The Dumas Chamber of Commerce heard a presentation by Tom Fetherson, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, about how to be more energy efficient at the Dumas Chamber of Commerce meeting Tuesday, January 4, 2022.Featherson's presentation was about Energy Efficient Arkansas and how to lower energy costs. He also played a game of Truth or Myth about energy myths and handed out prizes for people who answered correctly.2022 President Blake Downen introduced the guest and each speaker for standing committee reports. Main Street Dumas, City of Dumas and DePaul Community Health Services gave their reports.Sammye Owen, President of the Board of Main Street Dumas , thanked everyone that attended Merry Main Street. She provided information about their Christmas ham fundraiser held in December selling over 300 hams. The money raised will be used for utilities and upkeep of the Dumas Area Art Center. Main Street is also looking for a part-time executive director.The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program will be coming to the Dumas Area Art Center to hold a public meeting January 18 at 4 pm. Owen asked for people to attend the meeting due to the fact the AHPP had not held a meeting in Dumas for several years. Dumas Main Street is designated as a historic district with 13 historic registered locations. The Dumas Downtown commissioners include Mabel Dalton, Flora Simon, Melissa Curtis, Don Livingston and Jonathan Byrd.“They are going to give us a lot of information and also answer any questions we may have about the historic district. I am hoping we can get some activities started again and do some more improvements to our downtown area,” Owen said.
Mayor Flora Simon gave an update on the City of Dumas. Magnolia Park, or the westside park, will be receiving three pieces of new equipment and old equipment will be removed. Choctaw Park will be receiving a swing set that is handicap accessible and repairing existing equipment. They received a 50/50 match $350,000 grant for Memorial Park for outdoor recreational areas to start after Simon attends a workshop. Garnet Engineering designed the park and is working on three other city projects. Memorial Park will receive a bathroom, rehab the walking trail and new equipment.They received the go ahead on the drainage project Belmont and Robinwood with alteration to grant. They discovered another large sink hole on someone's property that will be paid for by the city.. The city has contacted Garnet to look at the hole. Simon reported talking with McClelland Consulting Engineering and that they are ready to issue the contract to K.J. Parker out of Palestine. They want to get started before planting season. The Mitchellville Water Project and Pickens Water Project is still on the go with McClelland saying they think they can work on all three projects at the same time once Winchester is started. The Maintenance Building is a work in progress with clean up needed at the Dollar General warehouse. Family Dollar is going to do some remodeling.
Lisa Goodgame, DePaul Community Health Services, gave an update on DePaul's Blessing boxes located by the Dumas Branch Library and St. Peters Rock M.B.C. Goodgame said they have had some activity and provided a list of items of what and what not to donate. People can give donations to the Administrative office on 161 South Main Street, the Dumas Branch Library and Sheree Jackson at the City of Dumas. They are hoping to keep those stocked year around. Goodgame introduced DePaul's new Director of Clinical Services, Sarah Tucker, who started this week. Tucker introduced herself and gave a Covid update on the DePaul clinics.
The Dumas Chamber of Commerce approved the Board of Directors for 2022 with board members for 3, 2, and 1 year terms. Three Year Terms include: Heather Harris, Linda Weatherford, Bobbi Lynn Weatherford, Camille Sterrett, and Larry Alexander. Two Year Term includes: Alice Curtis, Wade Williams, Christina Rainey, Ricky Helton, and Price Boney. 1 Year Term: Annette Cowen, Blake Downen, Bubba Hudson, Calvin Puryear, Glenda Owen, Dubs Byers, Michael Jones, Timothy Jones, Terry Wood, and Shalaundra Jones. Blake Downen is President, Linda Weatherford is Vice President. Christina Rainey is 2nd Vice President and Annette Cowen is Treasurer.
Treasurer Annette Cowen reported the December 31, 2021 Chamber financials with total fixed assets of $62,164.66 and total liability and equity of $62,164.66. She reported total program income/expense budget of $56,500, total budget operation/expense of $50,500 with net ordinary income of $6,000. The Chamber's operating activities for January-December 21, 2021 came to $18,541.18 with $34,890.66 cash at the end of period.
