Hope Downtown Network Meets

The Hope Downtown Network met at the Tailgater’s Annex on Thursday. After reviewing the minutes there was a motion to approve them which passed. President Mark Ross stated the City Board and the EDC were invited as they are vital members.

The meeting went on to review the financial statement with an ending balance of $19,715.34. This included a credit of $4,923.50 which was the Main Street reimbursement and two debits totaling $1,373.50. One of these was the Hope Tourist Commission check for $873.50 and the other was the Elm Street Marketplace for $500.

There was a motion to approve the financial statement, which passed

Next item was the nominations and elections. Mark Ross continued as President. Barb Noble was nominated for Vice-president and elected. Beckie Moore was nominated for the second vice president and elected. Janna Fisher was nominated and elected for secretary. Kim Hollis was elected for treasurer.

For officers of the board three years were covered with the coming year’s board members being Bob Erwin, Arnetta Bradford, Rick Fisher and Steve Harris. The following year will be Toby, John Hollis and Gloria Cunningham and for 25-25 Steve Harris and John Sitzes.

The meeting covered the “Taste of Hope: with Barb Noble reviewing what would be done for those who hadn’t been at the previous meeting when it was discussed. She said there was a lot of response from the Civic Clubs and the aim was to lure people off the interstate into Hope Downtown. She mentioned activities such as the mural, the Arts show down by the Arts Council and a Style show. There will be a live auction and Jazz music in the Pocket Park.

The backup plan is Hempstead Hall if the weather is bad. Anna Powell, the new President of the Hempstead County Economic Development Corporation asked about keeping track of who had paid and maps and was told about the armbands people ticket holders would have and guides that would direct people. While there are free events drinks for those in the downtown drinks would need to be paid for.

There is the hope of getting a large sponsor to help build the excitement.

Powell asked if it would be a family friendly event and was told there would be tickets for children.

Attendees were asked to bring someone to the next meeting. For investments the Network has asked for $100 and can have companies as investors. The question was asked about voting rights with response that only board members would have voting rights. This is to help ensure that those who vote are familiar with the issues.

The question was asked about a list of current investors, which there was but currently most need to reinvest.

People signed up during the meeting to get on the email list.

Destination Downtown will be in West Monroe Louisiana this year from September 13-15. There are hotels listed but the events are listed as to be announced so booking a room near where events are may be a challenge. They events are both in Monroe and West Monroe.

Ross listed upgrades which had been done to the city in the last year including increasing the number of Park benches up to 20, ribbon cuttings, cleanups, the Streetscape Project.

Ross also talked about how the Network was trying to advance to the Associate level.

At the end of the meeting Reginald Easter said that he wanted to bring a car club for the watermelon festival called Chevy the city Downtown. This event would bring many cars to Hope and presumably much excitement.