MINUTES
Town of Blowing Rock
Board of Commissioners
Special Meeting – May 5. 2008
The
Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners were invited to a meeting on May 5,
2008 at 12:00 Noon by the Hayes Performing Arts Center. In attendance were Mayor J.B. Lawrence,
Commissioners Bobby Ball, Keith Tester, Albert Yount, Phil Pickett, and Tommy
Klutz. Others in attendance were Town
Manager Scott Hildebran, and Clerk Assistant Erica Cline.
WELCOME
After
Mayor Lawrence called the meeting to order, Mr. Terry Lentz was asked to come
forward to receive an award presented by State House of Representative Cullie
Tarleton on behalf of North Carolina Governor Michael Easley. Representative
Tarleton presented the Old North State Award to Mr. Lentz for his 19 years of
public service as a member of the Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners
on his previous service on the Planning and Zoning and Parks and Recreation
boards, Mr. Tarleton also commended Mr. Lentz for his service in other aspects
of the community and his church involvement.
Mrs.
Cullie Tarleton also attended the presentation to Mr. Lentz as well as Mr.
Lentz’s wife Teresa and daughter Tara.
After
the presentation, past Chairman Chip Williamson thanked Council for agreeing to
meet with members of the
After
welcoming Council, Mr. Williamson introduced Chairman Ron Bryson and asked that
he say a few words. Mr. Bryson updated
Council on the
Hayes
Center Director of Marketing & Communication Rick Suyao spoke to Council
and encouraged them to ask any questions they had regarding marketing and
communications and share any ideas they might have.
Next,
a power point presentation was given by Hayes Center Executive Director Jeff
Clark updating them on events such as the Blowing Rock Winterfest, Blue Ridge
Wine Festival, Mitford Days in Blowing Rock, etc. He also spoke of the many civic organizations
that had utilized the center. Mr. Kay
advised that approximately 43,000 guests had attended events and performances
with 37 states had been represented, 5 countries and 57 N.C. Counties had been
represented.
Producing
Artistic Director Ken Kay then spoke of the many performers who had graced the
stage at the
Education
Director Kim Cozart Kay stated over 5,000 students had attended performances at
the center through the TOPS educational program and that 343 youth had
performed on stage and participated in classes.
Some of the youth programs were
Mr.
Mr.
Clark concluded the presentation by summarizing how the
Mayor
Lawrence inquired what the center’s expectations were. Mr. Williamson responded they desired for the
Town to be a bigger partner with the center and to be placed on the Town’s
yearly budget.
Commissioner
Tester advised that justification would need to be made to the community and
asked what approach they thought would be appropriate. Mr. Clark responded, at Council’s request, he
would be glad to come and explain their future plans. He advised on June 16, 2008 a community
meeting was scheduled to update citizens of the center’s plans for the
future.
Commissioner
Ball inquired as to what percentage of the 650 donors resided in Blowing
Rock. She also thought their marquee
sign needed to be more visible to inform the public of their events and
activities.
Mr.
Suyao stated the center was planning a more aggressive fundraising campaign
this year. Commissioner Ball suggested
their annual report be available to the citizens so they would be better
educated on the center’s goals and plans.
Mayor
Lawrence stated the more successful the
Commissioner
Yount asked how much money the center was requesting from the town. Mr. Williamson stated they would like to
receive $100,000 - $150,000 per budget year.
After
further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:45 p.m.
MAYOR
__________________________________
J.B Lawrence
ATTEST
__________________________________
Erica Cline, Assistant to the
Clerk