Forney, Texas – The Forney City Council failed to pass a 380 agreement, or grant, which would have awarded the Forney Arts Council $150,000 to assist in purchasing the historic Reagin House in downtown Forney.
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During Tuesday night's meeting on February 18, 2014, members of the Forney Arts Council packed City Hall's council chambers anticipating the vote. A motion was made by Council member Andy Parker and seconded by Robbie Powers to grant the money to the Arts Council.
Council member Mary Penn then chose that time to abstain from voting although she sat through all the prior discussions and workshops pertaining to the matter. Penn is also a Board Member of the Arts Council as a director and historian.
Mayor Darren Rozell joined Powers and Parker who voted for the grant and Darrell Hobbs, Ray Stephens, and Scott Reagan voted against the grant. With a 3-3 tie vote, the motion did not pass.
“I am disappointed with tonight's results for a variety of reasons,” said Parker speaking to the members of the Arts Council in attendance. “I hope that you will not view tonight's setback as a long term detriment. I hope that you will continue to expand the programs that you have and continue to do good things.”
“This is a little bit of a disappointment,” said Forney Arts Council Chairman Robert Dobbs after the meeting. “We've made a commitment that we are going to move forward with the Arts Council and we're going to come out on top regardless of how this went, so we'll just go in a different direction at this time.”
According to Dobbs, the Arts Council has made arrangements with the Forney Independent School District to hold classes at their Bois D'Arc facility while they continue to search for a permanent building.
The Arts Council previously leased a space downtown from the Forney Economic Development Corporation with the understanding the building could be developed to allow room for a restaurant or incoming business which it did when Zanata announced plans to move into 215 and 213 South Bois D'Arc Street.
“I understand the thought that they [the city council] didn't think this was the right move at this time,” said Dobbs who also said several members, including those voting against the grant, have committed to helping the Arts Council find a new home.
Council member Mary Penn then chose that time to abstain from voting although she sat through all the prior discussions and workshops pertaining to the matter. Penn is also a Board Member of the Arts Council as a director and historian.
Mayor Darren Rozell joined Powers and Parker who voted for the grant and Darrell Hobbs, Ray Stephens, and Scott Reagan voted against the grant. With a 3-3 tie vote, the motion did not pass.
“I am disappointed with tonight's results for a variety of reasons,” said Parker speaking to the members of the Arts Council in attendance. “I hope that you will not view tonight's setback as a long term detriment. I hope that you will continue to expand the programs that you have and continue to do good things.”
“This is a little bit of a disappointment,” said Forney Arts Council Chairman Robert Dobbs after the meeting. “We've made a commitment that we are going to move forward with the Arts Council and we're going to come out on top regardless of how this went, so we'll just go in a different direction at this time.”
According to Dobbs, the Arts Council has made arrangements with the Forney Independent School District to hold classes at their Bois D'Arc facility while they continue to search for a permanent building.
The Arts Council previously leased a space downtown from the Forney Economic Development Corporation with the understanding the building could be developed to allow room for a restaurant or incoming business which it did when Zanata announced plans to move into 215 and 213 South Bois D'Arc Street.
“I understand the thought that they [the city council] didn't think this was the right move at this time,” said Dobbs who also said several members, including those voting against the grant, have committed to helping the Arts Council find a new home.