Foristell Chamber of Commerce Minutes
Regular Meeting November 2008

Prior to Today’s Meeting there was a Ribbon Cutting held for our new Chamber Member, Grand Oaks Heating and Cooling, located at the junction of Highway W and Highway 61. The Chamber was well represented. Thanks to Nancy Hance for making all the arrangements.

PRESENT: Robert Barclay, Paula Bates, David Buck, Mary Lou Coleman, Roger Cox, Wanda Donnelly, Chris Gaines, Chris Goatley, Nancy Hance, Jackie King, Dave Monahan, Tim Nash, Sarah Nielsen, Ken Orf, Carol Powelson, Phil Reid, Allen Rone, Jack Sanford, Larry Shroth, Michelle Smith, Sandy Stokes, Charlene Twiehaus, Mark Van Dillen, Peggy Alexander, Ray Alexander.

GUESTS: Shirley Cox, Kevin Daniels-B&B Service and Repair, Kim Misenar-Selec Trucks, Jack and Sue Reynolds-Grand Oaks Heating and Cooling, Dr. Rigg-Foristell Chiropractic and Acupuncture,

President Tim opened the meeting at 12:10 p.m. and welcomed members and guests. Each one introduced themselves, and told who they represent and what their businesses have to offer.

Minutes: October 7, 2008 – Approved

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Nancy Hance presented the Treasurer’s Report. The current balance in the treasury is $2,633.32. She announced that any potential member that is interested in joining the Chamber should take advantage of doing so now. They can join now for a half price fee of $37.50 and have the membership carry over for 2009 as well. We held our first 50/50 drawing today. David Monahan was the lucky winner. He split a pot of $48.00 with the Chamber.

Program: Today’s speaker was our member Roger Cox, who was the first Mayor of Foristell. He gave us a very interesting and informative presentation on the history of the City. This is my overview of his presentation and may not be entirely accurate as to the facts as he presented them. He first lived in Foristell in 1951 when he was a young boy. The house his family lived in then was built in 1850 when the City was named Milleville. The house was located on what today is Archer Road. He said that the name was changed to Foristell sometime in the early 1900’s. Roger graduated from high school in 1969. He married his wife Shirley in 1971 and they moved away. When he returned to Foristell in 1978 he moved into a house, on then State Highway #2, next to Kiddie Corral. Today he lives at 145 North Main Street which was originally Dr. Miller’s house. He said that after all the places that he lived when traveling, no place seemed like home to him like Foristell does. The Booster Club was organized in 1958 to raise money for street lights and other improvements. They would hold street dances. Roger got involved in the club in 1978.
The City was incorporated in 1980. The Booster club was dissolved. Roger served as Mayor from 1980 to 1990.
Roger had documents, pictures and historical data that he passed around for us to view. He gave us some historical background also. Where Travel Center is now located was the site of the Methodist Church and a junk yard. In the 1940’s it was the location of the Columbian Camp that had two gas pumps and twelve cabins. Bob’s Beer Palace was located in the building which is now City Hall. There was an old stone building which is now located at the Daniel Boone Home Village in Defiance that was formerly located next to CJ’s Pizza and was the Mason Grade Tobacco Company. It served many uses over the years before being moved. Foristell had a land fill for five years which Roger fought. He was involved in trying to bring a race track to Foristell in 1989 that he thought would boost the economy of the area by creating jobs and help out the local farmers by selling their feed and grain to feed the horses. The proposal did not pass.
We thank Roger for his presentation and his many years of service to Foristell.

Old Business: Tim asked for a report on the Habitat for Humanity Annual Celebration of Trees which Mindy Schoenmaker from Westbound Realty had presented last month. She was not present today. There was no report.

City Update: Foristell Mayor Wanda Donnelly and City Administrator Sandy Stokes passed out flyers on the City of Foristell and Foristell Chamber of Commerce Holiday Open House to be held on December 11, 2008 at the New City Building located at 121 Mulberry Street. They asked for help from Chamber Members in furnishing food, drinks, prizes for drawings, and their attendance. Sandy can be contacted at City Hall to let her know what we will be contributing.

School District Update: Chris Gaines, Wright City School District Superintendent, reported that the construction on the new Elementary School is progressing, but the District is now confronted with problem on how to use the facility since the increased population that they had planned on has not materialized due the slow growth in the housing market. There will be an open meeting on November 10th with the public on how to open the building, and a School Board meeting on November 20th to decide on the naming process. Funding has become a problem to staff and operate the building at full capacity with a yearly cost of $450,000. The building is designed to handle K1 through fifth grade. They have been discussing the possibility of opening at K1 and first grade, or K1 up to another grade level.

Other Business: Election of Officers for 2009. The nominating Committee consisting of
David Monahan, Ken Orf and Ray Alexander presented the slate of Officers and Directors. They are as follows: President-Larry Shroth, Vice President-Tim Hooton, Treasurer- Nancy Hance, Secretary-Ray Alexander, Directors for two year terms are Mark Van Dillen, and
Marvin Rodenbaugh. The slate was voted on by acclamation. Congratulations to all Officers and Directors.

Our next meeting will potentially be held on December 2, 2008.

There was no other business. Meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ray Alexander, Secretary