Variety of fundraising events scheduled to fund observance
Centennial Committee Chair Jennifer Tate started her report to the City Council Wednesday by handing out copies of the 1894-1994 centennial edition for The Morgan Hill Times.
Then she moved on to the city’s centennial of 2006 celebrations and asked for $100,000.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the council will consider reserving another $50,000 (from Depot Street grant funds) to jump-start fundraising for a piece of centennial-related public art.
The art in question is a potential bronze sculpture by Morgan Hill sculptor Marlene Amerian, that would be a life-sized 1891 scene of Hiram Morgan Hill, his wife, Diana, and their daughter Diane, “waiting for the train” which is the name of the piece.
If matching funds are raised in time, the sculpture could be installed at the train depot on a newly renovated Depot Street during the centennial year.
Amerian will bring a one-sixth-size model of her proposed sculpture to the council meeting.
“I didn’t think of the centennial when I planned the piece,” Amerian said Monday. “It just worked out that way.”
The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Morgan Hill will organize the fundraising and the details, under the auspices of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation. The Depot Street grant, $2.6 million from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to upgrade the street, has a $50,000 component for public art. Amerian estimates the costs to reach $102,000 including artist’s expenses, foundry costs (bronzing), transportation and taxes.
The arts alliance have submitted a budget and expect to raise money from individuals and businesses; they are writing a grant proposal to Union Pacific, whose tracks run through Morgan Hill.
On Wednesday, after discussing where to find the money and determining that the city would be reimbursed for at least $50,000 from fundraising events, council agreed unanimously to provide seed money for committee costs to June, with the rest to be allocated as needed.
“The synergy is incredible,” Tate said, whose husband, Steve, is on the council. “We’re up and running – just waiting for money, letterhead and logo – and money.”
Tate’s committee is occupied with planning the 1906-2006 City of Morgan Hill Centennial, a yearlong celebration that will define what the town has become since its official founding Nov. 10, 1906. Even earlier, pioneer Martin Murphy Sr. settled near Llagas Avenue in 1845 and, with his family, built an empire and changed the shape of Northern California, particularly from San Martin to Sunnyvale.
Tate told the council that her committee has prepared a budget of $290,000, divided up the chores and is beginning to reach out to churches, service organizations and community groups both for help and to encourage them to organize their own centennial event.
“I have people calling me already, offering to help,” Tate said.
The first event will be a New Year’s Eve gala December 31 at the Community and Cultural Center.
Mayor Dennis Kennedy and Councilman Greg Sellers with volunteers Tate, Janie Knopf and Ellie Weston of the Historical Society; Brad Jones of BookSmart, Lorraine Welk of Gavilan College and Vivian Varela and Marilyn Librers comprise the committee.
City Clerk Irma Torrez is the council liaison and will be offering insight from the city side.
“We also have young people involved through the YAC (Youth Advisory Committee) but we need a representative from the school district,” Tate said.
Live Oak High School is celebrating its own centennial during 2005.
Bob Snow of DesignFactory Graphics is designing two logos, a more subdued one for letterhead and one to get everybody’s attention with splash and glitter, Tate said.
On tap to start the year off is a New Year’s Eve party at the community center – site of several past gala dressy events – a country fair, a statue and the centennial celebration itself and a gift to the city. More events will be announced later, Tate said.
Before releasing much of the money, council plans to contact Independence Day, Inc, (IDI), the local all-volunteer group that plans and executes the two-day July Fourth celebration. IDI normally uses the entire $11,000 city promotions budget. The centennial committee could use whatever is left from IDI, if anything; the remainder would most likely come from general fund reserves.
For details on the centennial or to offer to help: Jennifer Tate, 779-6992.
Carol Holzgrafe covers City Hall for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at ch********@mo*************.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 201.
