FLORENCE COUNTY CITIZENS IN ACTION

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 24, 2004

            1.  The regular monthly meeting of FCCIA was held at Mr. D’s Restaurant in Pamplico, with 38 members and guests attending.  Chairman Lou Vause called the meeting to order at 6:55.  Bill Sebnick led the Pledge of Allegiance.

            2.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

            3.  Treasurer Licia Stone reported receipts of $60.00 and disbursements of $164.07, leaving a current balance on hand of $1045.47.  The Treasurer’s Report was accepted and a copy is attached to these minutes.

            4.  Licia Stone reported on the status of our brochure.  New member Kay Schweers has volunteered to work on it and has it ready.  We need to get the brochure and newsletter into circulation.  Hopefully the brochure will be available at the next meeting.

            5.  Lou Vause thanked the Phone Committee for helping to get the good turnout and the RSVPs for the meeting.

            6.  Walt Ranson reported on the web site.  We are getting about 25 hits per month.  Shannon has been doing a lot of work on the site, and she has been doing a lot of traveling lately also.

            7.  FCCIA members were again encouraged to write letters to the editors of local papers.

            8.  Barbara Burgess has asked to be relieved as Program Chairman.  Lou will look for someone.

            9.  Radio Committee Chairman Murray Jordan recently had a good letter to the editor published.

            10.  Dean Fowler Sr. suggested that we consider having an introductory membership rate.  Licia reminded members that we can now mail meeting reminder cards to prospective members.

            11.  Licia has written a letter to the editor of the Morning News regarding Discretionary Funds.  She briefed the meeting on its contents, and gave a brief overview of the whole Discretionary Funds issue for new members and guests.

            12.  Dean Fowler gave an update on property tax reassessment.  Because county council has taken no action regarding the 20% cap, it appears that new assessments and tax statements will proceed with possibly an escrow account established pending resolution of the proposed cap.

            13.  Chairman Vause recognized several candidates for office in the upcoming November General Election who were present:  Lavern Ard, Dean Fowler, and the parents of David Kelley.

            14.  The speaker at our September meeting will be Florence County Voter Registration & Elections Director Russell Barrett, who will give a demonstration of the new electronic voting system.

            15.  Bill Sebnick suggested the possibility of hosting a candidate forum at our October meeting.

            16.  The 2004 Open Government Award was presented to FCCIA Charter Member and former Treasurer Bill Hoffmeyer, who was rendered speechless thereby.

            17.  Vice Chairman Lula Mims thanked the staff of Mr. D’s Restaurant for hosting our meeting.

            18.  The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Michael J. Young

                                                                                    Secretary