BLYTHEWOOD – With no money left in the Town’s budget to complete the various features originally planned for the Doko Park, Jim McLean is heading up a foundation committee whose goal it is to raise funds for those features, including an amphitheater, farmers market, athletic fields and clock tower.
In February, Town Council voted to give the Foundation $3,000 in seed money to apply for 501(c) 3 tax-exempt status so it can solicit corporate and individual contributions. During the meeting the board decided to add three more members to its six-member board, which includes, besides McLean, his nephew Neal McLean, Buddy Price, Beverly Frost, Bob Massa and Ken Baldwin. They also added Chris Keefer, a member of the Town Hall staff who also is the recording secretary for the board. The bylaws call for nine board members.
At the suggestion of Town Attorney Jim Meggs, the board agreed to hire a member of Meggs’ law firm, Callison Tighe & Robinson, to assist them in the application process for tax exempt status. Since the committee can only add to the park those features already approved by Town Council, it was decided to create a prospectus, prioritizing items for which donations will be solicited.
The only item thus far approved by Council for fund solicitations is the amphitheater band shell. While no firm bids have been sought for sound and lighting of the amphitheater, McLean told the board that the manufacturer of the amphitheater has given them a firm price for erecting the facility and that they estimate the lighting and sound will bring the total to $200,000.
