MONTHLY MEETING

EZRA S. GRIFFIN CAMP #8

April 22, 2017  

Before the start of the meeting, Joe Long started a special meeting with a discussion of the upcoming end of our lease (November 2017) at City Hall.  Jerry Skotleski reported he had spoken to Councilman Bill Gaughan and he said we were on the list to speak at the Council meeting.  He also said he had an e-mail that stated the Mayor has said that as long as we are looking for a place to move, we can stay at City Hall.  Other discussions and thoughts were entertained, but the future seems doomed for us.  We need a contingency plan.  Bob Shaffer scoured the minutes of the council meetings to find the date where the Ordinance was made in November 2007.  Jerry also let Mr. Gaughan know of this and he has checked it out on line.  A meeting is scheduled for May 5^th to meet with Mr. Gaughan and others to discuss this issue.  In the meantime, if anyone has any ideas, contacts, etc. that they would like to pursue, please let either Joe Long, Howard Wolfe or Russ Jones know of your plans.  Craig Kelly also asked about the 6 months we were not able to use our rooms due to the update to the elevator.  We will be able to stay just a bit longer due to this?  The Memorial Association will hold a meeting when some of these issues are addressed and the body of the Camp will be notified of any and all outcomes.

Commander Myers then proceeded to present the Commanders Award to Brother Craig Kelly for his continuous commitment and support of the Camp.

The regular meeting was then called to order in ritualistic fashion by Commander Hal Myers.

Other members in attendance were:

Absent:  Chaplain, Scott Teeters

Guests:  Harry Mertz and George Gyuriska

The minutes for the March meeting were read.  A motion to accept the Minutes was made by Jim Jones and seconded by Craig Kelly.  All were in favor

The financial report was read by Joe Long with the following information:

          March ticket winner was Jerry O’Malley

          Per Capita to Department to be paid

The following members have been dropped due to non-payment of dues:

Robert Baker, Homer Butler, Kenneth Cahoon, Douglas Forrer, Daniel Kachinski, Mark Kahn, Rain Keating, Bryan Leber, Timothy Leber, Stephen Lewis and Thomas Sheehan

A motion to accept the report was made by Dave Teeters and seconded by Giovan Lisi.  All were in favor.

CORRESPONDENCE:   

G.O. #19 Controversial Personal Opinions; D.O. #11 Nominations of Doctor Mary Edwards Walker Award and list of upcoming Department Officers

Secretary Shaffer read a letter from a contact on the clean-up of the Bethany Cemetery.  Joe Long, Hal Myers and Ireland Myers visited the cemetery along with others to discuss the possibility of a joint venture to clean this cemetery.  Boy Scout Troop #251 has decided to make this their project and has asked for assistance. 

Eagle Scout Coordinator Jim Jones reported he had no applications for Certificates at this time, but he has received notice of a Court of Honor in May and one in June.  He is also working with the Department and Officers of the Augustus V. Ellis Camp #124 in Middletown, NY.  This is a Council that exists in both Pennsylvania and New York.  The plan is for the PA Department to absorb the Hudson Valle Scout Council into our Department in its entirety for the purpose of administrating the Certificate program.  He is awaiting a response from Department Coordinator Tony Kline. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Craig Kelly received an application for the Camp to participate in the upcoming Armed Forces Day Parade.  It was decided by vote to decline this year due to the Meeting and Open House on the same day.

The Ladies were then asked to join us for a review of Memorial Day -  Joe has still not heard from the Dunmore band.  Our Guest Speaker will be PA Senator John Blake.  Dale Keklock will film the ceremony.  Dale also volunteered to be a second for Craig Kelly on the operation of the PA system.  Scott Teeters will get the chairs.

Alana Zurinski reported that at least 38 people attended the Pizza Fundraiser at Uno’s in Dickson City.  Twenty per cent of the bills will be donated to the Ladies Auxiliary.

A reminder that the Flag Detail will be on May 6, 2017, meeting at the Dunmore Cemetery at 9:30 am.

NEW BUSINESS:  

The Commander asked for a show of hands for the next Camp Meeting which is scheduled for either Thursday, May 18 or Saturday, May 20.  It was decided to hold the Meeting on May 20.

Joe Long made a motion that the Camp donate $100.00 dollars for the clean-up of Bethany Cemetery.  Russ Jones seconded and all were in favor.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER:   

Dale Keklock reported that local newsman Dave DeCosmo would like to have a sit down with someone from the Camp.  Commander Myers volunteered.

Commander Myers also reminded the members of the upcoming visit of the Scranton Library and the children on April 29, 2017.  There will be approximately 40 children attending.  Susan Mertz will be dressed as Mary Lincoln.  There will be media coverage and hopefully we can have a local TV station there.  He also stated that this may be the first of many events to be hosted by the Library.

Commander Myers has graciously donated a 48inch TV to the Museum, but we are still in need of a DVD player. The slide projector is also available.

A Memorial Committee has been established to keep track of local Civil War soldiers. 

Jerry O’Malley commended Craig and Dottie Kelly for their efforts in getting information out to the public about our organization.  

With no further business, questions or discussion, the meeting was closed in ritualistic manner.

                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                   Robert C. Shaffer

      Secretary