EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Report on the Use of Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds April 1, 2009 -June 30, 2009(3rd Quarter 2008 - 2009)

Name of Organization : Concordia Heritage Association, Inc. (non -profit 501 c 3) President : Patricia Bevel Kiddney Address and Telephone of President : 10024 Eastridge, El Paso, 79925; 915 519 -2326. e -mail [email protected] Address of Organization : P. O. Box 3153, El Paso, Texas 79923.

Name of Activity : Preservation, restoration an d beautify historic Concordia Cemetery as tourism site.

Dates of Activities/events : 1. Preservation efforts of removing 52 acres of weeds and grass in partnership with Corrections and Community Supervision Dept’s County Probationers/Community Service. 2. April 4, 2009 – Italian American Society – 40 attendees. 3. April 4, 2009 – Paso Del Norte Paranormal Society Cemetery Ghost Tour – 38 attendees. 4. April 8, 2009 – 31 st CSH Fort Bliss Army Cemetery tour – 75 attendees. 5. April 15, 2009 – Memorial Monument 15 attendees. 6. April 16, 2009 - Concordia Heritage Association Board meeting – 15 attendees. 7. April 14, 2009 – Women’s Dept. of El Paso Chamber of Commerce – 40 attendees. 8. April 16, 2009 – Las Amigas, 16 attendees 9. April 11, 2009 – Americ an Association of University Women – 20 attendees. 10. April 16, 2009 – Daughters of Republic (DAR) – 37 Attendees 11. April 12, 2009 – El Paso County Historical Commission – 17 attendees. 12. April 20, 2009 - Gadsden Retirees – 17 attendees. 13. April 22, 2009 - Cath edral High School History Students – 70 attendees . 14. April 23, 2009 - Franklin Mountain Rotary – 13 attendees. 15. April 28, 2009 – Paso Del Norte Paranormal Society manufactured and installed 50 wooden crosses - 25 attendees. 16. April 29, 2009 – Buffalo Soldier Memorial Monument – 15 attendees. 17. May 1, 2009 – Eastwood Middle School Tour of Cemetery – 114 attendees. 18. May 4, 2009 – Harvey Girls , 8 attendees. 19. May 8, 2009 – El Paso Corral of Westerner, 35 attendees.

1 20. May 8, 2009 – Paso del Norte Paranormal Society cem etery ghost tour for KLAQ Radio, live broadcast – 13 attendees. 21. May 9, 2009 – Paso del Norte Paranormal Society cemetery ghost tour – 25 attendees. 22. May 17, 2009 – Dolly Dingle Tea Party at Burgess House – 125 attendees. 23. May 13, 2009 – Buffalo Soldiers Mem orial Monument – 15 attendees. 24. May 14, 2009 – El Paso’s Spirit of Amigo, 200 attendees. 25. May 14, 2009 – International Sargents Major Academy – 300 attendees. 26. May 12, 2009 – El Paso County Historical Commission – 30 attendees. 27. May 18, 2009 – Gadsden Retirees (Gadsden, N.M.) 17 attendees. 28. May 20, 2009 – Best of El Paso (Concordia Cemetery nominated as Best Place to Take Out of Visitors) – 1350 attendees. 29. May 21, 2009 – Concordia Heritage Association – 10 attendees. 30. May 25, 2009 – Memorial Day at Concordi a – 17 attendees. 31. May 26, 2009 – Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Monument – 15 attendees. 32. May 24, 2009 – News coverage in Diario de El Paso – circulation unknown. 33. May 31, 2009 – News coverage in Diario de Juarez, Mexico – circulation unknown. 34. May 27, 2009 – Tex as State Crimestoppers - 225 attendees. 35. May 30, 2009 – Encaustic Art Studio – 65 attendees. 36. June 4, 2009 – Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Monument – 15 attendees. 37. June 6, 2009 – White Oaks, – 100 attendees 38. June 6, 2009 – Paso del Norte Paranormal So ciety cemetery ghost tour benefiting Buffalo Soldiers Monument – 60 attendees. 39. June 8, 2009 – Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Monument groundbreaking ceremony – 160 attendees, media coverage from , Ft. Bliss Monitor, KFOX, KTSM, KVIA, Channel 26. 40. Ju ne 8, 2009 – El Paso County Historical Commission – 20 attendees. 41. June 9, 2009 – Las Amigas at Texas Groundworks – 31 attendees. 42. June 11, 2009 – Texas Groundworks – 300 attendees. 43. June 9, 2009 – El Paso Ghost video (featuring Concordia) shown on KCOS – rea ching New Mexico and far West Texas. 44. June 14, 2009 – El Paso Ghost video (featuring Concordia) shown on KCOS – reaching New Mexico and far West Texas. 45. June 15, 2009 – El Paso Ghost video (featuring Concordia) shown on KCOS – reaching New Mexico and far Wes t Texas. 46. June 13, 2009 – Mt. Franklin Rotary – 30 attendees 47. June 18, 2009 – National Society Arts and Letters – 12 attendees.

2 48. June 20, 2009 – Monte Vista, 52 attendees. 49. June 16, 2009 – Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Monument – 15 attendees. 50. June 18, 2009 – Conc ordia Heritage Association – 8 attendees. 51. June 19, 2009 – Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast – 150 attendees. 52. June 20, 2009 – Juneteenth Picnic – 150 attendees. 53. June 20, 2009 – Paso del Norte Paranormal Society on KCOS, focus ghost tours at Concordia Cemetery. 54. Ju ne 26, 2009 – Paso del Norte Paranormal Society , Community Scholars cemetery ghost tour – 11 attendees. 55. June 27, 2009 – Paso del Norte Paranormal Society on KCOS, focus ghost tours at Concordia cemetery. 56. June 30, 2009 – Buffalo Soldier Memorial Monument – 15 attendees. 57. April – May, 2009 responded to interest cards from True West Ads – 300 responses by CHA. 58. May – June , 2009 – PSA spot on Time Warner Cable advertising El Paso Pride, showcasing Concordia Cemetery.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds Requested : $55,000.

Hotel Occupancy Tax Funds reimbursed : $20,841.93 ($16,523.04 pending reimbursement)…..$37,370.97 spent YTD.

Activity outcome/scope of work : 1. Cleared weeds, debris, trimmed trees and shrubs. 2. Repaired internal roads. 3. Repaired damaged and vand alized headstones. 4. Cleared weeds from Chinese Cemetery. 5. Monitored security patrol service for Cemetery at night, includes closure of five (5) gates 8 p.m. – 7 a.m. (Yandell, Boone, Gateway West, Masonic and Oddfellow) and random patrols. Security service reported numerous activities, filed Police Reports when necessary. 6. Vandalism reported carloads of individuals trying to gain entrance after hours ongoing. 7. Vandalism regarding cult items left at various spots in Cemetery – cleaned up animal remains and ot her items. 8. Conducted GPR at existing Buffalo Soldier Monument. 9. Conducted GPR at alternate site near French section and Stevens wall to Oddfellow fence. 10. Watered trees, shrubs throughout Cemetery. 11. Secured donations through performances, presentations, repor ts, tours. 12. Publicity and advertising through website, local radio, newspaper and television, plus international magazine. 13. Responded to approximately 300 inquiries from True West magazine.

3 14. Continued dialog for completion of Grave locator signs in all area s of Cemetery. 15. Finalized installation of U -Are Here Tourism signs at entrance of Masonic/Concordia gate. 16. Trimmed wind -damaged trees. 17. Installed curbing at area where excessive vehicle parking damaged headstones (near Baby Crib area) 18. Discussed proposed P agoda in Chinese Cemetery with Chinese Benevolent Society 19. Provided water Wednesday and Saturday mornings during Probation workers hours at Yandell and Gateway West water meters. 20. Used heavy drag to smooth out ruts in internal roads. 21. Continued facilitation of Buffalo Soldier Memorial Monument project with Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, Fort Bliss, West Texas Community Supervisors and Corrections Department, G & H Monument, Donnie W. Brown Chapter of Buffalo Soldiers, El Paso Ground Radar, El Paso County H istorical Commission, Texas Historical Commission . 22. Facilitated round breaking June 8, 2009; (dedication of November 11, 2009) for 42 memorial honoring documented Buffalo Soldiers who served in 9 th & 10 th Cavalry, 24 th and 25 th Infantry in U.S. Army. Lev eled ground, set up (and took down) canopies, chairs, provided transportation service to site. Provided ice water to attendees. 23. Landscaping project on Boone Street was started and completed, involved removal of all the old rock that was overridden with sand and weeds (4 inches). Replaced new landscaping fabric, primary screening and red rock (Yandell to Gateway West). 24. Completed curbing in front of Chinese Cemetery. Landscaping was vanished by leveling, removing seed and weeds, laying landscaping fabric, placing 4 inch layer of primary screening and topped off with 1 inch gray gravel. 25. Planted several Blue Sage plants through out the cemetery. 26. Pruned all trees along Yandell Street. 27. Removed tons of sand from wall on Yandell and Boone sides; several grave mar kers were found previously covered by windblown sand. 28. Outside perimeter on Stevens, Yandell, Boone and Gateway West were swept and cleaned twice weekly; trash cans inside cemetery were emptied, bags replaced. 29. Removed several tons of trash and weeds from Ce metery area. 30. Sprayed for weed control (once weekly) 31. Replaced or repaired broken/damaged wooden benches. 32. Cleaned up debris of broken cement benches, 33. Removed graffiti along French Wall. 34. Continued drawings for rockwall around existing storage container. 35. Facil itated plans for Buffalo Soldier Memorial Monument . 36. Initial planning begun for cover of storage container.

4 37. Ongoing plans for improved ventilation inside storage container. 38. Filled in several graves with sand, leveled same. 39. Opened communication with variou s tour groups to find ways to measure tours, visitors, etc.

Description of impact of advertising plan and how it was measured : 1. Provided tourism programs promoting the Cemetery to schools, civic and community organizations, out of town tourists and region al living history functions to approximately 4213 this quarter (YTD October 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009 totals 10,091 individuals). 2. Provided on -site tours of cemetery to visitors, schools, and out of town tourists. 3. Researched approximately 35 inquiries for burials location in the cemetery from local, regional, out -of -state inquiries (California, Texas, Mexico, New Mexico, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, , Nebraska). Responded to genealogy requests. 4. Published and mailed monthly Grave Concerns Newsletter April, May and June 2009 to local and out of area members. 5. Secured donations through programs, performances, tours, dues, research, ghost tours, Walk Through History event. April 1 – June 30 2009 $ 3513. (YTD totals October 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009 $13,042) 6. Promoted Concordia Cemetery and El Paso history this quarter to 4213 individuals (YTD totals October 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009 10,091.)

Number of location of hotel nights activity or event generate – 225 attendees of Texas Crimestoppers at Wymdam Hotel 4 nights (May 26 -29).

How were hotel bookings calculated and verified : See above.

Activity or event partners : 1. West Texas County Probationers contributed hours working two days a week/four hours a day - April 1, 2009 – June 30, 2009 , Approximately 75 -100 each work period . 2. True West Magazine advertising circulation pending. 3. Leon Metz, Border Group, El Paso Saddlery, Classic Old West, Bowen Ranch, Flynn & Associates, Shady Lady Storytellers, Six Guns & Shady Ladies, El Paso County Historical Commission, San Elizario Desperados, Victory Warriors Drill and Dance Team, Zoomer Roberts & Buddy Winston, Mark Best’s Texas Fiddlers, Cliff Seamon’s Cowboy Church Band, Fort Bliss Museum, El Paso County Historical Society, Museum of History, Border Patrol Museum, Magoffin House, Museum of Archeology, El Paso Community College students, Lincoln Middle School students, Girl Scout Troop #363, El Paso County Sheriff’s Posse, El Paso Independent School District, Bob Soltis’ Flags Over America, Pan American Round Table, Society of Military Widows, Pioneer Association, El Paso Jr. Women’s Club, L & J Restaurant, Discover El Paso, Sorelle’s, Mesa

5 Roffler, Around & About Tours, Savage Oil, Desert Hills Garden Club, Preceptor Omega, El Paso Saddlebl anket, Niland Company, Your Image Boutique, Amigo Restaurant, Capstone Productions, C. Kitchen’s Mary Kay, Cobweb Mercantile, Debbie’s Bloomers, Del Norte Chemical, Roncalli Four, L&J Café, Su Casa Restaurant, McRae Auto Care, Sunset Grocery, Collectibles, Cabootz, Specialty Salons, plus individuals Fry family, Mattersdorff family, Mayfield family, G. Amparan, C. Boone, H. Brown, R. Ceballos family, K. Smith, L. Preston, B. Sargent family, B. Phillips, J. Collins, D. Elder, P. Kiddney, G. Lewis, C. Bone, N. Frye, Fort Bliss Equal Opportunity Department, El Paso Women’s Club, Gadsden Retired Teachers Association, Texas Army National Guard, Region 19 Head Start, Texas Historical Society, Customs and Border Patrol Homeland Security, Gen. John Oblinger, Mary Jo Melby, La Tuna Federal Prison, Chinese Benevolent Society, K. Hudnall Ghost Tours, 98 th Bomb Group/Wing Veterans., Texas Council of Social Studies, Daughters of Republic of Texas Chapter, Open Door Church, Western Hills Middle School, Friends hip Club of St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Southwest Paranormal Group, Eastwood Middle School, Southwest Region of Exchange Group, 557 th Ordance Veterans of WWII, Pod of the Pass, Beta Sigma Phi Laureat Chapter., Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, Donnie Brow n Buffalo Soldiers, Western Hills Elementary School, Upper Valley Lions Club, UTEP’s Prospector, G&H Granite, UTEP’s Black History class, Fort Bliss CSH.

Source, amount and in -kind donations detailed : 1. Concordia Heritage Association does not have a paid staff to carry out the goals of the association. Volunteers perform all planning, meetings, reports, activities and fund raising events, donating approximately 5,000 hours annually. Board Meetings are held monthly except December, 3 rd Thursday. 2. Fund rais ers such as tours, performances, donations, dues,research, ghost tours, income this quarter: ($3513) YTD total: October 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009 amounts to $13,042. 3. See items (5) and (6) of Impact of Advertising as well as item (2) of Activity or Event Partners for some of sources and donations. 4. West Texas County Probationers recap of community service hours and in -kind donations : YTD October 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009 total 45,067 man hours, in kind $295,188.85.

Respectfully submitted:

Patricia B. Kiddney, President June 30, 2009

File: PBK.CHA.HOTX3rd09.doc

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