Council conditionally approves War Memorial as museum if voter registration moves to James Brandt Building

Councilman William Robinson moved on Sept. 16 that, contingent on confirmation from Mrs. Prince (local elections official) and the Department of Health and Human Services that the James Brandt Building is suitable for voter registration, the War Memorial Building be designated the Allendale County Museum. Vice‑Chairman Matthew Connelly seconded the motion and the council approved it; Councilmember Theresa H. Taylor cast the only recorded nay vote.

Robinson framed the motion as conditional on two exterior confirmations; the record shows council’s action was a policy-direction vote rather than an appropriation. Chairman Charles (Rick) Gooding said he would follow up on necessary building changes and asked county staff to coordinate with Donnie Hutto regarding modifications. No funding commitment for the museum conversion was recorded at the Sept. 16 meeting.

The council also discussed logistics of moving voter registration to the James Brandt Building and whether any building upgrades would be required. The motion’s language was recorded on the minutes as: "IF MRS. PRINCE AND DHS SAY THE BUILDING IS SUITABLE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND THESE TWO ENTITIES AGREE WE ALLOW THE WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING TO BECOME THE ALLENDALE COUNTY MUSEUM." The motion passed on a voice vote with Taylor opposed.