GOBA Member Web Site Addresses

Hello GOBA Members:

If you want to post your website address on this site, please send the information to me and I'll post it.

Linking is another way for us to gain momentium in letting folks know who we are and what we do.

Looking forward to hearing from you, Pat

October 2006 Minutes

Opening
President Joyce Little called the meeting to order.

Joyce Little gave the invocation.

Secretary Pat Allen read the minutes. On a motion by Felix Hinson and second by Georgia Harvey the minutes were approved but with an edit about Michael Lackey’s film editing.

Treasurer Reggie Hinson gave the Treasurer’s report; the association has (withheld) with all current bills paid.

Guest Speaker
Karen Thomas introduced a few programs from Oakboro Wireless to the membership. Thank you, Karen.

Marketing Update
Greta Lint reported the following:
· The GOBA Strategic Marketing Plan has been finished.
· It includes an annual advertising budget of $10,000.
· She would like to introduce it to us via a PowerPoint Presentation because the membership must approve both the plan and the advertising budget.
· She would like to make three 30-minute presentations: 1) one during the day at noon, 2) one during an evening meeting at 7:00 p.m., and 3) for the City Council.
· Annabelle Morgan will write News Releases announcing these meeting times and locations.
o November 2nd is the date for the membership presentations; 7.00 p.m. at the Fountain Grille.
o November 7th is the date for the City Council presentations; 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Old Business
A suggestion was made to cancel the Old Fashioned Christmas because no one came forward to manage the event. On a motion by Annabelle and a second by Jerry Crayton, the vote to cancel the event was carried.

Annabelle Morgan and Tom House spoke about the Oakboro Magazine
· This edition has exceeded last year’s advertising; it is thicker by about 12 to 15 pages (approximately 44 pages).
· It has a new flavor and ideas.
· The Quality of Life theme is a vibrant part of this edition, along with many new business ads.
· About 20,000 copies will be printed.
· The magazine release has been delayed until the end of the year.

Jerry Crayton said that a new band, The Collections, would be at the next Cruise-In.

Jim Cameron updated the group on the Christmas Parade
· The parade will be sponsored by Oakboro Fire and Rescue.
· The Oakboro Christmas Parade will be on November 30th at 7:00 p.m.
· Pre-parade activities at the Oakboro Museum, kid’s rides, hay rides, and tree lighting ceremony will be between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
· A suggestion was made that GOBA sponsor the tree lighting service. Joyce will ask Oakboro’s Mayor to participate in the tree lighting. On a motion by Bob Barbee and a second by Jerry Sharp, this motion was carried.

Chris Lambert of the Convention and Visitors Bureau reminded everyone of local October events, (e.g., the Oyster Roast, CVB website update (http://www.stanlycvb.com/).

Larry Branch said that the sidewalk construction should continue through October but be completed in November. Should.


New Business
Georgia Harvey said that Phase Three of the District Park will be discussed at the next Town meeting. She encouraged everyone to come and offer their suggestions for this Phase.

Bob Barbee thanked everyone for coming to the Rail Road Museum’s ground breaking. It’s happening!
Rail Road Museum promotion that will be held at the Oakboro Museum on Sunday November 5th between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. He encouraged everyone to become museum members. The RR Museum needs historical memorabilia for display.
· Bill Bartosh will donate a caboose – but it needs renovation. To raise money for the remodeling, the RR Museum will need items to sale.
· The Scots are looking for a community project. Maybe this would work for them.
· Pedestrian walkways between the District Park and the RR Museum are being considered.

Bob then introduced a new business that is considering Oakboro as their home site. Bill Bartosh, of Aberdeen Carolina and Western (AC&W) RR, met two gentlemen who were looking for a site for their Rail Road Dinner Excursions. He suggested Oakboro because of its new Rail Road Museum.

Mark Vaughn, President, and Greg Webber, Vice President, visited the construction site where they met Terry Whitley. After touring the site, they talked with Bob Barbee who suggested a tour of Oakboro the next day.

Description of the excursion tour:
· The train excursion tour will have two dinning cars that seat 112 people each. Tours will be on Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday afternoon for about three and one-half hours. Special tours will be on Holidays and by reservation. Guests enjoy a Four Star Dinner.
· Doing the math: If each tour has 224 people four times a month, times 50 weeks a year; then approximately 44,800 people will be visiting Oakboro annually. These people will need accommodations and they will shop.
· Approximately 10 full-time jobs and 30 part-time jobs will be needed.
· There is a high probability that this business will relocate to Oakboro. The decision is expected to be made by the end of October.
· If this decision is made, then Mark Vaughn, Greg Webber, and their families will be relocating to Oakboro by December of this year.
· Bill Bartosh is supporting this business endeavor 100 percent.
· Watch for announcements as progress is made.

