Elkton Alliance, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Minutes
Present: Chairman, Roger L. Owens
Marjorie Blystone Kathleen Kunda.
Larry W. Crouse Jr Rob Massimiano
Candy Davis Chris Ann Szep
Cindy E. Fetterolf
Excused: Mayor Robert J. Alt Donna A. Kitts
Linda Burris Dr. Kenneth L. Lewis
Marybeth S. Cole Sharon Pelham
Donald S. Hicks
Also: Mary Jo Jablonski, Executive Director, Autumn Marquess, ACM Insurance, Commissioner Earl Piner, also Jeanne Minner, Town of Elkton Planner. Special Guests: Andrew Dickenson, Ingrid Minihane, and Patti Paulus
The monthly meeting of the Elkton Alliance, Inc. Board of Directors was held Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at the Elkton Alliance/Chamber Office, 101 East Main Street, Elkton, Maryland. Chairman Owens called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. The minutes from the previous meetings were approved as presented.
DEFA: Chairman Owens introduced the Special Guests, members of the Downtown Elkton Festival of the Arts Committee (DEFA) who gave a presentation on the event they are planning for May of next year. See attached packet.
Treasurer’s Report & Minutes: Mr. Crouse reviewed the Treasurer’s Report for the previous meetings. Ms. Szep made a motion to approve the report, Ms. Kunda seconded.
Organization:
Membership: Mr. Crouse stated $5,900 in dues has been collected and 38 members have joined.
Volunteer Hours: Mr. Crouse stated over 30 volunteer hours have been logged in the previous month.
Economic Restructuring:
Ms. Kunda stated she is forming the Committee now. She stated it is important to keep a watch on the Route 40 revitalization.
Design/Arts & Entertainment:
Banners: Ms. Blystone stated the banner design has been chosen and there is a meeting next Monday to discuss continuity among the banner design and rack cards. She stated Mr. DeFreitas will print 1,000 rack cards for the Art Loop so we can advertise at the local hotels and rest stops.
Operation Lucky Charm: Ms. Blystone stated plans are still on for Operation Lucky Charm and she had experimented with different types of adhesive.
Office Report:
Building Interests: Ms. Jablonski stated she has shown the 114 East Main Street building to someone interested in an Antique Mall. They are currently getting prices for the build out. She stated the old McMillian building is a perfect spot for a blackbox theatre and she has been trying to get the name of a contact from Economic Development but she was able to find them via social media. The owner of the building does not want to rent, the price just dropped to $175,000.
Music on Main: Chairman Owens stated he does not want to lose the momentum of all the excitement downtown by reducing entertainment. Ms. Jablonski stated since the budget has been cut she has had to reduce the advertising. She stated she will be able to advertise in the Guardian once a month. Ms. Marquess asked if it there was a price difference between advertising in print vs. online for the Cecil Whig because more people are switching to online. Ms. Szep asked if a sandwich board has ever been used to advertise. Ms. Blystone stated the Before I Die boards are in storage and could be converted.
Restaurant Impossible: Ms. Jablonski stated the show featuring Lyons Pharmacy will air on April 22nd at 10 PM. There will be a viewing party at Minihane’s that night starting at 9 PM.
Promotion:
Citizen of the Year: Ms. Jablonski stated the event is up to 104 people already.
Paws on the Pavement: Ms. Jablonski stated the Alliance will be partnering with PAWS for People for a new event Downtown encouraging visitors to bring their dogs downtown to shop.
Bassmaster’s Tournament: Ms. Jablonski stated she is meeting with Tourism to discuss how Elkton can help capitalize on the event coming to Cecil County. Chairman Owens stated it will bring a lot of people to Town. Ms. Jablonski stated the Town of Elkton will host a dinner the Tuesday night prior to the event for all participants and she plans on making welcome bags to place at the hotels for visitors. She also plans on making welcome bags for the Pope’s visit as well in September. She stated there isn’t money in the budget to purchase the bags.
Color Vibe: Ms. Jablonski stated the posters purchased by Color Vibe are in and she is starting to distribute them.
Other:
Luncheon: Ms. Kunda asked if Ms. Jablonski had gotten any other information from the luncheon speaker in February about holding a workshop. Ms. Jablonski stated Mr. Enslin will be getting prices to us.
Membership Campaign: Ms. Blystone stated there has been discussion on whether to offer new businesses membership without fees and maybe a welcome basket to new members with contact information. Ms. Davis inquired if it was for every new business including chains? Discussion was held on the subject. Ms. Jablonski stated we should offer them the $25 family membership. Ms. Kunda stated she can call it introductory membership.
Annapolis: Ms. Szep stated she attended the Reception for District 35 and said it is important to have relationships with our elected officials to help with our local organizations.
Republican Dinner: Ms. Kunda stated there will be a Republican Dinner on April 25th and they hope to have Govenor Hogan there as well as Delegate Hornberger. It will be held at the Wellwood and there will be a silent auction.
Town: Ms. Minner stated the Town has been getting a lot of calls regarding dorman properties on Route 40. She stated Wawa will hopefully be in on Monday night for final approval at the Planning Meeting.
Article: Ms. Fetterolf stated she read an article recently that stated there is a growing trend that Towns are giving Economic Development funds to groups like the Elkton Alliance.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:01 a.m.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 7, 2015.
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