Brownsville Business Association

Minutes

November 18, 2008 • 5:30 p.m.

Twenty-three members were in attendance Tuesday, November 18, 2008, for the monthly meeting of the Brownsville Business Association held at the Delta Room. Members present were: Frank Fawcett, Jerry Rogers, Kay Kirkland, Kristy Alexander, Daniel Thornton, Betty & Scottie Morris, Monica Bivins, Jessica Sipes, Mike Williams, Albert & Paulette Campbell, Clinton Thomas, Jean Carney, Dr. Sue McElrath, Ann Gardner, Harvey Livingston, Darlene Knox, Richard Carraway, Terry Knight, Ann & Ernest Lytle and Sonia Outlaw-Clark.

President Sonia Outlaw-Clark called the meeting to order and welcomed visitors. Vice-President Albert Campbell opened with prayer. Sonia informed the group that the Nominating Committee for 2009 Board has been appointed and is seeking nominations from the membership. Nominating Committee members are Betty Williams, Andrea Bond Johnson and Harvey Livingston.

Reports

· Secretary Ann Lytle presented the minutes of the October 21 meeting. Minutes were approved.

· Treasurer Jean Carney presented the financial report. Balance as of date is $9187.77.

New Business

• Event Wrap-Up
• Trick or Treat with Me – Merchants reported a very successful trick or treat event and members voted to make the event an annual happening. Changes discussed included extending the time frame by starting earlier and providing more lighting around the court square area.
• Holiday Open House – Event was not as well received and merchants talked about changes to include moving the date to early December and each business conducting their own drawings. Even perhaps make it a 2-day event, Saturday and Sunday, incorporating it into activities on Saturday for the Christmas parade.
• Holiday in Haywood – A huge success. Over 1,000 people walked through the doors over the 3-day period. Members voted unanimously to continue the event annually. Coordinators are already talking about next year’s plans.
• Upcoming Event
• Holiday Decorating Contest – Members who are participating in the Holiday Decorating Contest have until Dec. 6 to complete their decorations. Judging will be held Saturday night, Dec. 6, between 5 and 9 p.m.
• Christmas Parade – December 6: Members in the court square area agreed to stay open later. Terry Knight volunteered to be Mrs. Santa and read to children while Santa was on break. Others volunteered to be Santa helpers during this time. Santa will be available for pictures with Santa on the empty lot from 1-4 p.m. The Rescue Squad is providing the house for Santa.
• The BBA will conduct a Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on the courthouse lawn.
• Spring Expo – A Spring Expo was discussed that would give member service businesses a chance to display and promote their services.
• ShopBrownsvilleTn.com
• Members watched a demonstration of the new BBA website. It is hoped that the site will be active sometime in January 2009. Members will be asked to complete a questionnaire to provide information they want on their individual pages.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the BBA will be at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 16, at the Delta Room (behind Backyard Barbecue), 703 East Main.

 Respectfully Submitted,

Sonia Outlaw-Clark