The annual meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, December 14, 2008 at the Market Square Museum and Cultural Center, Brownsville, TX starting at 2:05 p.m. with ten members present. Larry Lof, Chairman, called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Lof.

Approval of Minutes -- Chairman Lof noted that the minutes of the October 12, 2008 meeting at San Benito had been mailed to some members, e-mailed to other members, and also posted on the CCHC website. Peter Goodman questioned the use of the word "scrapping" in regards the mention of the El Jardin Hotel building in the minutes. It was clarified that this referred to the removal of the old iron fire escapes. P.G. Cavazos asked that the minutes dealing with the cemetery marker dedication be changed from "near San Pedro" to "Rancho El Carmen". There being no additional corrections or additions, on a motion Mary Hardy, seconded by P. G. Cavazos, the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair -- Lof noted that there would be a tour of the newly renovated facility and its storage vaults following the meeting.

Treasurer's Report – There was no treasurer's report, but it was noted that a longstanding reimbursement to Mary Torres was about to be made. A discussion then followed on reimbursing Mary Hardy for two years of expenses relating to the Art History contests. These expenses, it was learned after the fact, fall into a County budgeting limbo area that needs to be further investigated and will be by Treasurer Jose Gavito.

Museums/Oral History –- It was noted that Ed Meza with his new duties as Port Isabel acting city manager would be unlikely to continue as this committee's chairman and even possibly as a CCHC member.

Mary Torres spoke of the Christmas Tree exhibit at the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum. On December 16, the Museum will host the Tropical Trails meeting.

Mary Hardy noted the successful celebration of the San Benito Museum's first anniversary.

Mark Clark listed the Matamoros art exhibit at his gallery, Dorothy Good's exhibit at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts, the Cemetery Museum's Images of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and the Brownsville Museum's South Mexico artists.

Cemeteries – P. G. Cavazos related that his work on the San Pedro Cemetery THC application to recognize it as a historic cemetery would be completed by next month.

Chairman Lof revealed that Gene Balch had devised a piece of equipment that was being utilized to fix askew markers in the Old Brownsville Cemetery. A crew of volunteers is assisting him in this work as well as repairing above-ground vaults.

Roads – Norman Rozeff reported on a letter received form the Cameron County Department of Transportation dealing with a street name change. It was for a change of the name Estero Street in the La Encantada Subdivision near Ranchito to Juan L. Abrego Street. The eight residents along the street had no objection to this change. A lengthy discussion then ensued. The CCHC members were in the majority opposed to any change. The gist of the matter was that such changes destroy the continuity of history and open the door wide to continued arbitrary changes. Rozeff asked that a decision on the matter be postponed until he could investigate the street itself.

Restorations – An annual tour in Brownsville visited 13 sites where restoration had been instigated. It was happily noted that younger people are gentrifying West Brownsville, one of the city's first suburban neighborhoods. The house at 1249 W. Washington that already has a THC marker has received a National Register one too. The McNair House at 39 Sunset is about to receive its THC marker.

Rozeff reported that the second Lon C. Hill home built in Harlingen in 1919 was being torn down. The city has no historic site review ordnance. Lof, on he other hand noted that an old West Brownsville home had recently been moved to Harlingen. Mary Hardy then related that San Benito had unearthed an historic review ordnance on its books and was beginning to implement it. Great news came forth when Lucia Weaver stated that her sister and brother-in-law, the Vegas, had purchased the old Stonewall Jackson Hotel in San Benito and planned to restore it.

Website/Newsletter – No report.

History Markers –- Committee Chairman Rozeff announced that the McNair House marker legend wording had just been finalized by the THC.

Chairman Lof then said that some last minute application for THC markers for Brownsville may be forthcoming. There were no other applications in the pipeline.

History-Art Contest – Mark Clark presented ideas on revitalizing the contest. It would be opened to adults as well as teenagers and elementary school students. Three categories to judge would be painting, drawing, and photography. With publicity to be made early next year the judging would take place in the fall followed by the possible traveling exhibition of the finalists' works in various Valley museums and libraries. The solicitation of donations to provide awards to the winning artists was discussed. Michael's (art supplies) and Don Breeden's frame shop were noted as two prospects. Upwards of $1,500 might be set as a goal.

1. Chairman Lof indicated that while the old Santa Maria has had a shingle roof put on it, the building itself would need months to dry out before repairs could be initiated on its brickwork and shoring up of its walls.

Once again Mark Clark spoke of having artist create works for the old church after restoration. Research work on such a project as already been conducted. Unfortunately communications within the Santa Maria community and with the Diocese have been wanting. The key element missing is a firm commitment by anyone to the future use and maintenance of the church building. Larry Lof volunteered to go again to the community in an effort to initiate some concrete action.

2. The County purchased the Laiseca Building in November. It needs to have its shingle roof replaced soon.

3. Mary Hardy moved and P.G. Cavazos seconded a motion to approve the revised CCHC By-Laws as conveyed to members last meeting and by e-mails. The motion carried unanimously.

4. It is unclear what the volume of CCHC records is as they now reside in the Port Isabel Museum. This needs to be checked out in order to see how much room they will occupy in the Brownsville storage vaults.

1. The submission in January to the County Commission of current members to be re-nominated for the next two-year term was discussed. Secretary Rozeff read the list of current members, those that have already indicated that they would be interested in serving again, and those who through age or other reasons would no longer be active. New individuals who desire to be nominated are Steve Hathcock of South Padre Island, Betty Agado of Santa Rosa, Shirley Vega of San Benito, and Jack Ayoub of San Benito. Chairman Lof then asked the body to actively pursue additional likely candidate, especially those willing to actively serve on committees. He also proffered the idea that greater interest could be generated in CCHC matters if during the off-meeting months some sort of activities were planned.

2. The nomination committee headed by Chairman Lof offered the following slate of CCHC officers for the 2009 term: Mary Torres, president; Larry Lof, vice-chairman; Jose Gavito, Treasurer; and Norman Rozeff, secretary. There being no additional nominations from the floor, Mary Hardy moved, and Lucia Weaver seconded, a motion to elect the slate by acclamation. The motion was approved.

3. February 28 was set as the date for submission of the CCHC annual report to the County and to the THC. All material for the report should be made as soon as possible after the close of the year.

The next meeting will be in Harlingen on February 8, 2009.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Refreshments were then kindly provided by the Brownsville hosts.

Respectfully submitted,

Norman Rozeff
Secretary            Return to CCHC Home Page