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Posted by: Kate on 11/12/2008 10:03 PM
Updated by: Kate on 11/12/2008 10:06 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
Draft Minutes Oconee County Veterans Memorial Foundation Committee for Thursday October 23, 2008
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Note: This meeting was held in the Adm office of the Oconee Sheriff’s office at the new jail. David K got word just before the meeting that Chairman Larry Davison was being treated for a clot found in his right leg. He could not attend the meeting.
Bill Gilmer opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge at 7:15 pm. The sign-up sheet was passed around to record members present.
Members Present :
1. Jeff Benko
2. Ed Kennedy
3. Bill Gilmer
4. Jim Alexander
5. David Williams
6. Kate McDaniel
7. Vinnie Williams
8. John Gentry
9. David Kilpatrick
Members Absent:
10. Larry Davison
11. Don Walter
12. John Roberts
13. Ed McConnell
14. Pete Shelnutt
15. Bob Smith
16. Beth Gilmer
Note: the August meeting was cancelled and the September minutes were not available to review and approve. Motion was made and approved to postpone the approval of these minutes until they are available at the scheduled meeting in January 2009.
REPORTS FROM THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES
1. Memorial Committee
Don Walter was absent. No report. However, members that monitor the finished memorial have noted that the fountain at the Memorial needed work which was fixed and that the caulking that holds the black granite blocks together was leaching out salts from the caulking that runs down the granite to make an unsightly appearance. David W expressed a desire to let some time pass to observe how much more will leak before trying to redo the caulking. They will eventually need to be cleaned up and resealed. It appears to be moisture inside seeping out. Also Walter was to find out about the cost of bricks for names.
2. Finance Committee
Chairman Kilpatrick reported that the amount in the Oconee Bank was down to $19,498 plus after everything has been paid. Deposited $625 ($250 from an individual + checks from Jim Ivy for repayment of $125 and $250). He said a person who was the widow of a Col. Axt came with her daughter to see the Memorial and then decided to give a substantial gift to the fund. Vinnie said that her daughter had given $100 that she would send later.
It was reported that 2 of the flags are showing some wear ‘n tear around the edges. The rest are holding up well. The frayed edges are not noticeable. There will be an expense for replacement of Flags - $5.30 for a set of 7 flags. They make a higher grade flags but they don’t come in the size that we need. 3 to 4 months is usually the life of the flags.
Motion was made by Jeff Benko and seconded by Kate McDaniel for Kilpatrick to order a set of flags as soon as possible. Motion passed.
Two signatures are needed to sign checks; three people have been authorized to sign them: Larry D, David K and John G. David will order the flags using his credit card and be reimbursed from the Vet Memorial account. A check card (PayPal card or debit card) was suggested and discussed by John G. No decision was made. Some suggested making the transfer on line to have a record of the activity. It was decided to let David K handle it for the purchase of the flags.
Members discussed taking a sum from the checking account and buying a short term CD at one of the banks. Oconee bank gives 4.1% and North GA gives 3.2%.
It was suggested to put $10,000 in a short term CD at the Oconee State Bank to earn 4.1% . David K will handle making the transfer.
3. Fundraising Committee
John Roberts, Chairman of Fundraising was absent. He is being treated for high blood pressure and is resting at home. Jeff Benko said that Ms Donna Couch at SouthWire wants to make a corporate contribution to the Memorial Fund most likely before the end of the year. She didn’t say how much but probably will be substantial. He will give her all the info needed to write a check.
Bill G asked if Ken Beall had the list of names of heroes that were killed in action that should be etched on the back of the memorial. John G reminded that Beall was to come up with the method to apply the names. Miss Vinnie had asked Blake Giles several months ago to research the names so that a list would be complete. David W recommended that the leakage problem should be fixed before names are etched. No action taken.
Jeff Benko mentioned that he still had the painting (military art) given by Mr Baker in his office and that he thought we should do something with it or return it to the owner. No action was taken. He said Mr Baker wanted $500 for the painting. Need to call him. Possibility that it could be auctioned at the 48th Brigarde Ball at Calhoun, GA.
4. Publicity Committee
No report from Bill G. David K reported that Southern Distinction Magazine wanted to do a 1000-word article on the Veteran Memorial within the week for the December issue. He is in contact with the publisher, Cynthia Hyde. They will need 3 or 4 pictures. David has sent them about a dozen photographs. They want the proofs for the article at the end of this week. That’s a value of about $3,500 of advertisement. They have the space set aside in the issue. He and Larry are in touch with the publisher. The magazine is popular along the I-20 corridor. From Atlanta to Savannah.
Bill Gilmer said that a lady who rides around with 2 US flags on her car (lives on Whipperwill Road), who is a veteran of the Coast Guard stopped at his house and gave him a CD of a lot of pictures of the July 4th Memorial Celebration.
Miss Vinnie Williams, asked what are the chances that we could be meeting here from now on? David said there was no problem. Kate said we only have one more meeting before 2009, so why not meet here for the Nov meeting and then begin in January 2009 to meet at the Senior Center at the Veterans Memorial Park since it will be completed and the Center will be completely moved in by then.
It was decided to meet on Thursday, Nov 20, one week earlier than usual at the Sheriff’s Office at 7 pm.
5. Program Committee
John G sent out an e-mail earlier in the month explaining his suggestion for a Veterans Day program at the site of the memorial – not to interfere with the annual Winterville event. He suggested that we establish an annual event at 11 on the 11. the ceremony
would be short – about 15 to 20 minutes. Offer for Ed’s (K) granddaughter who wrote a poem called “My America” that would be read. Recognition plaques would be presented to Ken B and Mike M for their outstanding work on the design and building of the memorial. Shadow box plaques with the medallions, picture of the memorial and a flag attached on top.
The box will be about 18 inches wide and 20 inches tall. Will not need to prepare much for the ceremony - just a few chairs for those who need to sit. Bag pipes will be play the nation anthem. Laying of the wreath by anybody, but must be placed after the ceremony.
Vinnie will write an article about the ceremony to be publish in the OE, Nov 6 issue before the following Tuesday (November 11).
6. Old Business
None
7. New Business
None
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:15pm
Respectively Submitted
Kate McDaniel
Secretary
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