Urge your City Council to preserve and promote this Historic Site!

We ask you today to urge Columbia City Council to vote "Yes" for Hospitality Tax funding to support Collaborative for Community Trust facility operation of the Modjeska Simkins Historic Site. This Spring, the Collaborative for Community Trust applied for2007-2008 Hospitality Tax funds administered by City of Columbia;we submitted an additional written request asking for those fundsto support the Collaborative's operation of the Modjeska SimkinsCenter. This will include paying the debt that will resolve the threats to this historic site.

Columbia City Council is scheduled to vote to approve the Hospitality Tax appropriations at the Wednesday, July 11, 2007 meeting at 9:00 am. We are asking those in this community who have toured our site, visited, or otherwise support the Collaborative for Community Trust in its effort to preserve and promote the Modjeska Simkins historic site to be present at this meeting.

Please sign up to speak, and let Council know that you support historic preservation, heritage tourism, community preservation of African American sites, and specifically the work the Collaborative has been doing with the regard to the Simkins House over the past 12 years.

At this juncture, we have received contributions, but have not yet raised all the funds we need to protect and preserve this historic site. However, the Collaborative submitted its 2007-08 Hospitality Tax in a timely fashion, and our request will not require Council to step outside of their normal budget process. It simply requires their 'yes' vote.

But they need to know that people in this community care, value the Simkins Center, and want to see the Collaborative continue its stewardship, rather than an uncertain transition in ownership. Your physical presence would be the most effective. However, if you cannot be present, I have included information on contacting Council members. Please let them hear from you.

If there are any additional questions you have, please feel free to contact me. Thanks, and your support at this critical time is vital and greatly appreciated.

Catherine Fleming Bruce President

Collaborative for Community Trust

Modjeska Monteith Simkins Center for Justice, Ethics and Human Rights

2025 Marion Street Columbia, SC 29201

803-960-2079 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mayor and Council Member Contact Information

MAYOR

• Bob Coble - P.O. Box 147, Columbia , SC 29217 - 545-3075; Term: 2010; e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

• E.W. Cromartie, II - 1607 Harden Street, Columbia , SC 29204 - 254-7243, 252-2372; email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ;Term: 2008, District Two

• Anne M. Sinclair - 1898 Calhoun Street 29201 - 545-3065; e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Term: 2008; District Three

• Sam Davis - 950 Rosedale Arch, Columbia , SC 29203 - 754-0525; email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Term: 2010; District One;

• Tameika Isaac Devine - 722 King Street, Columbia , SC 29205 - 254-8868, 254-9654; e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ;Term: 2010; At-Large

• Daniel J. Rickenmann - PO Box 50734,Columbia,SC.29250; 799-9477; e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Term: 2008; At-Large

• Kirkman Finlay III - 1601 Shop Road, Suite A, Columbia, SC, 29201, 748.1090, email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Term: 2010; District Four