The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. at the home of Mike and Suzanne Schexnayder. Heather Westra conducted the meeting in Randy Nichol’s absence. Present were Heather Westra, Mike and Suzanne Schexnayder, Ana Forbes, Martha Soloman, David Franz, Carolyn Schwarzhoff, Mark Upton, Greta Corona, Sonya Pickens, and Mary Fontenot. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Sonya Pickens gave the financial report. $1,800 was spent on security patrols in July and $2,200 in August. She received fourteen new payments. Five new neighbors joined. Margaret Bach gave Peggy Hilzim and Sonya a list of new neighbors so they could be welcomed into the neighborhood.

David Franz gave a security report, which was followed by a discussion about speeders in the neighborhood. Drehr, Myrtle and Camelia seem to have the worst offenders. Heather saw one car drive around a stopped school bus that was letting children off. It was decided that the board would ask Cpl. Stone to be diligent about giving tickets. A warning will be put in the newsletter asking speeders to slow down and watch for children.

Mark Upton updated the Board on the Historic District. He represents Drehr Place on the Historic District Board. Martha Soloman is the Board Member-at-Large. The surveys of Roseland Terrace and Kleinert Terrace are now complete. Now is the time for review and to write the Historic District guidelines for them. Mark said that it was suggested that Drehr Place, Roseland Terrace and Kleinert Terrace all be lumped together as the Garden District Historic District. Because the three subdivisions have unique traits and because the name, Garden District, was given to the area relatively recently, the Board decided to fight this suggestion.

The newsletter was discussed next. Mary Fontenot is planning to work on it this coming weekend. Mark offered to write an article about the Historic District. Suzanne will write one about her live oak project, discussed at the last Board meeting. Heather will submit one about speeders. Greta Corona will write one about having a Tour of Homes. Heather will check with Randy Nichols about the date of the Fall Party. We are aiming for Sunday, Oct. 29th. The Holiday Lighting Contest will be mentioned. (Two hundred dollars was authorized as expenditures for it). Caroline Schwarzhoff suggested that the message, “Do you want to advertise in the Garden District Newsletter” with contact information could be put in the newsletter. The Book Festival and Christmas Caroling will also be mentioned.

The Beautification Report was given by Suzanne. Now that the weather is cooler, she will advertise on the GDCA list-serve to get volunteers to measure trees. Her article in the newsletter will explain it all. On a different subject, Mike was wondering if the alleys are public or private property. We would better know what we could ask of the city if the answer were known.

Greta, on the Social Events Committee, told the Board that she needs a larger list of prospective homes for the Tour of Homes. There are, so far, not many homes being offered. It was suggested that she meet with Flo, who organized it for several years to make a list of who to call and who not to call. A possible date for the event has been set as April 29, 2007. The Tour may include homes, gardens and courtyards.

Heather brought up the strolling cocktail party idea that was discussed at the last Board meeting. The Board thought of several reasons for not having it. Heather said she would discuss it with Randy when he gets back to town.

New business included a request made by Sam Sanders, from the Mid-City Redevelopment Association. He wanted to be included in our Board meetings. It was decided that he would be invited to the next one in November and could contact us if he ever has anything he wants to come tell us. He asked if we would like to have a representative from our Board on their Board. The Board thought it might be a good idea.

The next meeting will be November 15, with the location to be determined later.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Fontenot, Secretary