February Minutes to be presented for approval at the April meeting

Cameron County Historical Commission
Harlingen, Texas, February 11, 2007

The bimonthly meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, February 11, 2007 at the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum, 2425 Boxwood St., Harlingen TX at 2 PM with 26 members and guests present. Larry Lof, Chairman called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes - Chairman Lof noted that the minutes of the December 3, 2006 meeting had been mailed to members and also posted on the CCHC website. There being no corrections or additions, on a motion by Peggy Gooch, seconded by Betty Jo Dunlap, the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair - Larry Lof asked new commission members to stand and introduce themself and provide a little background information. Those recognized were Priscilla Rodriguez, Joe Gavito, Peter Goodman, Julia Oliveira, and Mark Clark. The Chairman then urged the new members to select a standing committee to which they would lend assistance and that committees meet on a regular basis. He indicated that Ed Meza had agreed to serve another term as treasurer.

Treasurer's Report – In the absence of the treasurer no report was offered.

Museums – Mary Hardy told of San Benito activities. The museum there is about to take part of the old community building and has been given a $10,000 from the city. However the city is investigating plans to upgrade Narciso Martinez Square in order to make it an attractive focus of community happenings. Ed Meza of the Port Isabel Museums has been hired to help lay out what may become a $1.4 million project to include, of course, a new museum site and community center. Mary also reported that the City of San Benito appointed a committee to organize some affairs to commemorate the naming and platting of the city in 1907.The First Methodist Church of San Benito is already working on plans for its 100^th anniversary in 2008.

Priscilla Rodriguez of the Brownsville Heritage Complex spoke of its events being posted on its website and of receiving grant monies to archive the textile collection.

Tomas Arispe with the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum outlined upcoming events at that museum including a children's art education program in July.

Cemeteries – P.G. Cavazos noted that the cemetery recognition submission he had sent to the THC had been rejected, and the application was being reworked. He emphasized that the THC is a stickler for black and white photos and would not even accept colored photos that had been printed out in black and white. He thanked Mary Lou Rumbo and Santos Canales for assistance in generating the application.

Roads – No report.

Restorations – This committee is in need of a new chairman. Other discussion under this category would follow later in the meeting.

Oral History – Betty Jo Dunlap recommended that this committee be blended into the museum committee since museums were the natural repositories for collected material. Without objection, this will transpire.

Website/Newsletter – Clint Thomas stated that Forester Associates that was managing the site has posted no complaints about the growing size of the site. He asked that updated lists of members and officers be furnished for posting.

History Markers – Norman Rozeff reviewed the marker situation for 2006. Two Brownsville application were rejected, one at the county level and the second by THC Austin. Two other applications have been approved for review. These are for the First Methodist church of San Benito and the Gregg House in Brownsville. Rozeff reminded all that application may be submitted to the CCHC throughout the year but that the THC accepts application only in December of each year.

History-Art Contest – Chairman Hardy urged that more emphasis be placed on the history portion of the contest in order to broaden participation throughout the county. History teachers as well as art teachers need to become aware of the contest and become involved.

Lof said he had met with County Commissioner Edna Tamayo and the County Judge to discuss the situation of the Santa Maria Church. He clarified that the Catholic Diocese still owns the church building and the .6 acre on which it is situated. He noted that while it may devolve on the CCHC to take a more active role regarding the church's fate, one important consideration was "Who will care for it after restoration?" A question which needs answering is "Does the Church want it for an active congregation or not?" Father Tom of the Santa Maria area has not been forthcoming on these matters and, indeed, being available for communications at all.

Lof has requested that an architect team from THC come to the Valley to assess the status of the church structure along with the possibilities of the vacant building across from the Dancy Courthouse. This building has been considered for CCHC use. In both instances the critical work is to clarify intent and, if necessary, locate saviors. All agreed that the THC team should be given a reception in part to indicate the CCHC's dedication to the successful implementation of these projects.

Mary Torres volunteered to act as a liaison with the CCHC and the Tropical Trails organization.

Chairman Lof reiterated that without question the CCHC needs to create a higher profile for itself and locate a site for its records. Lof laid out his vision for the CCHC. It included a broad-based functional organization.

Priscilla Rodriguez was asked to help with publicity of the CCHC. Lof then also solicited help to secure a well-known individual to regularly attend the Commissioners Court meetings on behalf of the CCHC.

Lof indicated that he would try to locate a central meeting site for the "tween" planning meetings so travel distances would be reduced.

On behalf of all of its members, Lof then expressed appreciation to the immediate past Chairman, Mary Lou Rumbo, and to Secretary Mary Torres for services rendered to the CCHC.

Lof indicated that he would like to attend the THC annual meeting in April at the Lakeway Resort northwest of Austin.

Nydia Tapia-Gonzalez, Chairman of the Museum Association Board for the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum, then presented a program dealing with the history, operations, activities, and future plans of the museum that has been revitalized over the last two years.

The April 8, 2007 meeting will be conducted in Rio Hondo at a place to be announced.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.    Return to Home Page