Future of Hampton Roads, Inc.

Executive Committee Meeting

August 24, 2004

Minutes

Date: August 8, 2004

Time: 10:00 AM

Place: Town Point Club, Norfolk, Virginia

Present: Chairman Vince Thomas, President David Clark, Jim Babcock, Art Collins, Durwood Curling, Doyle Hull, Will King, Ray Taylor and Harry Train

Chairman Thomas opened the meeting at 10:03. The minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting of June 22, 2004 were approved.

Durwood Curling shared some reminisces of Bill Hearring’s rich life.

David Clark read Bill Hearring’s obituary. Jim Babcock moved that the Chairman write a note to Mrs. Hearring conveying our condolences and expressing our appreciation for Bill’s devoted support to our cause. The motion was seconded and approved.

Jim Babcock reported on the preparations for the Steering Committee meeting on September 18. A second Steering Committee meeting will be held to deal with proposals on how we should proceed. He reported that we have had positive responses from the many briefings we have given.

Harry Train reported that we had received a recommendation from Craig Cope that Skip Smith represent the Hampton Roads Council of Real Estate (HR ACRE) and that Skip Smith be considered as a replacement on the FHR Board for John Lawson. The Executive Committee deferred decision on the matter of a replacement for John Lawson.

Jim Babcock reported that Paul Fraim is now chair of the Mayors and Chairs for next year. “Empower Hampton Roads” represents a lot of churches. Jim is attempting to contact them. Beth Fraim is heading up the Literacy Council.

Vince Thomas asked if we should hold the next Steering Committee meeting in the same place, the HRPDC Regional Building, and how often. Jim Babcock suggested we wait until we see what comes out of the first meeting. Perhaps we should have the second meeting in Mid October.

Jim Babcock suggested we invite Robert Dean to attend the Steering Committee meeting.

Jim has received an inquiry from the editor of the Daily Press. We will brief the editorial board after the first meeting.

Art Collins reported that HRPDC will release its analysis on regional tolls on the Wednesday before our September 18 Steering Committee meeting. All of the projects are in one package.

David Clark reported on the Legislative Teaming Initiative. We have received pleasant responses to our February letters but no action. Bill Putnam has agreed to be the leader of the Legislative Teaming Initiative. Kay Kemper, Anna and others thought we should have every senator and delegate on the list. Anna will deal with the Peninsula and Jim Chapman withy the South Side. Each senator and delegate should be visited once no later than October.

Vince Thomas reported that Preston Bryant, the delegate from Lynchburg wrote an interesting op ed piece on regionalism. Vince will set up a meeting with him and perhaps invite him to an FHR meeting. Art Collins observed that Bryant is not really a proponent of regionalism. He merely wants the state to work better. We can get to him through Delegate Chris Jones.

David Clark summarized the new pattern for moving the Board Meetings around the region. The Annual meeting will always be at the Town Point Club in Norfolk. The Executive Committee Meetings will also remain at the Town Point Club. The next Board Meeting will be at the Langley Federal Credit Union in Hampton. The November Meeting will be at the Regional Building in Chesapeake. Art argues that we establish a pattern so people will not get lost. We should meet on the Peninsula once for every two meetings on the South Side. And we should use the regional Building as one of the places.

David Clark recommended that, in view of the importance of the Legislative Teaming Initiative we add Bill Putnam to the Executive Committee. Bill has agreed to join the Executive Committee if approved.

The meeting adjourned at 11:06 AM