Lindsey Dunevant talked about how he might be able to assist with grant applications through his new position as Regional Consultant to the Recreation Resources Services, a Division of Parks and Recreation under the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources. His office is expected to be at the Agri-Civic Center in early December.

Linda Sharp said that she appreciated the evening meeting and would like to be able to access GOBA’s Minutes via a website. Georgia Harvey suggested that we put the Minutes on the Town’s website. Pat will contact Bob Harvey and see about getting the minutes on the site.

Annabelle moved for adjournment and Georgia seconded. The motion carried.

End

ADDENDIUM
During a RR Museum committee meeting the following week, a decision was made to change the Strategic Plan Presentation dates.
· The Town Hall presentation will be made on November 6th at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall.
· The GOBA presentations will be made on November 9th at noon and at 7:00 p.m. at the Fountain Grill.
· The Monthly GOBA Meeting will be held on November 9th instead of November 2nd.
· News Releases have been sent to the local media announcing this change.

September 2006 Minutes

President Joyce Little called the meeting to order.

Felix Hinson gave the invocation.

In the absence of Secretary Pat Allen, Annabelle Morgan read the minutes of the August meeting. On a motion by Felix Hinson and second by Jewell Parker, the minutes were approved as read.

In the absence of Reggie Hinson, Joyce Little gave the Treasurer’s report. The association has (withheld) with all current bills paid.

Annabelle Morgan reported that the magazine committee is finishing the work on the 2007 edition of the book.

Bob Barbee reported on the last Cruise-in, perhaps the biggest crowd yet attended. Many were newcomers to the event. We were disappointed that only one Rolls Royce arrived, a White Cloud. The committee put an ad in the Charlotte Auto Fair magazine inviting attendees to Oakboro. We will have two special cruise-ins on September 15 and 16 at 5:00 for those who wish to come.

Joyce reported that the Town of Oakboro would like some help in cleaning up. We must encourage people to use the trash receptacles on the sidewalk.

Bob Barbee introduced Sandy Hinson, manager of Harmanco’s at the Fountain Grill. He indicated that the management had agreed to work with the Town to be open for special events.

Joyce recognized Michael Huneycutt, a guest who is currently running for Clerk of Superior Court in Stanly County. He described the duties of the office and asked for support for his candidacy.

Joyce recognized guest Lindsey Dunevant, currently running for Stanly County Commissioner. He described his background and his goal of helping make Stanly County grow.

Greta Lint reported the following:
1. We continue to build a photographic image library. Daniel Coston, professional photographer, worked the last cruise-in and will be here again today.
2. Michael Hoover, Elvis Tribute Artist, will be here on Sept. 16, coinciding with the cruise-in set up for Auto Fair attendees.
3. The ATV races at Big Lick Festival Park draw a huge crowd and will be on Sept.16th as well.
4. Sponsors are being recruited for the next season’s cruise-ins. Corporate sponsorships are available. A key issue to address with them will be the percentage of increase in business/sales derived from the event.
5. Bob and Greta have been working on a business plan for the Music Hall.
6. News releases have been sent for various events around town, including the ATV races, Music Hall events, cruise-in and burnout. Work is currently being done on the Ground Breaking for the Railroad Museum on Sept. 16th.
7. Michael Lackey will be in Oakboro during the September cruise-in to show his movie. It has been shortened to about 60 minutes and will be edited to improve the film’s impact for television viewing. He is working closely with the movie editor from the Charlotte Observer after having been rejected by a couple of film festivals. Because he intends to resubmit the film, he will not be selling any DVD’s or other products at this time.
8. The North Carolina Welcome Centers will again offer space for us to showcase Oakboro on October 13th, just prior to the race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
9. Again, Greta thanked the group for giving us the opportunity to hire photographer Daniel Coston. His images are sharp and on target.
10. Bill Russ from the North Carolina Office of Tourism also attended the latest cruise-in and made pictures that will be used in his office to promote Oakboro.
11. Contact has been made with Susan Dosier, former editor at Southern Living Magazine. She is currently living in Charlotte and works for an advertising agency there. She is a lead writer for North Carolina publications.

Bob Barbee reported on the Ground Breaking for the Oakboro Railroad Museum set for September 16th at 10:00AM. This facility will help attract tourist from distances to our town.

The Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railroad has, in the past, run excursion trains; and they have asked us to place a concrete pad on the side next to the railroad for the possible future use of such a train. Annabelle has invitations for each of you to the event and we encourage you to come join us and we get this replica of the old depot completed. Greta will be helping us with publicity for the event as well.

Joyce brought up the idea of Old Fashioned Christmas event normally planned for the Saturday after the Christmas parade. So far, no one has come forward to plan the event. A final decision must be made by next meeting.

The next meeting of the association will be October 5th at night. This is one of our two night meetings held so people who cannot leave their businesses during the day can attend.

Bob Barbee moved adjournment and Felix Hinson seconded. The motion passed.

End