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Draft Minutes of 2009 Board of Directors Meeting 22 August 2009Hilton Hotel, Daytona Beach, FL
Attendees: Pat Ashton, Ray Ashton, Curt Harbsmier, Robert Zappalorti (Quorum present)
A review of 2008-2009 Annual Report provided previously to all members was reviewed by Ray Ashton.
Topics of discussion were:
- Dissolving the Gopher Tortoise Conservation Initiative - Due to lack of funding and Ray’s retirement. Ray will continue to work with the public and to comment on FWC rules and guidelines.
- Pat and Ray will become employees of ABRPI and continue on the board. (Vote taken and passed by all present)
- Curt reported that he had been in contact with the Alachua County attorney to discuss their stance that a new house cannot be built on the 40 acre ranch and current site of the education center. This has put on hold the purchase of this property by Dr. David Rostal. Curt said he will continue to pursue this matter.
- The nomination of Dr. Rostal was discussed and Ray outlined his background in chelonian research and the research efforts at ABRPI. Dave is chairman of the Biology Dept. at Georgia Southern University. He is interested in purchasing the ranch from the Ashton’s. (Members voted to place Rostal on the Board with a unanimous vote.)
- The budget for 2009-2008 was sent to the board for review and comment. Ray reported that it will be a very tight year. Ashton, Ashton & Associates the source of the major funding for GTCI will be dissolved in September. Along with donations from the public and MC Davis and sales of books and shirts have vaporized this past year. Primary income in the new budget will come from FWC Certification courses (in cooperation with Wildlands Conservation, Inc.), Pat teaching science and art at Trilogy School. Research is being held up with the need for $15,000 to complete the hardware and programs needed for the low frequency sound work. ABRPI has joined up with the University of Hawaii to do the work on gopher tortoises and other species.
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