Volume 36, Number 1 - Summer 1996
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
by Jerry W. Gideon
As always, I’m in a quandary as what type of message to bring to this publication, and as far as I can tell, there are no policies or guidelines set forth by our organization as to the subject matter of such, therefore I will choose a course of communication in order to bring the members and others up to date about the progress of the number one subject that should have an effect on each of us. That is the project that we are now involved in, that is, The Old Taney County Jail Building renovation for our home. Grab your seat and hang on tight, here goes.
At a board meeting 17 April 1996 approval was given to set up a building fund for this purpose by using one thousand dollars from the savings account and accepting five hundred dollar donation from the Taney County Historical Committee. As a result of this directive, an account was opened at the Boatmen’s Bank in Forsyth, Mo. for the stated purpose, and Bob Miley and Jerry Gideon were approved to sign all checks for payment and to account to the WRVHS board for all expenditures for this project. Also approved at this meeting was a decision to have the upper level "made ready for painting" and a work day to do the same was set for 18 May.
Contact was made with a local contractor, John Whitley about the project and he and I visited the building and went over the items of concern. The decision was made to replace the entire N/W section of the ceiling due to water damage, which is about one-third of the total ceiling. John had indicated to me that he would donate his time and use one of his employees at least one day or maybe two. Before a cat could lick its paw, he arrived with his truck and backhoe, dug into the water meter, hooked on with a stop and waste valve, placed a new water line with insulation to the upper floor, bored a hole through the 12-inch concrete floor and placed a new valve to same and hooked up to a new water heater, then replaced all the hot and cold water lines, replaced lavatory drain traps and pipe, and enlarged the sink drain (cut out concrete) to take dishwasher if needed later in kitchen area. It was discovered another rest room was possible and a donation was made by one of the members for new stool and tank, also new lavatory which he installed, installed new electric line from entrance box to water heater and new fourplex in kitchen area, reworked lighting fixtures, and furnished from his warehouse various materials, pipe, fittings and other supplies including 10 gallons of paint (sealer and prime) for the walls and ceiling, hauled offjunk from around the outside of the building, the old ceiling and trash from the clean up of the upper level, bored a new entrance through concrete wall for gas line when it needs to be installed, had the two windows made that had to be replaced and installed them, and remember, in all of this he installed the new ceiling, taped and sanded the joints ready for paint. He furnished all of his own tools, tools of the trade plus countless trips here and there for supplies.
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I should point out that John is a native son, a man with extraordinary skills, a professional, a good citizen, one who accepts responsibilities with glee, not only in his persnal life but includes his community, friends and neighbors. I wish to point out that these characteristics come natural for he is a chip off the old block, and I might add, a very fine block.
These same characteristics come alive in others who have been contributors to this point in this project, namely, Jeff Justus of L & J Supply of Branson, Danny and Sheila Wyatt at Forsyth Hardware, Meeks Building Center, Viola and Fred Hartman, Mary and Hillary Brightwell, Kathleen Van Buskirk, Bob Miley, and Granville Beasley and his mighty brush and rollers filled with white paint. At the May 18th work day meeting Fred Hartman and his son Roger, plus Pauline Barton and husband Ben, Robert Gilmore, Bob Miley and Jerry Gideon and Ed Sullivan greeted the upper level of the building with paint and energy to make great improvements.
At this point in time much progress has been made with limited funding, and by the time you read this, many other progress reports will be filled with good news about the Open House during the 5 days in July of the Taney County Fair plus updates on other matters that we will have completed. Good luck for a great summer of 1996 and hope to see many of you at our next meeting.
P.S. At 9:30 A.M.,Central Daylight Savings
Time Forsyth, MO.---in a meeting with the Taney County Commission .... the commission agreed to fund this historic project in the amount of $5000 if we agree to contract with them to provide a service to the citizens of Taney County such as renovation, and restoration of a historical building for the purpose of preserving this very important part of the County History, and that these funds be spent for that purpose and no other, July 1st 1996.
P.S With 90 percent of the original objective completed, and 100 percent more than was intended in the first phase, including eight tables and 24 fine cushioned chairs, with a building fund of $1500, expenditures of $946.54 including check book, an additional $100 donation by a member, total building fund $1600.00 balance on hand $653.46
Thank you for the great support on your projects.
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