Friends of the Cherokee Memorial Removal Park

Organizational Meeting

February 7, 2010

Ray Hoskins has spearheaded the development of the Friends of the Cherokee Memorial Removal Park. The group met on Sunday, February 7, 2010 to organize the group. The meeting was held at 2:00 pm at the Blythe Ferry Cherokee Memorial Removal Park.

Ray Hoskins began by saying that Blythe Ferry Cherokee Memorial Removal Park belongs to Meigs County. The Friends organization will only be able to do what Meigs County wants for the Park.

A temporary executive board was established:

Shirley Lawrence will act as educational activities chairperson,

Billy Ogle will serve as chairperson overseeing the facilities, and

Ray Hoskins will serve as temporary chairperson—He indicated that the distance he lives away and his health will not allow him to serve in a permanent capacity.

Ray Hoskins would like to see the Park developed to it’s fullest potential and the “Memorial” built. His wife would like to see the genealogy Library at the Park in operation.

Over the next few months he would like to see the Friends organization become functional and the membership of the organization developed.

Ray will begin by consulting with Mayor Jones to see how he feels Meigs County would like to see the Park develop and how we can help.

Mr. Hoskins distributed and discussed the Mission statement of the Friends group. He noted that our draft by-laws suggest that we take a role in facilitating communication and coordination of activities between the many sites in this region related to Cherokee History and the Trail of Tears.

Initial dues structure was discussed: Students $10, Friend $25, Organization $100, Supporting member $1,000

At the present time the Friends organization is unable to apply for a 501(3)c. We now have a charter so we can accept tax deductible contributions for the next 27 months

Mr. Hoskins reviewed the history of the development of the Park. The initial idea for a memorial began about 30 years ago. About 15 years ago The Meigs County Tourism Board starting such a project as a tourist attraction for Meigs County at the existing TVA Agency Creek day-use Park on Hwy 58. A Friends group was chartered to build the Memorial and small log cabin replica of the Agency to assist the public in researching their Cherokee ancestry. A broad based feasibility study was performed. Near the end of that study emphasis switched to the undeveloped TVA Blythe Ferry site which had an important role in the Trail of Tears. TVA granted the county an easement that placed the primary responsibility for operation of the new park on the non-profit Friends of the Cherokee and the County in a supporting role. The switch to the new site significantly increased the scope of the project beyond the capability of the Friends. This appears to be a carry over from the Agency Creek site plan. Clearly the County should be in the primary role with the Friends supporting the County

Mr. Hoskins reminded the group that it is not feasible for a Friends group to operate the Park and that we must remember that the Park will be viewed and supported differently by different County administrations. A Friends organization capable of supporting park development and operation may be essential to assuring the availability of the park for future generations.

Peggy Hall questioned why the Park was not opened on Saturdays. It was explained that the advisory Board had made that recommendation but Meigs County did not choose to change the set hours. Mr. Ogle explained that Meigs County simply does not have money to expand the present hours of Wednesday – Friday.

Mr. Hoskins reported that some of the goals of the Friends group should be:

An increase in the number of hours the Park is opened—thru money and volunteers,

Find a happy medium of use as a Memorial Park and a Community Center. and

Find ways for the Friends to be supportive of Mayor Jones to relieve some of the stress of overseeing the Park.

Billy Ogle briefly discussed the support given to the Park by Meigs County and local groups such as the Ruritan Club and Car Club.

Shirley Lawrence noted the Old Road Bed is now on the Registry of Historic Places and she would like to see it developed. She also noted that TWRA has said that money is available for the building of a concrete dock in the area.

Faye Callaway of the Charleston Calhoun Hiwassee Historical Society noted that she wants to develop a network of the Trail of Tears sites in the area. She noted that 75,000 people a day pass by on I-75. We can work together to draw tourist to the area.

Ray Hoskins indicated that the Memorial will be a big undertaking. Billy Ogle said that $100,000 will be needed just to start the project. Mr. Hoskins indicated that it could cost between 250,000-500,000 dollars for the Memorial.

The group agreed to meet on the second Sunday in March at 3:00pm. The meeting adjourned.

Debbie Moore

Acting Secretary