Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc. Board of
Directors Meeting
March 15, 2007 @ Blackstone Valley Tourism Headquarters
1. Roll Call
Attendees:
Dave Balfour, Chairman
Dave Richards, Member
Louis Yip, Member
Helen Moroney, Member
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie, Secretary
Len Clingham, Member
Theodore G. Garille, Member
Robert Billington, President
Natalie Carter, Director of Operations
Don Marshall, Member
Absent:
Sam Butera, Vice-Chairman
Louise Champigny, Member
Dan O’Brien, Treasurer
Robert Conway, Member
Anthony Capuano, Member
Marcia Green, Member
Dave DePetrillo, Member
Paul Eno, Member
John Lefrancois, Member
Richard Murphy, Member
Robert Cahill, Member
Also:
Kevin Sylvia, Financial Management
Services
Dave Balfour opened the meeting with a “Point of Privilege
of the Chair. Balfour noted he was concerned about articles
appearing in the Valley Breeze regarding the Corridor
Keepers organization. He felt that possibly the Corridor
Keepers would be competing with this and other non-profit
groups for funding in the Valley and be duplicative in their
work. Sue Tessier Mackenzie wanted to know the mission of
the Corridor Keepers. Mr. Billington sought to wait and see
if the Chairman’s concerns were warranted. He would speak to
another non-profit organization to sense their level of
concern. The Board asked Mr. Billington to look into the
situation further. Richards and Balfour were to meet with
Mr. Billington next week to discuss the situation further.
2. Minutes
On a MOTION by Mr. Clingham, seconded by
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie, the minutes of the January 19, 2007
meeting were approved with the following amendments. Under
“new business”, “d”, Mr. Garille’s name and title were
corrected to read, “Theodore G. Garille, General Manager
/CEO of the Pascoag Utility District.” Unanimously approved.
(Copies attached)
3. Treasurer’s Report
Kevin Sylvia submitted a Financial
Report, dated January 2007, due the recent resignation of
Treasurer Dan O’Brien. (A copy of the Financial Report is
attached and made a part of these minutes.)
The Report was accepted with a motion from Sue Tessier
Mackenzie and seconded by Helen Moroney.
The Chair read a letter from Dan O’Brien, Treasurer
resigning from the Board. The Board accepted with regret.
Dave Richards suggested that Jackie Boudreau be invited to
the Board of Directors and to serve as Treasurer. Dave
Richards agreed to speak with her.
4. President’s Report and Old Business
Mr. Billington updated the Board on the
following:
a. RI Tourism Legislation
Mr. Billington updated the board on legislation H6062, A
Burrillville Farm Bill and S413 that addresses a shifting of
the tourism tax from the tourism districts to the cities and
towns over 5 years.
Both bills are of interest to the Tourism Council.
b. RI DEM Contract
Mr. Billington noted that the contract between Dunkin Donuts
and RIDEM to provide Visitor Services to the Lincoln Visitor
Center has been signed by all parties.
c. Boat Operations - Spirit of the
Blackstone Valley
Mr. Billington noted that the boat was still for sale. He
has had some interest.
d. Bay Queen Cruise
Mr. Billington asked all Board Members to please purchase a
seat on the upcoming fund raising cruise.
e. Water Cruises of RI
Mr. Billington has a meeting with Central Falls Credit Union
to discuss the outstanding loans on the Ferry Boats.
f. UNWTO S.best Certification
The Post Card Announcement for the UNWTO certification was
circulated to the Board.
5. New Business
a. Green Tourism Conference – Rhode
Island
The draft of flyer promoting the Conference was circulated
to the Board.
b. Travel Satellite Conference
Mr. Billington notified the Board that the Tourism Council
would be participating in a Tourism Economic Impact Report
being performed by Global Insights on behalf of the State of
RI. Our financial chare would be $7,000.
c. Rhode Island Rivers Day Award
The Board would like to nominate Bob Sutton of RIDEM as the
River’s Day Award winner for 2007, if he is not a state
employee at time. If he is, the Board suggested we wait till
2008.
d. Rhode Island Governor’s Tourism Award
2007
The Board accepted the nomination by Dave Richards and the
second by Sue Tessier Mackenzie of the Historic Sites of the
Great Road Lincoln as the 2007 Governor’s Tourism Award
winner for the Blackstone Valley. Kathy Hartley and John
Scanlon would be recipients of the award.
e. Annual Meeting
Mr. Billington suggested that Kevin Lima a movie director, a
Pawtucket native, be recognized at our Annual Meeting for
his work for Disney Pictures. He was a recipient of a
Directors Guild of America Award and a long list of
credentials next to his name and career. The Board
overwhelmingly agreed that Lima should be recognized with a
special recognition award.
f. Recent News Stories
Mr. Billington shared a recent story in the Boston Globe and
the Providence Journal that talked about the rich cultural,
heritage resources of the Blackstone Valley.
Mr. Clingham noted to the Board that he
was staging an event on August 20th at the Monument to our
Forefathers in Provincetown Ma. All were invited.
6. Adjournment
Dave Richards motioned to adjourn. There
being no further business before the board, the board
adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Tessier-Mackenzie
Recording Secretary
