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MEETING ATTENDEES: Dave Gunn (your intrepid reporter), Ralph Hambrick, Bob Burch, Roger Sattler, Jeff Ault, Susanne Smith, Tracy Collins, Elaine Casper, J.R. Swoope, Jenn Horen, Brian Walker, Chris Hull,. Monty McNeil, Steve Ensign, Chris Houston, Richard Cain, Steve Ellison, Brian Mutchler, Billy Dew, Buzz Kraft. (If your name is spelled wrong, you need to write bigger) |
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Due to an unbelievably complicated series of events involving a bear on a bicycle and an inscrutable dwarf, there were no minutes issued from the last meeting (Really I just lost them). |
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DISCUSSIONS The treasurer was again absent so we had no report, but there was a message from Aruba saying keep up the fund-raising efforts. We started with over $1,000, but have been spending money lately for concrete overshoes and gravel. We probably won't get another message from Aruba. |
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Speaking of finances, our latest projects have brought out the best in some of our members. Jeff Ault, Steve Ensign and Monty McNiel have donated many dollars and lots of time installing the steps at Tredegar Street. Jim Juriztsch (sorry about the spelling, but if you had an easier name, I wouldn't screw it up) has activated our website (JROC.NET) with his own funds. Billy Dew and Windy Knolls Farm donated $75. Three cheers and a toast to these guys. |
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Lots of our other members and friends have donated their time to our projects too. I don't have a list (that bear/dwarf thing again), but you know who you are and your efforts are greatly appreciated. |
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PROJECT REPORT Parade of Lights ? Greg Velzy and others served cider, hot chocolate and snacks at Libby Park during the parade. The event drew over 350 people at Libby Park and about 1,000 at the Annabelle Lee docks. Fun was had by all and compliments to the volunteers. |
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Gift baskets with Virginia products were delivered to the Hillcrest residents in the Reedy Creek neighborhood by a rough and rowdy crew, including some from Richmond Whitewater (who matched JROC's contribution). Only one minor flesh wound and the rest should be out of jail by the time you read this. Really, they were very well received and we got a new member from the effort. Welcome!! |
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The Tredegar steps are in and look great! Jeff is planning to install a railing and the project this weekend will add some additional fill stone, but it's real close to wonderful now. We have been using this area for years, but needed this as part of our efforts to confirm that there is a traditional pattern of access to the river in this area. (We need to keep the big bad wolf from trying to restrict access) |
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The North Shore Bank takeout on the downstream side of the 14th St bridge is this weekends project. There has been some stone dumped and more stone is going to be dumped. This weekend, we're going to rearrange the stone, clear out brush, and get the area ready for use. Barry Dixon has offered two dummy video cameras and Jeff says he'll mount them. The membership authorized Ralph to get two signs ? one for Reedy Creek and one for the new takeout saying the area is monitored and report break-ins to the Police and the James River Park. Ralph is going to keep a list and will get increased police presence with this for backup. |
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Mountain Bike Trail Upgrades/Erosion Control. Bob Burch obtained a list of conditions used at other locations for special events like a big bike race. We are aiming at preparing a letter to Ralph outlining the things we would like to see before, during and after these events (like - planning, using existing trails, restoration of eroded areas and lots of other stuff I didn't write down) |
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There are some potential projects to restrict the creation of new trails and restore the Buttermilk trail near the 22nd St parking area. We authorized money for two signs, but need to work on wording before getting them made. (How do you spell "Stay on the !*#!&@!$#!@#$%$ trail"?) |
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The Missing Link trail is still getting worked on occasionally and can be a fill in project if we ever have too many people at a site. If you ever have some free time go down and walk upstream from the Manchester climbing wall, it's starting to come together. |
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MEMBERSHIP Susanne contacted Sheri and got our banner. Greg is going to get her a list of members with dues status. Chris Hull is working on the trifold brochure/membership application. |
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Annual dues are due, but new members who paid after 9/1/01 are grandfathered in and won't owe until next January. Otherwise you need to ante up. If you don't pay, we'll keep you on the mailing list, but we won't like it and we won't pay any attention to your whining. |
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Monty McNiel is going to pursue ideas for raiding corporate coffers, but we need to make sure they know we probably oppose their slimey corporate projects. |
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Greg is going to contact Mark Pizzini to talk about the JROC emblem and getting bumper stickers, hats, T-shirts, etc. Mark is an interesting fellow. His boating helmet is painted with a large crack showing brains oozing out. Is this really the guy we want working on our logo? |
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The Coastal Canoeists have inquired into dedicating the new Tredegar Access to Garland Reese, a dear friend who died earlier this year in the Hollywood Rapid. There was no opposition. Greg will have further contacts with them. |
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David M. Gunn |