HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 10-22-07

 

Those present:  Lee Freeman, Jerry Dowd, Bob Torbert, Brian Montgomery, Amy Montgomery, Betty Champion, Hester Cope, Ivan McClure, Charlotte Dean, Judy Tiffin, Mary Peck, Cathy Wood, Brett Wood, Jim Ingrum, Carolyn Waterman, Billy Warren

 

  1. Hester Cope noted that item #12a.4 in the minutes of the 9-24-07 meeting should say that the building next door to Smokehouse Billiards on East Tennessee Street is a Tax Act project.  With that correction, Betty Champion made the motion that the minutes be approved.  Lee Freeman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Billy Warren presented this treasurer’s report:
    1. Checking Account Balance                               $3,961.63
    2. FDR Fund                                                        5,000.00
    3. Forks of Cypress Account                                3,234.78
    4. Riverview Historic District                                        0.00
    5. Bailey Springs Project                            2,579.14

       

Bob Torbert made the motion that the report be approved.  Carolyn Waterman seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Bob Torbert reported that the Wilson Cemetery next to the Blackberry Trail Golf Course is in bad condition.  There are gravestones and above-ground vaults to be repaired or repositioned at a cost of approximately $1,000.  HPI has committed some funds to cemetery restoration; Billy Warren will research minutes of previous meetings to determine the amount.

     
  2. Billy Warren distributed copies of a letter which he wrote on October 8, 2007, to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in an attempt to gain information on the status of the proposed Historic Homeownership Assistance Act.  As yet, he has not had a response to the letter.

     
  3. Billy Warren made this report on the status of the DVD, “Follow the River”:
    1. There has not yet been a response from Lee Sentell to the letter requesting his help to get it aired on APT.
    2. It is now for sale in the gift shop at the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism office (it was already available at Kennedy-Douglass Art Center, Pope’s Tavern and the Main Street office).

       
  4. Lee Freeman reported a very successful Senior Citizens Day sponsored by NACOLG last week.  It was the second Octoberfest for Seniors.  Approximately 35 of the Seniors chose to come to the public library to view the DVD, “Follow the River.”

     
  5. Billy Warren reported that a one-year subscription to the National Trust magazine has been presented by HPI to Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.

     
  6. Billy Warren distributed copies of a packet of research information on the history of Camp Westmoreland done by Larry Faulkner.  Larry’s goal is to get the camp designated as historic and to get two areas of it named in honor of the late Barney Norris and the late Henry Grady Richards.  He is raising funds to purchase historic markers through the sale of custom-designed commemorative patches.  A dedication ceremony will take place in November.

     
  7. Mary Peck shared names, cell phone numbers and email addresses of people who deal in the resale of wood, bricks and other materials salvaged from razed houses and buildings.

     
  8. Lee Freeman shared this information regarding upcoming presentations at the public library:
    1. Sunday, November 4:  Erwin Coleman, speaking on the history of the Jewish community in the Shoals and of Temple B’Nai Israel; and
    2. Sunday, December 2:  Curtis Flowers, speaking (accompanied by a Power Point presentation) on James Jackson and his thoroughbred racehorses at the Forks of Cypress plantation.

       
  9. Hester Cope:
    1. Displayed copies of the 2008 Historic Homes in Downtown Florence calendar published by the Design Committee of Main Street;
    2. Announced that she is retiring in January, 2008, as the Executive Director of Florence Main Street;
    3. Noted that the new Hampton Inn in downtown Florence is slated to open on November 15;
    4. Stated that the Erdman family has moved from California to Florence and is already at work on its downtown building, the former Stephano’s Restaurant on North Court Street; and
    5. Announced that Sarah Knight has opened a dress shop, Addictions, in the 400 block of East Tennessee Street.

       
  10. Billy Warren distributed copies of an invitation to all HPI Board members to attend the rededication of Courtview/Rogers Hall on Friday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m. and noted that an RSVP is required.

     
  11. Billy Warren distributed copies of an article in the 9-11-07 issue of the Times- Daily regarding the gift of the Buffler home to the town of St. Florian.  Billy explained that the house is especially significant because it was designed by Lloyd Maffett, the same person who designed the J. W. Powell house on Kendrick Street; the Medical Arts building on North Court Street; and the Maffett family home on old Cloverdale Road.  The staff at the Alabama Historical Commission is very interested in Mr. Maffett because of his contributions to the architectural history of Florence.

     
  12. It was agreed that, because of the holidays, the December meeting of the HPI Board will be Monday, December 17.

     
  13. Billy Warren reminded everyone that, at our November and December meetings, we will plan the annual meeting for the community to attend no the third Sunday in January.  We will also make decisions regarding the presentation of the Capital Award.