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Minutes
Crisfield Chamber Board of Directors
August 10, 2006
The monthly Board of Directors meeting was held on Thursday, August 10, 2006
at the Crisfield Heritage Foundation. The meeting was brought to order by
President Steve Marshall at 6:00 p.m. Board members present: Tom Shores, Steve
Marshall, Virginia Townsend, Chris Sterling, Sue Heath, Billie Jo Chandler, John
Phoebus, David Price, David Mason, Dean Goldsborough, Dennis Smith and Terry
Pehan.
Chamber members present: George Calamaras, Rocky Burnett, Gordon Christenson,
Teri Christenson, Dan Kuebler, Eddie Heath, Jennie McDorman, Dia Hunter, Gabe
Stuckey, Renee Croft, Russell Ward, Jerry Black, Raymond Anderson, Jay Tawes &
Kristy Hickman.
Minutes from previous meeting were read and approved. Motion made by John
Phoebus to accept, seconded by Terry Pehan. Tom Shores gave the treasurer’s
report. The $3,000 that the fishing tournament borrowed will be paid back, they
received more money in. Motion made to approve by Chris Sterling, seconded by
John Phoebus.
Valerie Mason gave an office summary. She said that there are two old trucks in
the marina that need to be moved. They are owned by the Chamber. Terry Pehan
offered to take on that task. The “Welcome to Crisfield” sign at the city dock,
as you enter the marina by boat, needs to be updated and painted, maybe even
replaced. Terry Pehan also offered to look into that. The Crisfield Times now
has a new editor. Richard Crumbaker will be employed there as of August 28th.
The paper has not had a full time editor in almost 9 years. Pastor Tad Maroon
called the chamber office and said that he has a committee that will be working
on some Christmas events around town. He asked if the chamber would be willing
to work on that project with him. We will be meeting with him at a later date.
The chamber was receiving up to 200 phone calls a day this summer, mostly
regarding clam bake and crab derby. Valerie asked that if you call the office
and don’t get an answer that she may be on another line, to please leave a
message. The brochure wall rack is up in the chamber office. It looks much nicer
and neater and takes up much less space. We thank Terry Pehan for helping with
that. Valerie will get a list together of chamber members not paid up to date.
She will also get Jay an amount we owe rent on our storage building. We have now
leased two storage units from Scott Tawes and will be moving out of the old
building. The new units are on the highway and are in much better shape. Valerie
was asked if the chamber would put an ad in the Crab Derby booklet. The cost
would be $179.00 and would be in color and would be linked to our web-site.
However, it was voted against because the advertising budget was already over
the limit.
It was discussed that our insurance policy should be renewed at the beginning of
each year, not in the middle of the year when our festivals are going on. John
Phoebus made a motion to get quotes from all insurance company’s that are
chamber members, starting at the end of 2006. Sue Heath seconded the motion. It
was also discussed to form an insurance committee with John Phoebus chairing it.
Also asked to sit on it are Dennis Smith and Virginia Townsend.
Guest speakers, Rocky Burnett & Priscilla Leonard are from the Local Management
Board. They made a presentation regarding Somerset County. We appreciate them
coming and thank them for their efforts.
Renee Croft, Somerset County Library System, introduced their newest employee,
Gabe Stuckey. We welcome Gabe to the chamber. Renee advertised for a board of
director’s member for the library and got many responses. So they will be going
over them to find the right person. Renee also stated that the library will be
undergoing an addition to the library, but won’t be started (and completed)
until 2008.
Virginia Townsend, Crab Derby chairperson, gave the Crab Derby report. She
stated that everything was going well with that. She also said that they will be
forming a committee for the Christmas parade.
David Mason was present and thanked Jay Tawes for being a major sponsor for the
fishing tournament. The tournament had approximately 117 boats. But David said
that the committee needs some new people on the committee, with fresh ideas.
David also stated that the 3rd Annual Car Show will be held in conjunction with
the Crab Derby. It will be from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2nd. They
need $1,500 for sponsorship and they found a sponsor donating $1,000. David
asked the chamber for the other $500.00. He said that all proceeds would go to
Kenny Lyons, soldier wounded in Iraq, who lives in Marion. Motion made by Dean
Goldsborough to donate the money, seconded by Tom Shores, no opposed. Motion
carried.
Jay Tawes, chairman of Finance Committee, gave a report. Terry Pehan asked that
Jay show all expenses on the report. Jay asked for all events chairman to get
him their budget for 2007. President Steve Marshall suggested we may want to
think about a “contingency fund”, maybe $2,000. Steve also asked chamber member
for their ideas for the 2007 budget.
Terry Pehan & Steve Marshall want to set up a special meeting for the board of
directors to go over the new by-laws. But we will hold off until after Labor Day
and then set a date.
Dan Kuebler had someone look at the showmobile for repairs. Steve Marshall also
called Meadow Hydraulics to look at it. They are willing to look at it at no
cost, but we need to find someone to take it to them in Fruitland. David Mason
also suggested to have ECI look at it and ask Paul Emely to drive it up. We need
to check to see if tags are on it and if insurance is with us or the city. Dean
Goldsborough also has been helping with getting work done on the showmobile. We
thank Dan and Dean for their efforts.
Raymond Anderson, City Councilman, stated that there will be a workshop for the
city on Tuesday regarding the 1936 sewer. There are two proposals on the table
right now to repair/update it. Information will be on the city’s web-site. (www.cityofcrisfield.com).
Jenny McDorman, beautification committee, requested a short meeting after this
chamber meeting for some ideas for projects. Jenny also suggested that we get
school kids involved.
Dennis Smith, Somers Cove Marina, said that the summer has been a little slower
than usual, probably due to the high cost of fuel. The marina is preparing for
Crab Derby and is also working with the clam bake committee on repairing the
parking lot that was damaged by tents at the clam bake. He also said that the
rendezvous is not coming this year after 4 straight years. They will be going to
Portsmouth this year.
Terry Pehan was going to discuss the Business Development Grant Program but due
to the late time, we will defer to next meeting.
Steve Marshall met with Danny Thompson, Somerset County EDC. They want the
chamber and EDC to work closer together. Steve read some stats on the ethanol
plant.
They are looking at building a plant in Somerset County for alternative fuel.
John Phoebus suggested that he talk with Danny Thompson and Skipper Cox,
president of Somerset County EDC, to work together and attend each other’s
meetings.
Terry Pehan suggested technical upgrades for the chamber office. Database in
computer needs to be combined to make things more convenient. The copy machine
needs to be looked at, whether to keep this one or maybe lease one. Dan Kuebler
has access to Cannon, but would need technical support.
McCready Foundation sent the chamber a letter asking for a donation of $75,000
over a 3-year period. It was decided to table this request until the finance
committee could look it over.
Russell Ward asked about the status of the ferry. John Phoebus stated that the
third phase has been completed. John has info available by email.
Food Lion should start destruction of buildings at Ward’s Crossing within 30
days.
Several chamber members mentioned that the rides at the Somerset County Fair
were in a lot better shape that the ones we’ve been using at Crab Derby.
Virginia Townsend will ride up to the festival grounds and meet with the owners
of the rides.
Motion made to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. by Terry Pehan, seconded by John Phoebus.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Mason
Office Manager
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