FLORENCE COUNTY CITIZENS IN ACTION

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

JULY 27, 2004

 

 

            1.  The regular monthly meeting of FCCIA was held at the Venus Pancake House & Restaurant in downtown Florence.  There were 28 members and visitors present.  Chairman Licia Stone convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.  Dean Fowler led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

            2.  The minutes of the May 26^th meeting were read and approved.

 

            3.  Treasurer Bill Hoffmeyer reported a beginning balance in June of $826.79, and a current balance of $1,150.99.  His written reports for June and July were received and are attached to the minutes.

 

            4.  New officers were elected for the 2004-2005 term.  Members were reminded of the slate of candidates put forward by the Nominating Committee at the last meeting:

 

                                                            For Chairman:                Lou Vause

                                                            For Vice-Chairman:        Lula Mims

                                                            For Treasurer:                Licia Stone

                                                            For Secretary:               Mike Young

                                                            For Board of Trustees:    Bill Sebnick (1 year term)

                                                                                                Bernard Mascara (2 year term)

                                                                                                Lewis Foster (2 year term)

                                                                                                Tommy Griffin (3 year term)

 

            Separate elections were held for each office, except that the Trustees were elected as a group.  For each office except Treasurer, Chairman Stone announced the names of those nominated by the Nominating Committee, and called for nominations from the floor.  Hearing none, the nominations were closed, and the above nominees were elected by acclamation.

 

            Chairman Stone then relinquished the chair to newly elected Chairman Lou Vause, who conducted the election for Treasurer.  After opening the floor for nominations, and hearing none, closing nominations, Chairman Vause announced that Licia Stone was elected Treasurer by acclamation.

 

            5.  Chairman Vause announced that the first edition of our newsletter, The Watchdog, had been printed, and copies were available.  Members were asked to help distribute the newsletter as widely as possible.

 

            6.  Radio Committee Chairman Bette Cox reported that, due to the format change by WOLS, she had decided to discontinue her interview program.  Several members expressed disappointment over losing the program and thanked Bette for the work she did on it.

 

            7.  Membership & Publicity Committee:  We continue to advise the media of our meetings, and the Florence Morning News continues to refuse to list the information.  The possibility of printing information cards was mentioned.

 

            8.  The Discretionary Funds issue was discussed.  It was suggested that we consider forming teams of constituents from the various Council districts to directly contact councilmen.  The misuse of county funds for municipal projects was discussed, especially water and sewer-related items.

 

            9.  The Accommodation Tax issue was discussed.  County Council has a long record of misappropriating this revenue, which has caused Florence County to lose several hundred thousand dollars in penalties and legal fees.  It was noted that Sheriff Candidate Kenney Boone is believed to be on record as opposing future use of Accommodations Tax revenue to fund Sheriff’s Department operations.  Chairman Vause thanked Dr. Heiden and all others who had have worked on this issue.

 

            10.  County Treasurer and FCCIA member Dean Fowler spoke regarding the current property assessment situation.  He said that the inherent inequity of the process is pitting neighbors against each other, and that the only way to achieve true reform is to vote the bad actors out of office.

 

            11.  The next regular meeting will be August 24^th at Mr. D’s Restaurant in Pamplico.  Vice Chairman Lula Mims reports that we will have exclusive occupancy of the restaurant, which would not normally be open at that time, and that the price for the buffet will be $7.50 per person.  She will need an accurate count of persons planning to attend, as far in advance as possible.  Dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by our business meeting at 7:00.  The annual Open Government Award will be presented at that meeting.

 

            12.  Chairman Vause plans to call a meeting of the executive board in the near future, to discuss strategy and new projects.

 

            13.  Licia Stone asked all newly elected officers to gather briefly after the meeting for photographs.

 

            14.  The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                    Michael J. Young

                                                                                    Secretary

 

 

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