Saucier Improvement Association - One Community, One Voice

SIA Board minutes, August 14, 2006

Members present: Wayne Jones, Steve Howard, Amy Blankenship, Ron Dougherty, Sara Smith, Eli Sauls, Nadine Nicolls
Guest: Joe Moleta
The meeting was called to order at 5:50 by Wayne Jones, president. The minutes from the last meeting were presented. The spelling for Jeff Gatton's name was corrected.
Old Business:
1. Everything is on track with Andrews University.
2. Wetlands delineation-Pat Bonck located someone to come look at it and donate services to do the work.
3.The grant for Leisure Services has been sent.
4.The Farmers Market is going well. Steve and Amy attended a Farmers Market workshop. They received information on how to grow crops for year-round markets. Some of the ideas presented were not suitable for the Saucier market.
New Business:
1. Health and Welfare-Amy moved to table the vote on accepting the goals and objectives until Wanda Pate is in attendance.
2.Education-There will be a committee meeting on August 24. Ideas were presented to be added to the plan:
a. Notify the community about the WIN Center. Sara stated that they do this at the food pantry.
b. Seek support from Dollar General in teaching adults to read.
c. The proposed Industrial Park is also linked to education through the training of potential employees in the skills needed.
d. The State Extension Service offers some classes. One needed for the farmers market is a class in food services for those wanting to sell prepared food at the market.
Letters to local school principals and to the library board were approved
Amy made a motion to hold the vote on this committee's plan until these ideas were added. Pascal seconded it.
3.Environmental Resources-Eli Sauls gave a presentation on the goals and objectives for this committee. He stated that he had not yet met with any of his few volunteers. Pascal Gill stated that Eli needs to begin meeting with them as soon as possible. it was decided that Eli needed to define more specifically the areas of responsibilities. Steve made a motion to vote on the plan when the revisions have been made. Pascal seconded it.
4. Ron Dougherty is to present the goals and objectives for the Business committee on August 28.
5. Building and Beautification- Amy will present the plan on August 21. There has been one meeting with volunteers. There will be a meeting with Cindy Simmons to discuss the resources available. The Garden Club will also be discussed.
6. Business Cards-Amy presented the information on the SIA business cards and said the cardstock is available at Office Max-#8069.
7.Merchants Fundraiser-This will take place on August 19th at 6:00 at the community center. It is a womanless beauty pageant. The tickets are $10 each for dinner and the show. The money will be put back into the community through food baskets for the needy. Please support .
8.Governor's Expo-There was a large amount of information available.Contacts were made. One was with the Mississippi Arts Commission. Wayne spoke to and received feedback from people contacted previously.
9. New community center- There is support for a new community center in Saucier that may also have a courthouse annex. Colonel Spraggins supports building the center to meet guidelines for use as a storm shelter. Possible size-10,000 sq.ft.
10. Report on meeting with Harrison County Development Commission- There ia a proposed Industrial Park in Saucier. There will be a meeting to have the proposed area rezoned on Sept. 21. County zoning will control the ordinances for noise,etc. The HCDC stated that there are no large sites available.
SIA needs to represent the community on this issue as best as they can. A community meeting is needed, possible invite Larry Barnett. Need to be ready to present options.
There will be an opportunity to object as individual industries want to purchase land.
There is a need to figure out ways to safeguard the community.
There will be covenants as businesses go in the park.
SIA needs to try to influence development in best interest of the community, be part of the committees.
The issues surrounding this development can be divided into three categories: impact, benefits, and infrastructure. Refer to Steve Howard for a list of the ideas in each category.
There will be a community meeting on Thursday, September 7, at 6:00 to discuss the Industrial Park.

posted by Steve Howard @ 10:06 PM