City of Huntsville, Texas Veterans Affairs Advisory Board

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY OF HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS VETERANS AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD HELD IN SMALL CONFERENCE ROOM AT CITY HALL, 1212 AVENUE M, HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS ON THE 15TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2018, AT 5:30 P.M. Members present: Wayne Keen, Liesa Hackett, Johnny Holland, Leta Reiner, Tom Fordyce, Fernando Chavez, John McManners, Bill Butler, Mark Robinson Members absent: Leigh-Anne Stewart, Ashley Taylor, Shane Loosier, Stephen Bright, Michelle Bright Guests present: Tom and Charlotte Oleinik, Michelle Robertson, Geannie McManners, Bill Daugette, Tara Burnett, Joe Cunningham 1. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Keen called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. DISCUSSION/ACTION The Board met to discuss, hear presentations and/or reports and potentially take action on agenda items. a. Approve minutes of last meeting - The January 2018 minutes were approved without objection. b. Hear reports from committee members Johnny Holland, American Legion, reported the Legion is participating in the Muster on March 24th. The Patriot Guard will be at the event. Fernando Chavez reported he spoke with Tom Logan, with the Red Line project. Baseball game mentioned in January will be held in May. He will get with members about date. He reported the Chain of Command event happening May 2nd in the Walker Building. Tom Fordyce reported a representative with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is at the museum on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. He reported Wounded Warrior program went well. Mark Robinson reported Muster has grown from simple to big community event. Asked members to invite public to come, all events are free. He requested participation from members about the bake sale needs. He took a peer training recently and talked about starting a group in Huntsville. He received approval from his church to hold the meetings, to attract veterans. He will move forward with plans after festival. Bill Butler reported We Are Stronger movie is still growing in popularity. Goal is still to get movie in 50 states. He reported the movie is currently in five states. Vietnam veterans are also meeting Thursdays at IHOP. Leta Reiner reported money is being donated to Fernando’s cause for leadership training. Wayne Keen asked members to warn of scam phone calls to all veterans. c. Future items, projects, and proposals. – Members approved moving next meeting to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22. d. Items of Community Interest – • Guest Bill Daugette presented a grant accessibility for disabled citizens and septic systems, with a focus on veterans. The applications are due Feb. 28. • Guest Joe Cunningham shared information on a class he offers to certify Heating & Cooling technicians through his Technical Arts Center. • Guest Tara Burnett introduced herself as the new Administrative Assistant at the H.E.A.R.T.S. Museum. • Guest Charlotte Oleinik announce March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. • Guest Michelle Robertson presented members with a flyer for Chain of Command from 4-8 p.m. Feb. 24 at Lowman Student Center, presented by Collegiate Veterans Association. The showing is free and will help the organization gather research. • Deputy City Secretary Brenda Poe was introduced. 3. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Brenda Poe, Deputy City Secretary