Minutes of the Friends of the Geer Cemetery 10/05/2008 4:00 PM
At the Home of Jessica and David Eustice
809 Colonial Street, Durham
In attendance were: Mr. R.K Bryant, Jr. (Chair), Mrs. Carrie McNair (Research Chair), Rhonda Roberts, Mr. Calvin Sheppard, Mrs. Mamie Sheppard, Mr. David Eustice, Barry Ragin
4:00 Kelly Bryant called this meeting to order:
1. Jessica had taken 64 pictures. Some of these will be posted By Allen Dew on the online Geer Cemetery Census to correspond with data from death certificates.
2. Jessica will make copies of the Summary she has written of the history of FOGC and will send to members of the FOGC
3. Mrs. McNair has had an opportunity to speak to Beverly W. Jones, (as well as Tracy Vann, wife of Andre Vann, authors of Durham’s Hayti) and expects she will be getting some information from them soon.
4. A letter (containing a draft of the application for a sign permit) from Ron Bartholomew was read and the plans reviewed. Questions were answered:
a) What would be the proper address for the Cemetery?
902 Camden looks right. (There is a U-shaped lane through the cemetery but the only curb cut that could possibly have served the cemetery is at 906 Camden and serves as a driveway.)
b) Are the dates as proposed 1877 – 1944 correct?
Yes (After a brief review of the facts including the latest death certificates, this appears to be correct.)
c) Landscaping
We approved the plan leaving it to Mr. Bartholomew’s discretion to plant something that will beautify the sign and keep down weeds.
After some discussion and consideration of the application, Mrs. McNair moved that we approve the sign as specified in the application for a permit. Mrs. Mamie Sheppard seconded the motion. There was no more discussion. The Motion carried unanimously.
5. Regarding the NC Cemetery Survey Form: Correction should be made to the date of the last known burial for Lillie Bullock. The correct date is 1944.
The list of names from Allen Dew’s Geer Cemetery website and may be attached and the form sent in to the Department of Cultural Resources. The link to his website will also be included.
6. History Summary and photos were sent to the Appearance Commission
7. Jessica will design brochure for the Cemetery
8. Mr. Bryant will collect wooden stakes from the used political signs to stake off large squares (50 ft? 90 ft?) for cleaning and mapping in the cemetery. Stakes will be driven into the ground low so as not to interfere with weed eating or mowing equipment being used in the cemetery.
9. We still have questions about the location of a shed and the Verizon fence. Are they encroaching onto Cemetery property?
10. Barry Ragin has a radio show called “Shooting the Bull” with Kevin Davis on Thursday nights 7:30-8:00 WXDU 88.7 FM
Representatives of Geer Cemetery are invited to appear on the show this fall (Must be scheduled soon) to talk about upcoming event(s) in the Cemetery.
Meeting Adjourned
Next meeting is not yet scheduled. Next month being November and some of our members working as Precinct Officials and Assistants, our meeting may be postponed a week or so.
Minutes submitted by Jessica Eustice, 10/12/08 |
