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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes February 24, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Larry Kelly.
Joe Griffin lead the group in the opening prayer.
Starting with Linda Mauer, Larry Kelly asked members and visitors in attendance to introduce themselves and state where they are from.
Minutes of the January 27, 2003 meeting were approved and accepted as read.
Janna Lehman gave the Treasurer’s Report. Current balance is $2629.78. There are now 20 organization members and 19 associate members. Larry asked if anyone present knows and will contact someone in those organizations that have not rejoined. Motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the report as read.
Old Business:
DETDA Report: No report. Representative Charles English was not present.
East Texas Regional Water Planning Committee Report: No report. Representative Bill Heugel was not present.
New Business:
Lake Level: Larry Kelly
FERC- J.B. Meyers was unable to attend tonight’s meeting, but sent word that he had received a reply to his E-mail message to Rep. Wayne Christian. Rep. Christian indicated that he has found no scientific or legal evidence to support the case of changing management or policy of the Dam Operation at this time. Larry said as soon as he received the forwarded message from J. B. Meyers, he will send it out to all the members. Larry feels we need to have a “face-to-face” meeting with Rep. Christian to explain our issue, and we especially need Texas members to be in attendance at that meeting. Also, Larry pointed out that we need to make sure every organization can be contacted by Internet (E-mail) through one of its members. It is difficult to mail out communications. Larry urged members to contact all their legislators. No word has been received from Sen. Staples, either, in regard to the recent visit to him and Rep. Christian. Janna will post Rep. Christian’s E-mail message on the TBBSA Web Site as soon as she receives a copy. Larry asked Linda Mauer to write a letter on behalf of the TBBSA to the Texas legislators requesting a “face-to-face” meeting to discuss the economic effect and other reasons for Texas to pass legislation similar to that already introduced in Louisiana.
LEGISLATION: LA- Copies of the proposed bill regarding routine power generation stoppage at 168 msl has already been forwarded to Sen. Smith and Rep. Joe Salter. Three organizations have been working on this bill. The last day for pre-filing is prior to March 31st. Frank Davis will put a form letter on the website that can be down-loaded to use for writing to all 105 representatives and all 39 senators, with at least one or two letters reaching each, urging them to support this legislation.
SRA-TX:- Regarding the letter to the Texas SRA Board of Directors, Larry feels the Board will place it on the Agenda of the next SRA meeting before responding to it. When and where that meeting will be held is not known at this time. Again, Larry stressed how important it is to get behind our legislators in supporting this legislation. It was suggested maybe an ad in the representatives’ home town might be effective.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Motion was made, seconded and passed to join as a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Harry Johnson is the Chamber of Commerce representative to TBBSA, so Larry asked that the other TBBSA members who are also members of the Chamber of Commerce be TBBSA representatives to the Chamber.
CONTRIBUTION TO LIBRARY: Janna Lehman moved that the TBBSA contribute $100 to the Library in appreciation for the use as a meeting place. Motion was seconded and passed.
REPLY TO FERC: Larry will be sending a reply to FERC and his response will be shared with the membership. He will be using the available data from the Collaborative Effort meetings and other facts and charts. A draft of that response will be sent for comments from members, but must be returned quickly.
OTHER COMMENTS: In answer to a question about the matter the Sabine Parish District Attorney was looking in to, Larry said he spoke to the District Attorney and he had no answer for him, but said he would check with the Mr. Burkett.
Larry reported the Sabine Police Jury sent five names to Sen. Cain for one to be appointed to the one vacancy on the SRA of LA.
Two of the five do not live on the lake. Larry’s name was among the five submitted.
Approval of New Members: Liz and Bill Hardin of L&D Auto were approved as new members.
Approve Payment of Outstanding Bills: All bills were approved for payment, including the check just approved for the Library.
Next Meeting Date: March 24, 2003
Meeting Adjourned.
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