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On Thursday, April 24th, the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce met for their monthly meeting at the LBJ Settlement. “We met over here because we felt like there was more room to accommodate everyone who would like to attend the meeting,” Chamber Director, Chelita Riley stated. For somebody who has never been to the Settlement before, I thought it was a very nice location for the meeting.

The meeting opened with recognition of Mrs. Jan Clemons for her dedicated commitment and amazing ability to organize the Johnson City Wildflower Days Event. To show their appreciation for Mrs. Clemons, she was given a certificate for $100 to be used at the Johnson City business of her choice. The Chamber sponsored event was extremely successful and local vendors were able to raise over $4800 in profits. Specifically, the Community Garden Club managed to rake in over $2000 of the $4800 by selling their popular craft projects and plants.

Now the Chamber is setting its eyes on its next major event – Johnson City’s 4th of July “Spange-Dangle” celebration. Chamber Director, Cheryl Pratt will get to take the steering wheel on this much anticipated family event. However, Mrs. Pratt is not working on this project alone. Chamber Director, Mark Macola is in the process of working on a “bigger and better show” for the fireworks this year. The Spange-Dangle committee have a few other ideas to improve the festivities this year. “We’re going to move the crowds this year…we’ll also be spending some more money on the fireworks as well.” Mr. Macola stated. He will be working closely with the Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department, to have the fireworks even higher so the “ooh’s and aaah’s” can be even louder. “I think we’re going to have a much better show this year,” Mr. Macola said.

The next item discussed involved Larry Milner, Suzanne Milner, Kelly Carper-Polden, Norma Honeycutt and the Townscape Task Force Committee. They are leading a campaign entitled “Paint It – Fix It – Clean It!” The whole goal of this campaign is to improve the physical appearance of Johnson City. They are going to choose a particular area of town to paint, fix and clean in order to improve Johnson City’s image. Hopefully, local residents will be encouraged by their efforts, and others will follow them by cleaning up other areas of town. “Rather than telling people what to do – they’re going to try and lead by example,” Mrs. Riley stated.

The mission of the Townscape Task Force Committee “is to envision the future of our community as it grows over the next 20 years and to design and encourage the implementation of optimal development outcomes for the Johnson City area. To preserve the past, plan in the present, and protect the future.” Some of the committee’s accomplishments thus far include: “Established Johnson City Community Education Foundation; painted Johnson City entryway signs; secured an historic LBJ sign from South Blanco County - the sign is now being restored by the National Park Service; produced a video and printed and a brochure that is currently being distributed suggesting Design Guidelines to protect the Hill Country look; held a series of community neighborhood meetings on Johnson City’s future; and held meetings with a community development expert on design guidelines.”

If you are interested in joining the Townscape Task Force Committee their “meeting dates vary, but typically are on Fridays at 1pm in the Activity Building of the Methodist Church.” Their web site states that they are “open to public participation.”

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One of the groundbreaking activities that the Johnson City Chamber is participating in includes meeting with the Blanco Chamber of Commerce. The goal behind this meeting is to create more unity between the two cities who share school rivalries, and to start joint advertising campaigns to help conserve the amount of finances that goes into advertising. They met last month to discuss working together to better achieve their individual and common goals. There will be a joint mixer with the Blanco Chamber on July 31st at Miller Creek RV Resort, more details in regards to this mixer will be forthcoming.

The meeting concluded with the following upcoming announcements:

In June at the County Fair Grounds, there will be a tractor pull, kiddie tractor pull, tractor parade, threshing, blacksmith shop, antique gas engine display, flea market, saw mill demonstrations, exhibits by the hundreds.

On May 17th, the Friends of LBJ organization will be holding a fundraiser barbeque dinner, complete with period dress, and stage coach. The idea will be to recreate the same barbeque dinner that was held in 1867. Dinner will be approximately $100 a plate.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30.