A regular meeting of the CCHC was held Sunday, July 5, 2009 on the grounds of the Treasures of the Gulf Museum, Port Isabel Texas at 2:20 p.m. with eight members and one guest present. Mary Torres, Chairman, called the meeting to order.

Approval of Minutes -- Chairman Torres noted that the minutes of the July 5, 2009, meeting at Rio Hondo had been mailed to some members, e-mailed to other members, and also posted on the CCHC website. On a motion by Peter Goodman, seconded by Linda Correa-Garza, the minutes were approved as distributed.

Report from the Chair -- Mary Torres welcomed the members and guest and apologized that for unknown reasons Ed Meza had not arranged for the museum to be opened.

Treasurer's Report – Jose Gavito had e-mailed a budget report which was discussed by Chairman Torres. Of the county budget of $6,650 for the CCHC through the fiscal year ending 9/30/09, the CCHC had expended only $1,568.50 through July 30, 2009. This leaves a budget balance of $5081.40. A new budget has been prepared by the treasurer and submitted for consideration for the fiscal year starting October 1, 2009.

Mary Hardy apparently will not be compensated for the sum she put out for art history contests. Rozeff elicited that perhaps some of the present funds could be used to published his 50 page monograph on Union Forces in South Texas in the Civil War and distribute it to libraries. This would utilize some of the money under the Education category. Larry Lof moved that Rozeff and Torres look into other material that may deserve republication and also Tropical Trails and Chamber of Commerce items that would promote Cameron County. After a second by Peter Goodman, the motion carried. When the sad condition of the Laiseca Building was noted, the thought came to mind that perhaps the $5000 or so remaining in the CCHC budget could be rolled back to the county for utilization of this building's repair. As Peter Goodman noted, anything to add to the pot would help. He was asked to look into the possibility of such a rollover. Lof presented some background on this building unique in all of Texas. It was built in 1887, purchased by the Laisecas in 1921, and operated by this family until 1990. Lof moved that any unused CCHC budget funds be used for Laiseca Building stabilization. This motion was seconded by Allan Peakes. The motion carried. It was thought that the CCHC could set a meeting with county commissioners to discuss the stabilization of the Laiseca Bldg. and also present it with a progress report of CCHC activities.

Museums/Oral History –-Lof told of Brownsville hosting a meeting of the Association of Museums. He then briefly described the complete transformation of the Brownsville Heritage Museum in an effort to make it more visitor friendly.

Norman Rozeff reported that the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum 's advisory board had accepted his proposal for revitalizing its history building to reflect more of Harlingen's history and less of that of the Valley. A first step will be to produce a room exhibiting Harlingen's military-associated history.

Cemeteries – Rozeff stated that he is working with city officials of San Benito to obtain a state historic cemetery designation for the San Benito City Cemetery. Lof reported the ongoing clean up of the Old Cemetery in Brownsville. Mary Torres commented on the continuing efforts to digitize information on the Harlingen City Cemetery and get it online.

Roads –There was nothing new under this category.

Restorations –Regarding work on the Our Lady of Visitation Church, Santa Maria, Lof indicated that he had moved aside with his asistance efforts after the Diocese poorly treated the 88- year old, very experienced mason who could have offered valuable advice on the structure's repairs. Torres noted that the DAR efforts to sell a fund-raising brochure and drawings of the church would go forward. She would e-mail the material for review and feedback.

Rozeff stated that the Bobo House restoration at the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum were stalled after it was discovered that the presence of asbestos and lead paint in the building would have to be investigated for remediation.

Lof told of the considerable progress being made on the Commandant's House at UTB and the interior renovation of the old Cavalry Building.

It was sadly mentioned that the national retail pharmacy chain, CVS, had demolished the unique art moderne 1930's Glass House in Harlingen.

Website/Newsletter – Webmaster Clint Thomas is still up north. New articles continue to be added regularly to the site.

History Markers –- Committee Chairman Rozeff announced that two churches in Harlingen, the United Methodist and the First Baptist, both of which will be soon celebrating 100 year anniversaries, are still working on marker narratives.

History-Art Contest – no report.

Publicity – no report.

None

Rozeff reported the receipt of a letter and packet from the U. S. Coast Guard inviting comment on the proposed erection of a 400 foot communications tower near its present station at the south end of South Padre Island. Several CCHC members then voiced some concerns about such a structure since the old and historic Coast Guard Station building was nearby. It is presently utilized as a marine laboratory. Allan Peakes was given the literature to review and provide feedback to the CCHC and then possibly the CG. This is due by August 28 to the CG.

Jack Ayoub reported that the San Benito Museum people were completing work on the Acadia Publishing Company book that would contain 180-230 historic photos of the city. He also noted that planning was going forward for the 2010 Texas Independence Day celebration in San Benito.

Rozeff told of the proof copy of Harlingen's Centennial book being received this week. He described this hardcover cocktail table book, that will retail for about $36, in glowing terms.

Larry Lof asked about considering changing the currently scheduled meeting day and time to an alternative that would allow more members to attend. A brief discussion followed. While the next meeting will be in San Benito, Sunday October 18, 2009, it was thought that the December Brownsville one might be held on a Saturday morning..

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Norman Rozeff
CCHC Secretary        Return to CCHC Home Page