Schauman resigns as EDC president, replaced by Jerad Wilcox
Marshal Will Dietrich makes a presentation to the Bandera EDC requesting funding for the National Night Out event. BULLETIN PHOTO/Tracy Thayer
The Bandera Economic Development Corporation (EDC) accepted Suzanne Schauman’s resignation during June 10’s special meeting and elected Jerad Wilcox as President and Laura Davenport as Vice President.
After reviewing the group’s financial report, Administrative Assistant Karina Cabrera updated the board on the final stages of the 2020 audit.
The EDC listened to presentations from three civic groups requesting funding.
The first presentation was from Marshal Will Dietrich asking for funding for the Nightmare on Maple Street. This event combines National Night Out celebrations and a carnival type event to celebrate Halloween.
Dietrich mentioned that the event drew many out-of-town visitors and locals last year. He said that because of the rural nature of the county, most traditional activities could not take place for these events.
The Marshal’s Office requested $2,500 to purchase promotional materials, candy and door prizes. The EDC voted to fund the National Night Out/Nightmare on Maple Street event for the full amount requested.
The Ridin’ on Faith Rodeo was next on the agenda. Though spokesperson Karen Konvicka did not attend the meeting, she had presented at a previous board workshop.
The board agreed that a regular summer weekly rodeo fit in with the Cowboy Capital theme and brought in a large group of tourists to Bandera who follow the rodeo circuit throughout the Hill Country during the summer.
The EDC voted to fund the Ridin’ on Faith Rodeo for the full amount of $5000.
Last to speak on the agenda was Jana Lindig, representing the Bandera Pro Rodeo Association. The group requested $7,000 to secure the longhorns for the Labor Day Parade.
Lindig noted that securing the longhorns for the parade was an expensive endeavor costing not just the fee for the forty animals but also feed, overnight hotel rooms for the handlers, and insurance.
She reminded the board that the longhorns were “an incredible crowd draw” for the Labor Day Parade and were the reason so many tourists visited Bandera on that weekend.
The EDC voted to approve the $7,000 requested to secure the longhorns for the Labor Day Parade.
Board member Toni Kunz reported the Tinman Historic Marker application had been sent into the Texas Historical Commission and that the Commission would send a draft back with the narrative that would appear on the marker.
The EDC went into closed session at 6:28 p.m. for deliberation regarding real property, returning at 6:56 p.m. and making a motion to proceed with negotiation on the price of the land discussed in the closed session.
In other business, Allen Arterbury requested that the board add another member to the group.
The board asked that the Cowboys on Main Street be added to the agenda for the next monthly meeting.
Newly elected President, Jerad Wilcox, remarked that “this meeting was very productive, and it was good to get back on track.”
The next meeting of the EDC was set for Thursday, June 24, at 5:30 p.m.