objections, it was decided other choices would be made available. There will be a 'bowl' available for donations toward expenses for the party. Janna needs help in setting up and decorating, and also with sending out invitations. She will need a crew to be at the door and a crew to be with the food. If anyone can help, please call her or come by Antique Connections to volunteer. Janna again listed the various groups that will be invited, as well as all the members of TBBSA, and is estimating approximately 250 people that might attend. Janna also said her husband, Jerry Lehman, will be the emcee.
Plans for the Future: Maurice said he and several others were discussing plans for the future earlier in the day, and turned the floor over to Jerry Lehman who happened to have been taking notes. Jerry began by talking about why this organization was started, and that was to work to make this lake a better place for everyone. Some items he has listed may pertain to Texas, and some may pertain to Louisiana, but in the big picture, it is for all of us. One thing he listed is to get a member on the Texas SRA board from Sabine County so we can have representation in our area. Another item that would help to conserve water would be to push for a salt water barrier dam below the spillway. Parks and Recreation is another area where Texas is way behind Louisiana. Jerry feels cell phone towers around the lake are a definite need that could be worked on by both sides of the lake. Another problem he mentioned is the Giant Salvinia in the lake. He encouraged everyone to think about and suggest other areas to address. Glen Provost talked about what happens now that we have won this challenge, and how we need another goal that will be meaningful enough to bring people to a meeting once a month. Glen suggested we have a SRA Liaison group that would attend the board meetings and learn what is going on there, and perhaps learn how we can support them.
Closing Comments: In closing, Maurice gave special thanks to all those who have worked for years to attain our goal of saving Toledo Bend Reservoir for recreation as well as power generation.
Next Meeting Date: June 25, 2007 @ 6:30 P.M.
Meeting Adjourned
(Thanks to Janna Lehman and Mary Hill for notes and recording)
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
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