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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes April 23, 2007
Maurice Patterson, Texas Co-Chairman, called the meeting to order.
Gene Nethery gave the opening prayer.
Glen Provost presented the U.S. American Flag and joined Maurice in leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes of the March 26, 2007 monthly meeting of TBBSA were approved as written.
Maurice gave the Treasurer's report as prepared by Janna Lehman. There are 15 organizations paid, with 4 member organizations still due. There are 359 associate members paid, with 8 still due. The current balance in the regular account is $7,328.19 and $3,740.92 in the Legal Account. In reply to a question regarding the identity of the 4 organizations still due, Maurice named El Camino Bay Property Owners Assoc., LA Marine & Motorcycle Trades Assoc., San Augustine Chamber of Commerce, and Toledo Bend Lake Marina Association. The Treasurer's Report was approved as presented.
Presentation of Monthly Award: Maurice said there is an Award of the Month this month, but the individual that is to receive it is not present tonight, so the presentation will be postponed.
New Business:
Maurice had a bit of new business to share with members. On May 15th at 7 P.M. at Huxley Bay, TBBSA has been invited to talk at their meeting, and Maurice has accepted. He and Glen Provost will be attending and he urged any others who could attend to please be there. Huxley Bay has been very supportive in the Save Toledo Bend Campaign by distributing a great number of bumper stickers. Maurice said we have good representation north of Hemphill, and he would like to see a number of people attend their meeting. A carpool can be arranged if desired.
Reports About Meetings:
This morning, Maurice called Donnie Henson, SRA-TX General Manager of Operations, and was told all the contracts have been drafted and sent to the lawyers of the power companies. Donnie said as far as he is concerned, it is a 'done deal'. The 168 msl lake level and a cost of $38 per MWH have been agreed upon, and as soon as the amendments to the power sales agreement are approved by the lawyers and the PSC of Louisiana, it can be sent to the PUC of Texas for approval. Larry Kelly said the date for the board meeting of the PSC of LA is set for May 1st. This is an open meeting that will be held in Baton Rouge, LA. If the amendment to the sales agreement is approved by PSC of LA, it will be sent to the PUC of TX and also to FERC for approval.
Glen Provost said he and others had calls Friday night from Senator Robert Nichols. Glen said he was quite impressed that a legislator as busy as Sen. Nichols would make calls on a Friday night to talk and inquire about how things were going. Sen. Nichols also sent an E-mail today that he requested Glen read to the members of TBBSA tonight. In the E-mail, Sen. Nichols said over the last two years, each time he visited Sabine County and spoke with people, the number one issue they wanted to talk about was how to prevent water discharge for power sales when the lake was below 168. He went on to say the citizens of this county and the Bi-State Alliance are to be commended for the work they have done and the information they have gathered. He said it has been a team effort, and as part of that team, both Entergy and the Sabine River Authority have worked together to find a solution. He believes it will happen, and the structure, as well as the committees, has been made to see it through. He said it has been an honor to work with us to achieve this very important solution, and to rest assured they will keep an eye on this ball until it is over the goal line. Glen said Sen. Nichols clearly wants to give credit to the work of the citizens and in particular Maurice Patterson and Larry Kelly for all the figures and information provided.
Tom Trussell said the legislators in Shelby County also want this solution to happen.
Glen noted the crowds at our meetings are dwindling. It was mentioned that part of our membership may be at the Hospital Board meeting since it has been moved to the 4th Monday night of the month.
Nominations For SRA-TX Board:
Maurice said he will be sending Sen. Nichols the names submitted as nominations for the SRA Board. The nominations are: Gene Nethery, Susan Cowgill, Bill McCarty, Robert Buttross, and Robert 'Skip' Austin.
Closing Comments: Glen Provost said if folks ever had a doubt about his advice in the beginning about contacting our legislators, this progress should prove it makes a difference. Our letters, emails and phone calls have been very effective.
Gene Nethery suggested making plans for a B-B-Q Dinner sometime in the summer, and inviting Senator Nichols, Representative Wayne Christian, Senator Joe Salter of Louisiana, and other legislators who have helped us, as a way of thanking them.
Next Meeting Date: May 28, 2007
Meeting Adjourned at 6:55 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
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