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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes February 23, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Larry Kelly. J.B. Meyers lead the group in the opening prayer.
Larry Kelly asked members and visitors in attendance to introduce themselves and state where they are from. Harry Johnson introduced a visitor, Ken Rams, from Old Sabine Town and Cypress Bend Golf Resort.
Motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the January 26, 2004 Minutes. November Minutes were not available for approval.
Janna Lehman gave the Treasurer’s Report. Current balance is $1625.63. There are 5 organization members and 10 associate members paid for this year, 2004. One organization member and one associate member dues have been received tonight. Janna will be mailing all the other notices tonight. She will not be mailing one to Shelby County Bass Club because of a lack of valid address. There are also 10 associate members to whom she is not mailing notices, for various reasons. Motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the report as given.
Old Business:
DETDA Report: No report. Representative Charles English has resigned. There were no volunteers to replace him. Membership dues of $30 will be due in April. Larry says if no one accepts that position by next month, we should not pay the dues for this year. He feels it is a good organization and we should have representation at their meetings.
East Texas Regional Water Planning Committee Report: No report. Representative Bill Heugel was not present.
Lake Level Effort: Larry Kelly.
Larry said an E-mail message was received from one of the power company representatives stating the power companies would be getting together soon, and then the Lake Level Advisory Committee, appointed by the Governor, would be meeting to resolve any problems with the new law. Hopefully, this will be done by May 1st, when the new law is to go into effect. A report was due to the Governor by March 1st, but there has been only one meeting so far. After the Sub-Committee meets, then the full Lake Level Committee will meet at a Public Meeting. Anyone can attend the next Committee meeting that is to be held in Alexandria.
Reply to FERC: Larry visited the FERC site on the Internet. FERC rejected his request for a re-hearing before the full Commission. They stated his reply was received too late to be acted on, and listed all the previous reasons for not granting our request in the first place. Apparently all our efforts with FERC have not been effective.
New Business:
Co-Chairman for Texas: Larry asked if anyone would agree to be Co-Chairman for Texas. A Texas Co-Chairman is desperately needed to work with Lake Level efforts on the Texas side of the Lake. Larry says he will stay with the effort until the Louisiana resolution is final, but after that he will drop back. He urged the membership to actively search for another Co-Chairman.
Janna asked if there was an interest in acquiring more hats, and a few persons were interested. She will order 5 more hats.
Larry is unable to attend the Louisiana Wildlife Federation on February 27-28. Since Larry’s expenses have already been approved, Stan Verret suggested paying the fees for someone in our association that may be going anyway, and that could represent us as well. Larry will check with John and Sharon Miller.
Larry gave information regarding the Raffle and Auction being held at Cypress Bend on May 14th. The Bass Unlimited (part of The Lake Association) is the organization holding the event. Tables for 8 will be available for $280, half a table for $140. A steak dinner will be served. Tickets for a fully equipped Bass Pro Boat are $40 each. Funds received go toward improvement of Toledo Bend Lake.
Other Comments:
Larry suggested members telephone others prior to the next meeting to encourage and remind them of the meeting.
The Toledo Bend Dam is letting water out, but not generating because the main transformer is down. The parts should be in by tomorrow and made ready for installation. The next clear day, they can be put back in and generation started.
Stan Verret said the American Legion will be holding a Crawfish Boil on March 20th at the four-way stop sign in town. Crawfish will be available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for about $2.50 / lb.
Approval of New Members: None
Approve Payment of Outstanding Bills:
Next Meeting Date: March 22, 2004
Meeting Adjourned.
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