Title
Consider awarding the James A. Smith Masonic Lodge as the 2017 recipient of the Farmers Branch Witness to History Award; and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
In 2011, City Council named the Dennis brothers the inaugural recipients of the Witness to History Award. This award was created to recognize long term Farmers Branch residents and businesses/institutions.
Previous recipients who have received this award include Mrs. Doris Taylor, the United Methodist Church of Farmers Branch and the First Baptist Church of Farmers Branch. To qualify for the award, an individual would have to reside in Farmers Branch for 75 years or more, or an organization would have to be active for 50 years or more.
DISCUSSION:
At the January 2017 board meeting, the Historical Preservation and Restoration Board unanimously voted to recommend that City Council award the James A. Smith Masonic Lodge with the Witness to History Award.
Considering that the James A. Smith Masonic Lodge has been based in Farmers Branch for 119 years, they more than meet the requirements for this award. Chartered in 1874, the Lodge moved to Farmers Branch in 1898 to the Odd Fellows building at the corner of Old Denton Road and Valley View Lane. In 1957, the Lodge moved to its present location at 12823 Demetra Drive. The James A. Smith Masonic Lodge has been very active in the community for many years and a number of community leaders have been Lodge members including Dave Blair, Jack Blanton, R.J. McInnish, Eugene Biggerstaff, Abe Godfrey and Milburn Gravely.
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
1) Motion to recognize and award the James A. Smith Masonic Lodge with the Witness to History Award.
2) Motion to recognize the James A. Smith Masonic Lodge with the Witness to History Award, with the following modifications.
3) Motion to table the issue for further study or take no action.