| Springport Area Growth Association The meeting room was called to order at 7:14pm by chair Lisa Mitchell and co-chair Marci Sabados. Members present included, Dan Merritt, Jackie Merritt, Jennifer Pitcher and son Jordan, Brenda Heisler, Linda and Will Taylor and family, Gordon Webb, Jeff Mitchell, Casey Tilford, Tracy Brondyke, and Megan Burgess. After introductions were given, coorespondence included a letter pledging $1,000.00 to SAGA for the downtown development from Roger and Rosi Terpening. Another pledge was made by Jeff and Lisa Mitchell for $100.00. This brings the total SAGA treasury to $1,212.22 (this includes the above mentioned amounts plus $30.00 left over from the web site and $82.22 from the donation cans). The fundraising committee reported that they are investigating opening a bank account for SAGA, of which the treasurer, Dan Merritt will be incharge of setting up. The New Downtown posters are completed and will be displayed at local businesses along with a donation canister. The first few posters were donated by Gordon Webb and more will be made. A letter writing campaign is also being organized. The media and public relations committee reported that work is being done to publicize the minutes from each meeting along with upcoming events. Any input on the web site is greatly appreciated and you can email Megan Burgess at burgess@scnc.sps.k12.mi.us for questions or comments. The web site address is http://www.springportmi.com. The events committee reported that much work has been done in the organization of 8 to 80 Days, July 15th and 16th. There will be activities from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm each day for all ages and room for plenty of volunteers, see Dan Merritt if you are interested. The tentative agenda is will be posted at a later date. SAGA co-chairs and Rosi met with a lawyer to set up the incorporation for SAGA; they reported that the lawyer will fill out the paperwork and see to also doing a 501c for $200.00. SAGA will need to organize a bylaws, records of donations, at least 3 board members, and an address. Brenda Heisler and Megan Burgess volunteered to get the bylaws rolling. The Springport FFA Spartan Sparkle is Friday May 20th, every high school student will be working down town and needs community input for jobs. They will be working from 11:30 am to 1:45 pm. Brenda Heisler is interested in starting a Garden Club. If you would like to join, please stop in at Country Town Golf Course and let her know. The club would take on such task as maintaining the downtown plants when the new construction is complete, amongst other activities. We are still in need of volunteers to go to Parma and Tompkins Township meetings as a representative of SAGA. Work is also being done on checking into the leasing of street lights from Consumer’s Energy for the New Downtown or buying new ones. Lastly, the development of a Downtown Development Authority or a Business Alliance was discussed. This group would be in charge of assisting businesses who would like to come to Springport. Gordon Webb is researching the possibility of such a group and the funding necessary to support it. Respectfully Submitted, Megan Burgess |