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Posted by: Kate on 06/24/2008 04:31 PM
Updated by: Kate on 06/24/2008 04:55 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
Draft Minutes Oconee County Veterans Memorial Foundation Committee for Thursday, May 22, 2008
Photo: Plaza floor grids & tiling on Structure.
See the up-to-date Photo Album as construction progresses at this site.
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Chairman Larry Davison called the meeting to order at 8:10 pm in the BOC Chambers in the County Courthouse with the Pledge, led by Jim Alexander and a Prayer.
Members Present:
Larry Davison * Ed Kennedy * Jim Alexander * David Kilpatrick * Kate McDaniel * John Roberts * Don Walter * David Williams * Bill Gilmer * John Gentry * Miss Vinnie Williams
embers Absent:
Rep Bob Smith * Mike Ginn * Jeff Benko
Guests:
Mike Maxey, Construction Superintendent
Ken Beall, Architect & Land Planner
Mike Sprayberry, The Oconee Leader Weekly
Kyle Martin, Candidate for Oconee Bd of Education
Mr Pete Shelnutt, WWII Veteran
A quorum was determined to be present. Chairman Davison welcomed the members and Guests and then requested the roll call and reports from each Committee Chair.
Note: Since the last meeting, the following activity has taken place: The grading for the spot on which the monument structure will be located has been completed; the foundation for the monument structure has been dug, filled in with cement and blocks for the structure have been completed; tiles have been laid on about ½ of the structure; the grid for the pool platform is being marked and cement slabs will be poured around the pool soon. When all the tiles have been placed and the cement slabs have been poured, the underground pipes for power and the irrigation system will be put in place.
REPORTS FROM THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES
1. Memorial Committee
Chairman Don Walter said that 7 flag poles have been delivered and were placed on the site behind the Monument. They have since been taken out of the original packaging and placed inside plastic wrapping and now awaiting mounting about 2 ½ feet behind the monument.
He reported that much work has been done on the structure – tile placement – since the last meeting. Tiling is a work of art and is being performed by Richard Carey, Master Craftsman. Tiling will be complete by next Tuesday, May 27 if the weather cooperates. Then on the following Friday, May 30, grading will start in preparation to lay out the grid for the cement slabs for the area around the pool. A top-of-the-line filter system will be installed in the pool. Flag poles will be installed on June 1, 2008 or thereabout. Soon thereafter, the curbing will be put in place, the irrigation system will be installed, the sidewalks will be completed, and dirt will be hauled in to fill in the foundation for the driveway and small handicap parking area to be paved.
Mike Maxey suggested that the Committee appear before the BOC at their next meeting on June 3 and request $12K to $15K to help cover the materials needed to pave the driveway, the total cost being $24K. Chairman Davison agreed to attend the BOC meeting and make a formal request and Mike agreed to be there in case he is needed to explain the cost.
2. Finance Committee
David Kilpatrick, Treasurer, announced that the Clarke/Oconee Woodsman of the World gave $500.00 donation and Mike Creech, a member of Rev Larry Davison’s Church gave __________________? Bill Gilmer presented 2 checks of $500.00 each; one from the Amvets and one from ________________? The Dooley family gave a $4,000 donation. See the attached financial report. Kilpatrick will be writing checks to pay for the work being done on site so far and will have a full financial report at the next meeting.
3. Fundraising Committee
John Roberts, Chairman of Fundraising will try again to invite all local bank presidents to give a generous donation.
Donations are coming in as a result of the enthusiasm the public has shown after seeing something tangible going up at the site.
4. Publicity Committee
Bill Gilmer said that he is hearing good comments from the public – that “word of mouth” about the building of the monument. Bill has been writing good articles for the OE. Miss Vinnie will write the OE Forum addressing the name change. It would be good if a picture of the progress at the site could be published each week. Kate wrote a letter to Kim Argo, Chairman of the Oconee Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee requesting that their committee consider a name change for the park, now named the Oconee Community Complex.
5. Program Committee
John Gentry gave the report from Kim Argo, Chairman of the Oconee Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee in which the advisory committee agreed to ask the BOC to place the request on their Agenda at their June 3 meeting. Several names were suggested, but the Veterans Memorial Committee wishes it to be changed to the Oconee Veterans Park.
Chairman Davison appointed John and 3 other members (Ed Kennedy, Kate McDaniel and Don Walter) to a Program Committee to work out the details for the program at the dedication ceremony which was agreed upon to be on July 4 at 10 am. He will work with his committee to work out all details for a ceremony and a reception/meal to be served to guests, workers and donors immediately afterwards. John had spoken with Rusty Haygood about the County’s Heritage Celebration on July 4 at the Eagle Tavern. This event will not have an opening ceremony although it will begin at 10 am and run until 3 pm. John said that their opening will be scaled back.
Ed Kennedy agreed to contact his son Scott who is a Caterer to help with the food. Ed also stated that he wanted the committee to be sure to recognize all the workers that are building the Veterans Memorial at the dedication ceremony.
6. Old Business
Chairman Davison had asked John Roberts to chair a Search Committee to make a list of all Oconee County Veterans beginning with WWII. He named Miss Vinnie and Kate McDaniel to assist with the search. Miss Vinnie reported that her employee, Reporter Blake Giles is gathering names for the list and that they will take care of the search. Bill Gilmer stated that there are 2,947 veterans from Oconee. John Roberts was concerned that we not omit anyone’s loved one or friend. Miss Vinnie agreed to put an ad in the paper requesting the public come forward with the name of anyone that they know should be included.
7. New Business
A discussion concerning a guest speaker for the dedication ceremony ensued.
Mike – US Rep Paul Broun wishes to speak.
Bill G – Pete Wheeler, Head of GA Veterans would be good.
Chairman Davison – no politicians, please.
John G - I can contact someone in the National Guard.
John G will suggest names for his committee to consider.
Mike M stated that Don Phillips gave a $5000 donation and requested to be allowed to fire off an old Civil War cannon.
Bill G announced the event for Memorial Day on Saturday, May 30 – a ceremony at the Evergreen Cemetery in Athens at 7 am to memorialize all military personnel who died in the past year serving our county. The public is invited. Georgia’s Labor Secretary, Mike Thurmond will be the guest speaker.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:56pm.
Respectively submitted,
Kate McDaniel
Secretary, OCVMFC
April 24, 2008
____________________________________________________________
The address for mailing donations:
Oconee Veterans Memorial Foundation
PO Box 1836
Watkinsville, GA
30677
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