10/8/13 Mullica Meeting Presentation

Below is a presentation given during the public discussion segment at the 10/8/13 Mullica Township Committee Meeting.
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Good Evening, my name is Louise Mazetiz.  I am a lifetime resident of Mullica Township.

I am here before you as a spokesperson for the historical society and the people of Mullica.

As an active member of our fledgling historical society, we all know well how important it is to 
record and preserve our history for future generations.  All successful historical societies have
one thing in common--- a museum to display and preserve the history of the people and events
of their community.  Our society has been trying to find a location to serve as a museum.

Last year we went before the Mullica School Board and asked permission to use the vacant 
Hilda Frame School facility in Nesco for a museum and community center. We proposed that
we would assume all operating expenses and maintenance.  They felt that it was a worthwhile endeavor to benefit the people of Mullica and gave us verbal approval.

During our cost study, we determined that the school board spent approximately three
thousand dollars a year for fuel and lighting during the last few years of operation.  This then became our operating cost target.  We presently have about five hundred dollars in our bank 
account and twelve hundred dollars in pledges payable upon final approval.  We also ask that
the township contribute $1,500 per year to this project.  This amounts to just pocket change per household and dwarfs the amount that is spent on our younger population.  This project will
benefit those that have been paying into the system for most of their lives.

We sincerely believe that once the facility is open, it will become self-sustaining.  We
understand that a number of grants will be much more accessible having an operating museum
and a dedicated senior center.  We intend to generate necessary funding through grants,
fund raisers, membership fees and donations.  We plan to maintain the facility through
volunteerism and donations.  Our historical society has a structured organization that includes a
chairman, co-chairman, treasurer and secretary.  We are prepared to begin managing the 
operation of the facility and welcome anyone willing to help.

When the word circulated throughout Mullica that we were working on developing a museum
and community center, we received only positive responses and excited anticipation.  This
project will benefit all segments of our society and will reduce some of our tax burden. This is a
rare opportunity that may pass forever.  Because this opportunity may be slipping away, we ask
that you make a decision tonight to fund the matching $1,500 operating cost and agree to 
develop the resolution required for the school board to move forward on this worthy project;
the people of Mullica recognize this rare opportunity and are expecting with excitement to
have a historical museum and community center that is long overdue. 
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