Attending: Ted Bleil, Jim Painter, Dorothy Whitten, Maryellen McVicker, Nancy Tillman, James Higbie, and Art Schneider.

Report on Traffic Signal Boxes: Gary Nauman has a stomach virus and sent the following report:

“We met….

Members appreciated Gary’s efforts in this endeavor. It certainly will enhance the park to have the traffic box painted. It was noted that the Boonslick Outdoor Arts Project is to celebrate the history of the Boonslick and that the traffic box at Main and Spring streets will have depictions of three national monuments and the World Trade Center, none directly related to local history.

Update on fundraising: Art reported that the status of the Sen. David Barton bust fundraising has not changed. (Returning to the office, Art found the exact amounts in the Barton account was $634 and the amount in the Outdoor Arts account was $3277.99--the latter raised from the sale of posters and other souvenirs.

The City of Boonville allocated $2400 toward the bust. A note from City Administrator Irl Tessendorf indicated this was the amount allocated the previous year for the Kemper bust.

Art noted that we have tried to fund at least 50% of the cost of the busts privately. The first bust was entirely paid for from private funds, the second was much lower in cost than the roughly $10,000 for a bust, pedestal and plaque because it was a duplicate of a bust in private ownership and was a casting from that bust, the third bust was half funded by the city and the last bust just $2400 of the $9700 cost because of funds privately raised.

He suggested that up to 50% support of the busts should be brought to the attention of the city administrator. The project historically has not stopped private fundraising and only requested what was needed and that in no instance has the city paid 50% of the cost.

Sixth bust discussion: Art Schneider provided e-mails that he had received about the sixth bust with the names of the commenters not displayed. They are as follows:

Jim Painter suggested that Bob Dyer should be honored on the sixth bust.

Maryellen said Bob had suggested that a memorial should wait until at least 50 years after the death of the person memorialized. She noted that one of the

She said she liked the idea of a guitar or some symbol that reflected Bob’s multiple talents, maybe sheet music, notes, books, etc…

Jim Higbie suggested a guitar would not address the relationship that Bob had with the community. He said that more than 20 people had come up to him and offered to assist in paying for a memorial. “Bob was someone we call all relate to.” He noted the contributions of music, the performance arts in the city, his knowledge and other contributions to the history of Boonville and the preservation of its historical artifacts and heritage, including the Ballentine House. Bob also was a good friend to the people of Boonville. Jim added that he did not believe Bob would advocate for the recognition for himself, but would approve that his contributions ton the community were recognized.

{Sidebar—Question was asked about the status of the updated Illustrated History of Boonville. BASHCo has reached the $10,000 goal in pledges and the board will be meeting in the near future to set up bylaws. The BASHCo. Name has been reserved with the Secretary of State’s office.}

Ted Bleil suggested people could relate to Bob contemporaneously He said Bob showcased Boonville history. “Bob is Boonville’s historian. Without Bob, we would not know about Boonville’s history.”

Jim Higbie noted that there would be considerable financial support for a bust to Bob.

Maryellen suggested that the busts are not as artistically engaging as other works would be.

Ted said that the other busts at the park are not ones of people he would recognize. Bob’s bust would be. For his contemporaries, “having a bust of Bob would be like seeing an old friend.”

There also was discussion of a statue, perhaps at Thespian hall.

Art noted Bob was well known in the performing arts as well as an historian, chronologist, storyteller. Art also commented that the intent of the project was not to just put busts at Morgan Street Park but historical figures and events at locations throughout the area. Boonville was a start and the area between Ashley Road/Main Street to the Boonslick Bridge a corridor. He especially noted Bob want to recognize some of the characters of the Boonslick, in particular Guinea Sam and had mentioned placing it on the sidewalk in front of the Conway and Blanck law offices.

Jim Higbie said Bob’s wife Sharon and Bob himself would have seen a statue as ostentatious. Jim commented, “I do not think Bob would favor anything more than a bust.” He said Bob’s widow, Sharon, would prefer a bust.

A Bob Dyer memorial CD is planned before Christmas with a concert. One thought was to unveil a memorial in his honor at that time.

Nancy Tillman of the Boonville Parks and Recreation Commission said the commission consensus is that it is “too soon” to put a bust of Bob in the park.

Jim Painter said he thinks Bob meets the criteria to be recognized by a bust in Morgan Street Park. “If someone does and qualifies, what is the big deal?” He noted that Pope Paul II was being considered by the Vatican for sainthood just shortly after the pope died and Art Schneider mentioned that the life sciences center at M. U. is named after current U. S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond.

Ted suggested that some may believe that by acting quickly is reacting to the emotion of the moment. Would the same decision be made if it is 50 years from now? “It doesn’t bother me at all to have Bob’s bust at the park.”

Jim Higbie reiterated his belief the committee should move forward on this.

Art asked if there was interest in another location.

Maryellen said that it should be at a location maintained by the city.

Dorothy suggested in front of Chamber. Also mentioned was Kemper, Bell Street Park or Harley Park lookout point. There was concern about vandalism at Harley Park.

Maryellen raised the question of what would be a suitable memorial for Bob and where should that be. She did note the both Thespian Hall and Morgan Street Park provide more visibility.

Nancy said she thought there would be support for outside Morgan Street Park

Dorothy also shared that Bob/s impact was the awareness that he created of the area’s history and also his creativity.

Maryellen suggested that consideration by given to Hain House as it had a memorial garden. She said that it would be best if the person selected to do the project was given creative freedom to submit proposals.

Bob and Harry Weber had forged a strong friendship and that Harry had presented Bob with small maquette of an art work that Bob valued highly. Bob’s widow thought that Bob would be best honored by having a work created by Harry Weber.

Earlier Art had shared the following information from Harry Weber after the initial contact by Jim Higbie.

Harry’s normal fee is $10,000 just for a life size bust. The busts at Morgan Street Park are considered heroic size.

Below is correspondence between Harry and Art:

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The Boonslick Outdoor Arts Project did come to consensus that there should be a memorial to Bob Dyer. Exactly what form that memorial would be and where it should be located have yet to be determined.

Consensus to look at three proposals:

The intent was that proposals two and three be more than a bust, but not be a full sized statue.

Art was directed to bring the proposal options to Harry Weber. Harry would be given great latitude in design and also would be asked if there was a location I Boonville that he thought would best fit for a memorial. It may be necessary for Harry to receive information on Bob to provide several options.

Art said that not-for-profits and agencies had taken the lead role in serving as the receiving agency for donations. He asked members for ideas on local not-for-profits that would be suitable in this role. He noted that his office has handled this for one bust and is doing so for a second but and that with the amount of contract and grant work now being done by University Extension in Cooper County that he would like to see another agency step forward. With the Friends in a transition, that did not seem feasible.

Maryellen said she is a chamber member (at one time the chamber had a representative attend, but that has not happened for several months) and that she would contact the chamber as a receiving agency.

It was noted that a governmental entity or 501c3 or other not-for-profit 500 agency receiving donations allows for the donation to be claimed as a tax deduction. Maryellen will let Art know.

The next meeting date will be set after more information is secured. Art plans also to send members e-mails for contacting Harry Weber to provide input on the memorial. He also will send letter to editor seeking public input.