Scenic Scioto Heritage Trail, Inc. 2009 Progress Report
The Scioto County Scenic Byway was officially
established as Ohio’s 23rd state scenic byway on February 7, 2007. As a result the Scenic
Scioto Heritage Trail committee was formed and has made significant progress over the past year. A brief
outline complemented with a narrative is listed below.
Articles of Incorporation
The Scenic Scioto Heritage Trail (SSHT) received a certificate of incorporation as a non-profit
organization from the Ohio Secretary of State on July 24, 2007, document number 200720701064. A Code of
Regulations has also been established with a total of fifteen (15) trustees/committee members.
Non-profit State from Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
On September 8, 2009 SSHT, Inc. received its tax exempt
status designation from the IRS. Under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code we are now qualified
to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code.
We are considered a public charity by the IRS.
Officers/Meetings
As designated in the Code of Regulations, the following are officers were elected by the committee for
2009: President - LaRue Horsley, Vice President - Steve Hayes, Secretary - Sharon Mundhenk and Treasurer
– Jon Lucas. The committee meets monthly or more frequently as needed to work on specific projects.
Attendance sheets, agendas and minutes for each meeting are maintained by the Secretary.
As called for in the Code of Regulations of the SSHT, Inc. the first 5 trustees will
be completed their first initial one year term of service. Three members elected to serve a three year
term of service beginning 1/1/09 as follows: Debbie Lane, Jon Lucas, and Sharon Mundhenk. Two
new members were appointed to a three year term beginning 1/1/09 as follows: Judge James Kirsch and Larry
Mullins. Lelia Copas is to fill the 2 year unexpired term of Anna Gardner.
Fundraising
The SSHT has engaged in the following fundraising
events for 2009 as follows:
- A Beach Party fundraising event on 2/13/09 at the
Vern Riffe Center for the Arts resulted in income of $11,768.00, expenses of $7,675.00 and a net profit of $4,093.00.
- The SSHT held its
second Golf Outing on 6/20/09 at Shawnee State Park Golf Course resulting in income of $5,142.04, expenses of $1,863.26 and
net proceeds of $3,278.78.
- Halloween at the Stone House was held on 10/29/09 resulting in income of $1,020.00, no expenses
and net proceeds of $1,020.00.
- We are currently engaged in sales of the 2009 ornament. It is the Phillip Moore Stone
House and the 2nd in the series of SSHT ornaments. In addition to this ornament we are also
selling 250 additional 2008 series 1 ornaments of Project point #22, the Otway Covered Bridge. The income
from sales as of 12/31/09 was $3,735.00 with expenses of $5,510.54 showing a net loss of $1,755.54.
However, the asset value of the remaining inventory of 400 ornaments are shown in the Asset section.
The committee has completed its
second full year of fundraising events. The community has been very supportive in purchasing tickets and
showing up for these events. However, a slumping economy has impacted business sponsorships and door prizes
for each fundraising event.
Project Points
Project Point #34 – Lock #48 of the Ohio Erie Canal was completed. The SSHT
committee received a Transportation Enhancement grant for Lock #48 to provide a pull-off. The Board of
Scioto County Commissioners acted as our government sponsor and provided the 20% match as required by the grant.
Project point signs have been posted at
the following points: #1 – Kalanu Native American Cemetery; #2 – Earl Thomas Conley Park; #3
Walking Trail from Earl Thomas Conley Park to Alexandria Point; #42 – The Phillip Moore Stone House. Other
project signs will be developed and erected next year.
Sub-committees
Various sub-committees are formed and utilized on an as needed basis for different projects. Some examples
are: Signage Committee to research and recommend project point signage; Fund-raising committees for specific
fund-raisers; Grant funding committee to research grant funding opportunities.
Corporate Checking Account/Assets
A checking account on behalf of SSHT, Inc. was established at American Savings Bank.
All income from the fundraising projects is deposited into this account. As of 12/31/09 the balance
on hand is $16,235.60. SSHT holds the title to property donated by Premier Properties with an assessed
value of $3,680. SSHT is also holding an inventory of approximately 400 ornaments which cost $8 each resulting
in an asset value of $3,200.
