HERITAGE PRESERVATION, INC.

Minutes of Meeting, 8-25-03

 

Those present:  Betty Champion, Lindsey Stricklin, Susan Hargett, Billy Warren, Jerry Dowd, Judy Tiffin, Mary Peck, Charlotte Dean, Lee Freeman, Bill McDonald, Margaret Taylor, Jim Ingrum

 

  1. Bill McDonald made the motion that the minutes of the 7-28-03 meeting be approved.  Lindsey Stricklin seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. Lindsey Stricklin made this treasurer's report:
    1. Checking account balance         $1,598.59
    2. Savings account balance             5,104.31 + 11.40
    3. Forks of Cypress balance           3,223.38

 

Margaret Taylor made the motion that the report be approved.  Mary Peck seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

 

  1. Billy Warren reported that Tom White has tendered his resignation from the Board of Directors because he is now affiliated with a company in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Betty Champion made the motion that the Board regretfully accept Tom's resignation.  Margaret Taylor seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

     
  2. As the director of the video on the history of Florence , Jerry Dowd made this progress report:
    1. Twelve interviews have been completed, with four or five more to be done between September 6 and September 9.
    2. Shane Wilson, the videographer, has begun to edit the film.
    3. In November, the final editing will be done.
    4. It is hoped that the project will be finished by December and that it will be available on both VHS and DVD.
    5. The script's primary author is Milly Wright.
    6. The goal is to place a copy of the video in every public library and every school library in Florence and Lauderdale County.  It will also be available for purchase by individuals.

       
  3. Lee Freeman reported that the portraits from the Sweetwater Plantation owned by the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library will be mounted on the walls in the conference room there.

     
  4. Billy Warren applauded Vince Brewton for Vince's work on HPI's web site.  He encouraged everyone to visit the site at www.historicalflorence.org and to send information for the site to Vince electronically.  He also encouraged Board members to be on the lookout for possible links to our site.  Lindsey Stricklin reported that he has asked officials at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library for permission to link their site to ours.   He also reported that Vince Brewton is checking on the possibility of linking Collier Library with our site.

     
  5. Billy Warren reminded Board members of the program tonight entitled "Smart Growth/Green Spaces."  Billy and Hester Cope will serve on a panel along with Jimmy Neese and David Blazer.  The program, sponsored by the Shoals Environmental Alliance, is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Florence Event Center.

     
  6. Lindsey Stricklin, reporting for the Walking Tour Brochure Committee, suggested that we create a multi-page booklet with a master map that has a different color for each historic district.  The sections in the brochure would be color-coded to match the maps.  Everyone really liked the ideas.  Further reports from the committee will be forthcoming.

     
  7. In Hester Cope's absence, Billy Warren reported that:
    1. The Karat Patch building on Court Street has been purchased by Michael Cole, a longtime designer on the staff of Walt Disney in Orlando.  He is establishing an art gallery and studio and will offer art workshops and classes there.
    2. The building on Court Street next door to Ashton's has been purchased and is in the process of being renovated.

       
  8. Billy Warren reported that a civic club is considering the possibility of donating a streetside clock to downtown Florence.  A person from the club has asked for suggestions for its location.  The Board suggested these two locations:
    1. Corner of Tennessee and Court Streets (near Mefford's and Milner-Hackworth Gallery)
    2. Corner of Mobile and Court Streets (near the Rogers building or near the Southall building)

       
  9. Billy Warren suggested that the Board adopt a policy/position paper regarding its actions when a historic property is being considered for demolition.  Bill McDonald suggested that HPI become involved whenever any National Register property is threatened.  Mary Peck suggested that HPI petition the City Council to adopt an ordinance requiring a public hearing any time a historic property is threatened.  This topic will be discussed further at the Board's September meeting.

     
  10. Bill McDonald presented a copy of an article from the 8-14-03 issue of East Lauderdale News.  It is a record of the people involved in the video on the history of Florence and Lauderdale County and is very well written.

     
  11. Billy Warren distributed copies of a spreadsheeet on the local craftspeople list.  The group reviewed it and added more names to it.  The list will be discussed further at the September meeting of the Board.