New rail agency elects 7th board member
BY MARIE WHITEHEAD

The Texas State Railroad Operating Agency held a meeting July 3 to become the TSR Rail Authority, mandated by the 80th session of the Texas Legislature.

With Vice President Charles Hassell presiding, the group tackled the first agenda item to elect a seventh member.

Members of the newly-created agency include three appointments by Palestine Mayor Caroline Salter: Dale Brown and Dan Davis of Palestine and Wesley Holloway of Grapeland. Rusk Mayor Angela Raiborn named Mr. Hassell, Bob Goldsberry and Marie Whitehead to serve in three of the newly created board posts, all three having served on the board for the TSR Operating Agency.

The six elected Steve Presley to serve as the tie-breaking seventh member.

With Mr. Hassell serving as temporary chair, the group formally elected officers and drew numbers for their terms of service.

Officers include Mr. Presley, president; Mr. Goldsberry, vice-president; Dale Brown, secretary; and Charles Hassell, treasurer.

Terms of service include Mr. Goldsberry, one year; Mr. Hassell, two years; and Mrs. Whitehead, three years. Palestine members drew these term lengths: Mr. Davis, two years; Mr. Brown, three years; Mr. Holloway, one year; and President Presley, three years. President Presley explained that funding from the state has not been finalized.

"As soon as this is done we can go forward with more specific plans for the Authority such as the selection of a fund depository for banking, developing a budget and finalizing the operating agreement with American Heritage Railways. What we have accomplished today is a big step," said President Presley.

Numerous decisions were put on hold until these first steps have been accomplished.

Discussion focused on future grants and the possible need for a consultant in seeking these funds.

Ideas were discussed for an official transfer of the TSR operation to American Heritage Railways and also the avenues of support that local citizens can give to the new operators after Sept. 1 when AHR will be in place and ready to operate.

No date was set for the next meeting. The board did, however, give authority to both the president and vice president to call meetings.

"It will be nice when we have the early on business finalized and we can then move to fixed meetings, like once a month, or whatever time frame meets our needs," said President Presley.

In addition to the board members named, attending the meeting were Palestine Mayor Salter, Rusk Mayor Raiborn and Ron Stutes, attorney of Tyler.