FERRIDAY, La. – Town of Ferriday and Chamber of Commerce officials are working this week to form a nonprofit corporation to handle publicity for the planned Delta Roots Music Museum.

The organization also will serve as a vehicle for the museum to receive donations of money or artifacts but would not own or operate the museum, Town Attorney Anna Brakenridge said at Monday’s chamber meeting.

This type of foundation is an asset to the museum because the foundation is not subject to state bid laws and other &uot;red tape,&uot; said Warren Ponder, an official of the Secretary of State’s Office who is working with Ferriday on the museum project.

Some renovations to the 60-year-old former post office, including painting and floor work, were completed with the help of a $40,000 grant the chamber received in September from the State Association of Museums.

Local leaders are working to secure another grant to help revamp lighting in the building.

In other development news, Mayor Glen McGlothin said town officials are discussing the possibility of placing a new Ferriday fire station in one end of the Pasternack building on First Street. The building was donated to the town by the Pasternack family last month.

The rest of the building, which extends from Louisiana Avenue to Texas Avenue, could still be used for a mini-mall, McGlothin said. He said it is unlikely that any of the property will be used for apartments.

&uot;It could take us a couple of years to do, but we can at least get started,&uot; he said, referring to the task of renovating the building and attracting businesses and other developments there.

Chamber members Charles Bell, Lynette Tanner and Chris Vaughan were named Monday to serve on a committee that will work to find uses for the building.

Also in Monday’s meeting, it was announced that:

De Rice will serve as chamber president for 2001. Vaughan presided over his last chamber meeting Monday.

Ferriday will hold judging for its Christmas lighting contest at 6 p.m. Dec. 13.

Winners will be named in four categories: traditional, children, religious and contemporary.