The bimonthly meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, October 12, 2008 at the San Benito Museum, E. Heywood Street, San Benito, TX starting at 2:07 p.m. with twelve members and nine guests present. Larry Lof, Chairman, called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman Lof. Lof then had the guests introduce themselves.

Approval of Minutes -- Chairman Lof noted that the minutes of the August 17, 2008 meeting had been mailed to some members, e-mailed to other members, and also posted on the CCHC website. There being no corrections or additions, on a motion Mary Hardy, seconded by P. G. Cavasos the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair -- Lof thanked the San Benito Museum docents for the interesting tour of the museum

. Treasurer's Report – In the absence of Treasurer Gavito, Chairman Lof read the finance report submitted by the Treasurer. The fiscal ending year of September 30, 2008 showed a balance of $5,129.48 remaining out of an initial budget of $6,650. $1,520.52 had been expended. For reasons not clear the county had not reimbursed either Mary Hardy or Mary Torres on expenses incurred within the 2007-2008 fiscal period. This was discouraging as was the fact that available funds were not utilized. For the 2008-2009 fiscal year the County has budgeted the same amount, $6,650, for the CCHC.

The subject of utilizing some of the funds for payment of THC markers to go into public places, such as cemeteries, was brought up by P. G. Cavasos. It was noted that this was a somewhat gray area that would have to be further investigated.

Museums/Oral History –Rio Hondo CCHC members Pete and Olga Castillo and Sharon L. Newell, formerly of Rio Hondo, noted that the Rio Hondo Museum had been established in a room in the Rio Hondo Administration Building. This was extremely fortuitous because the initial site for the museum in the Rio Hondo Public Library was badly damaged by the waters of Hurricane Dolly in July. Two classes have already viewed the exhibits.

Tootie Madden of the San Benito Museum announced that the Museum was going to hold a Volunteer Appreciation Event on Thursday 11/13 at 6:30.

Sandra Tumberlinson indicated that the Museum had worked on a San Benito History Book for the school system.

Steve Hathcock reported that historical structures on South Padre Island had faired well in the hurricane of July 23 but modern buildings much less so. He noted the 2009 planned 35^th Anniversary of the Queen Isabella Causeway plan and that it might even be good to have a person or more remain in the structure during a storm.

Ed Meza who chaired this committee is no longer able to do so and he has moved form acting city manager of Port Isabel into permanent status in that position.

Cemeteries – P. G. Cavazos spoke of the marker dedication on HWY. 281 near San Pedro. An audience of just under 50, including Commissioner Wood, attended the revealing of the marker dealing with the establishment of a cemetery by matriarch Dona Estefana Goseacochea. He stated that we should invest in a cover to use for marker unveilings. He continues work on documenting information to obtain a marker for the San Pedro Cemetery and may have it ready by December

A brief discussion followed regarding a marker for the San Benito Cemetery. Sarah Williams of the city is investigating this subject. The use of colloquial names often confuses the history research.

Roads – No report, however P. G. Cavasos again noted that he was working to correct the name of Carmen Blvd. back to Carmen Avenue.

Restorations – It was noted that the old El Jardin Hotel in Brownsville was being lost through scrapping activities and attrition. It was then pointed out that attendee Shirley Vega had been appointed chairman of the Preservation Board of San Benito. An ordinance relating to this is awaiting a second reading.

Website/Newsletter – No report. P. G. Cavasos inquired about some of his copyrighted material that had appeared on the inter-net. It was a submission that he had provided to the THC as background matter to obtain an historical marker. As such he was informed that the material became one of public record. Copyrighted material may also be reproduced if it is utilized for historical research and not for profit.

History Markers –- Committee Chairman Rozeff announced that First Methodist Church of Harlingen was working on documentation to secure a THC marker. Sandra Tumberlinson then spoke of her desire to obtain a marker for the congregation of the Gethsemane Presbyterian Church of San Benito. It will be celebrating its 100^th anniversary next October.

History-Art Contest – No report. Chairman Lof appointed Mark Clark to chair this committee. Priscilla Rodriguez has expressed interest in helping to publicize the event.

Chairman Lof revealed that he this day he had visited the old church in Santa Maria to survey its status. Although some roof beams had been replaced, work on the structure was not progressing. The roof has not been re-shingled.

Deacon Saldivar of the Santa Maria mission parish then provided a thorough and fact-filled exposition on the history of the Our Lady of Visitation Catholic Church now in such dire straits. Current work on it is intermittent and piecemeal. The Diocese appears to have other priorities. In addition the fate of the two mission parishes, one in Santa Maria, the other Bluetown, is unclear as to their futures.

Mark Clark spoke of having artist create works for the old church after restoration. Lof reminded all that the Stillman Trust had donated $6,500 for restoration work but that it was being held in abeyance until major corrective action was exhibited by the Diocese and Javier Solis who is in charge of construction contracts. Although stories on the church have been publicized in the Brownsville Herald and on Channel 5 by Rick Diaz public outcries have been muted. Once again Chairman Lof voiced sentiments that he would act to poke or nudge the Diocese into more rapid action. A word from the THC might help this effort.

The County is about to close the purchase of the Laiseca Building. It needs to act soon because water damage from the hurricane is exerting its effects.

Rozeff then reported on the By-Laws Committee actions. Julie Pena. P.G. Cavasos, Mary Hardy, and he had met last week and reviewed the 1999 revised By-Laws, article by article. It soon became apparent that numerous articles were outdated and had not been complied with in later years. Rozeff asked that rather than reading the whole proposed By-Laws, as revised, that Robert's Rules of Orders be dispensed with. On a motion by Mark Clark, seconded by P. G. Cavasos, a motion to that effect was made and carried. Rozeff then read the primary passages that had been changed and explained their meaning. Lof then asked all members to review the new proposed By-Laws for a vote at the next meeting. Members who did not receive a copy via inter-net would be mailed a copy.

Lof brought up the subject of the CCHC meeting day. All present were of the consensus that it should be left as is.

He then spoke of a petition that was circulated and had been signed by 5,000 individuals. It dealt with opposition to the proposed toll road that would follow the old Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way and in effect isolate the historic Riverside area of West Brownsville. In ongoing support of this opposition the CCHC voted unanimously on a motion by Mark Clark, seconded by Norman Rozeff, for at a resolution that voices CCHC opposition to the construction of the West Loop Toll Road.

The Brownsville Historical Association has been restoring the old City Vaults. For some time Ed Meza has requested the CCHC remove its records from the Treasures of the Gulf Museum. Priscilla Rodriguez now says that this is likely feasible when the Vaults are soon completed. A motion to approve moving the extensive CCHC county records to this new site was made by Lucia Weaver and seconded by Mark Clark. The motion carried.

Jack Ayoub then spoke briefly about his ideas to promote celebrations in recognition of Texas Independence Day and San Jacinto Day. The city of San Benito is going to issue a proclamation for the former. On February 28, 2009 the day will see re-enactors, horseback riders, Native American exhibits, Tejano cookers, and more.

Members and guests were reminded that member re-nomination forms and nominations for new members forms had to be by the next meeting in order to submit them to the County Commission in January.

The next meeting, our annual one at which officers are elected, members re-nominated, and new members proposed, will be in Brownsville on December 14.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:34 p.m. Refreshments were then kindly provided by the San Benito hosts.

Respectfully submitted,

Norman Rozeff

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