BY LISA STAYTON
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Public Library District’s cash balance dropped significantly from $47,365 in June to $14,856 at the end of July, according to the district’s financial reports. The board of trustees met Monday evening and approved financial statements for both June and July without any discussion.
The July 2024 financial report revealed that the district collected $30,246, carried over $47,365 from June, and had expenditures totaling $62,757.
Trustees take issue with Hall of Fame
In new business, the board discussed the Martin County All-Sports Hall of Fame Museum (HOF). Kendra Fletcher, MCPL facilities director, informed the trustees that HOF organizers want to extend a portable display wall in the museum, which is located in a room on the second floor of the Collier Center. Fletcher noted that this expansion would require moving an electrical outlet and bulky conduit that runs from the ceiling to the outlet on the wall behind the HOF display.
Chairman Maurice Mills said moving an outlet would require an electrician’s services.
“It would be up to the board,” he added.
MCPL trustee John Triplett raised concerns about the lack of a formal agreement with the HOF board.
“It’s costing us money and we’re not getting anything out of it,” Triplett remarked. “We’ve got responsibility but no authority. We’d be well served to get rid of it or get some sort of written agreement where they’re insured. … I don’t think we should pick up any additional expenses for them at all.”
Fletcher explained that she had a conversation with HOF president Dwayne Sweeney, who previously expressed that the accolades are “irreplaceable” and, therefore, do not need insurance.
“He said if something happened to it, it would just be unfortunate,” Fletcher said.
Triplett responded, “That’s good for them to say, but if something happens to it, we’re still responsible. …I think unless they get insurance and get into some kind of agreement with us, our best bet would be to get rid of them altogether.”
Fletcher informed the trustees that the HOF holds its induction ceremonies at the Collier Center gym.
“I think it’s a good display for the library to have,” she said of the museum.
Mills asked for and received the board’s approval to contact an attorney to draft an agreement between the library and the HOF board.
Members of the HOF board include Sweeney, Phillip Kirk, AJ Haney, Everett Horn Jr., Jack Ward, Billbo Davis, and Roger Harless. Their last three induction ceremonies brought over 1,000 people from across the U.S. to Inez and the Collier Center, reuniting friends who stood on the floor together and shed tears.
Currently, thousands of people are involved with the HOF museum, which is set to add another 34 names to the “Wall of Fame” during an induction ceremony Nov. 23. Sweeney hopes to extend the display board to accommodate the new inductees.
Fire suppression system tabled for lack of lease
The trustees agreed with Chairman Mills’ suggestion to table a quote from Raymond Mollett for the installation of a fire suppression system, as well as a monthly monitoring subscription, at the vacant former library facility. The district had planned to invest in the system in advance of leasing the building to a third party; however, the lease recently fell through.
Cinema sales increase
Fletcher reported an increase in cinema sales over the past month, noting the popularity of the movie “Deadpool & Wolverine.” She also mentioned that a “Blooms bar” provided by Blooms on Main during the screening of “It Ends With Us” attracted a large number of women who enjoyed making free wildflower bouquets.
The meeting concluded with an executive session, after which the trustees reported “no action.”