APPROVED: 7-27-04
FLORENCE COUNTY CITIZENS IN
ACTION
MINUTES
OF REGULAR MEETING
MAY
26, 2004
1.
The regular monthly meeting of FCCIA was held at the Venus Pancake House
& Restaurant in downtown Florence, beginning at 6:55 p.m., with 32 members and
guests present.
2.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Walt Ranson, Chairman Licia
Stone introduced our guests and visitors.
3.
Regular business was temporarily suspended so that we could move
directly to hearing our guest speaker, The Honorable Jim McGee, member of the
South Carolina House of Representatives representing the 63rd
District. Representative McGee spoke
briefly and then went to a question-and-answer format. He reviewed some highlights of the
legislative session. He discussed the
proposed constitutional amendment that would replace the current minibottle
system for serving alcohol. The budget
bill has passed, and the state’s economy is improving. Other pending issues are: property tax relief, income tax reduction,
and same-sex marriage. Questions from
the floor included: minibottles, the
Department of Natural Resources, gambling and the lottery, education funding,
bingo, Life Scholarships, and the lawsuit regarding education funding equity.
4.
Following Representative McGee’s presentation, regular business resumed
with the reading and approval of
minutes of the previous meeting.
5.
Treasurer Bill Hoffmeyer gave the Treasurer’s
Report, copy of which is made a part of these minutes, which shows a
beginning balance of $801.79, receipts totaling $50.00, and disbursements of
$25.00, leaving a current balance on hand of $826.79.
6.
Nominating Committee.
Chairman Lou Vause and committee members Dean Fowler, Bill Hoffmeyer, and
Margaret Grimsley gave that committee’s final report. The following slate of officers was offered to fill vacancies for
the 2004-2005 term of office:
Board
of Trustees (and terms):
Bill
Sebnick, 1 year
Bernard
Mascara, 2 years
Roland
Briggs, (continues, term not expiring)
Lewis
Foster, 2 years
Tommy
Griffin, 3 years
Treasurer: Licia Stone
Secretary: Mike Young
Vice
Chairman: Lula Mims
Chairman: Lou Vause
Chairman Stone thanked the committee
for its work, and the committee’s report
was adopted by general assent, whereupon the committee was discharged.
7.
During discussion of the Nominating Committee’s report, Lula Mims noted
a conflict in scheduling for our June Regular Meeting, which would coincide
with the special mayoral election for the Town of Johnsonville. It was moved
and seconded that the regular monthly meeting for June be canceled, and
that the election of officers be held at the Regular Meeting in July. The motion
passed on a voice vote.
8.
The press conference was discussed.
Licia circulated a letter that had been refused by a Morning News reporter. She briefed the group on the various funds
maintained by County Council.
9.
Letter Writing Committee. Bette Cox reported. The hostility of the Florence Morning News was discussed.
10.
Order of the Evening Committee. Bette Cox reported. The committee recommends officially starting
our business meetings at 7:00 p.m., with the dining period to begin at
6:00. Speakers would be asked to limit
their presentations to not longer than 20 minutes, at the conclusion of which
the business meeting would begin.
11.
Membership & Publicity
Committee, Brochure Committee,
and the Newsletter Committee
did not offer reports at this meeting.
12.
Jerry McDonald briefly discussed property tax reassessment, after which,
the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
[original signed]
Michael
J. Young
Secretary
ATTACHMENT:
