**All Commissioners have been copied on this email**
Ms. Blackwell:
Thank you for your email. It has been a while since we last exchanged emails! Staff’s recommendation is for you to obtain legal counsel to ensure you have the necessary 501(c)3 information to qualify per State Statute (please click:
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0200-0299/0274/Sections/0274.05.html for the surplus property statute and
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0200-0299/0273/Sections/0273.01.html for the list of approved 501(c)3 organizations). Unfortunately, we cannot provide legal advice for you.
Otherwise, you can bid on it at surplus auction when it is available. I have a note to notify you if/when it becomes available at auction.
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Gina Peebles, CPRP Assistant County Manager - Chief of Staff County Manager’s Office 12 SE 1st Street • Gainesville • FL • 32601 352-337-6279 (office) • 352-538-8265 (mobile)       |
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PLEASE NOTE:
Florida has a very broad public records law (F.S.119). | |
From: Phyllis Blackwell <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 1:21 PM
To: BOCC (Only Commissioners) <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: Phyllis Blackwell <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Veterans bronze tablet
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Dear Commissioners:
I have been unable to attend meetings due to the current terminal illness of a family member. I would like to resubmit our chapter, Kirby Smith #202, UDC’s 501 (3) (C) information for our tax exempt status, and with our dedication to education,
we should qualify for the return of the bronze tablet with the some names of the defenders of the Battle of Gainesville. The SCV is trying to assist us in obtaining the tablet but we are
entirely separate organizations attempting to remember veterans. Our Kirby Smith Chapter has a scholarship created by late member Mrs. Albert Miller, and her daughters have served as president and current chaplain. Our young member, Sarah Jane Montgomery,
is presently attending UF on our state scholarship (but you do not have to be a member to qualify). We helped collect enough bottle caps to provide 5 service dogs to wounded veterans just as Covid appeared and we continue to collect. Our joy is providing cards,
underwear and socks, books, toiletries, etc., to the local VA , especially at Christmas time, help the Ronald MacDonald house, and donate books to the county library, etc. We have members of all races as do our “sister” genealogical organizations: Daughters
of the American Revolution, Daughters of the War of 1812, Daughters of the American Colonists, Colonial Dames of the 17th Century. Our interest is veterans, history, patriotism, education, philanthropy. Our Southern penchant for decorating graves
of family members, particularly veterans, became Decoration Day and morphed into our national Memorial Day. We want to remember the past and learn from the mistakes we made, yet remember the local men who answered the call of their government. I do hope that
we may retrieve the tablet before it gets lost in the Surplus. I appreciate any amount of consideration to our request.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Blackwell
Treasurer
Kirby Smith #202, UDC
13429 SW 4th Lane
Newberry, FL 32669
353-494-7311