MAY 2004 MINUTES

May Meeting Minutes

Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce

Minutes of May 6 2004 meeting – held at the Mt. Airy Fire Hall

President Tim Barkley called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

Introductions followed with the following in attendance:

Audrey Stapf, Stapf Crafters

Steve Edmondson, Catonsville Homes

DJ Fenton, Stauffer Funeral Homes

Archie Rogers, Rogers Engraving

Billie Wilkinson, F&M Bank

Jim Bear, F&M Bank

Timothy M. Slane, Sr., Tim’s Lawn & Landscape

Jim Gill, JMG

Kaye Kolbe, Rohrbaugh’s

Tim Barkley, Barkley Law Office

Jackie Bingham, Patches Quilting

Carol Blackburn, The Gazette

Jeff Pearsall

Keir Knight, Plain English Writing & Design

Peter Helt, Town Council

Ross Levin, New York Life

Ellie Bonde, Blossom & Basket Boutique

Kerry Turner, Frederick News Post

Mike McCauley, New Horizon Van Lines

Donnis Klein, Weekenders

Carol Cahall, The Main Event

Bob Cage, Brahma Technologies, Inc.

Robert Brill, Morgan Stanley

Linda Koons, Westminster Union Bank

A Presentation was made to Linda Koons, in recognition of her dedicated service to the Chamber over recent years. Sadly, Linda has had to step away from the Chamber and she will be greatly missed.

Announcements:
The SCBA will be holding a golf tournament at Challedon on Thurs June 3.

A survey was distributed seeking member input on a variety of topics.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Treasurer’s Report: Denny Ahalt

Balance as of 3/31/04 stands at $8,161.71

Social: Andrea Williamson, Donnis Klein

Our next Business Card Exchange will be held at Lorien on May 24^th. Fall plans will follow.

Membership: Audrey Stapf

Made a point of noticing new faces from existing member companies. A reminder to keep handing out Chamber membership brochures/applications.

Government Relations: Michael Zimmer

Carroll County Chamber Report: Carol Cahall

Attended Disney Keys to Excellence program, organized by Maryland and Carroll Co Chambers, was a very good event.

Next networking event will be at Carroll Lutheran Village on May 18th

Golf Tournament at Wakefield Valley on October 1^st.

Reminder: we are a member of the Carroll Co Chamber.

Denny Ahalt is taking part in the Carroll Leadership program this year.

Mailing labels of member businesses can be bought from the Carroll Co chamber

Ambassadors: Ellie Bonde

Is still giving out welcome packets – another collection of materials will be done soon.

Advertising/Marketing: Keir Knight

Proposed motions that the Chamber buy the following ads:

Lion’s Carnival booklet - $45 for a half page (seconded by Audrey Stapf) – approved.

Volunteer Fire Co Carnival booklet - $45 for a half page (seconded by Ellie Bonde) – approved.

Gazette Community Guide – $750 for full page ad (seconded by Audrey Stapf) – approved.

A membership vote was taken for the position of Corresponding Secretary with nominations of Jim Gill and Joyce Picard-Busse. Joyce was elected by ballot vote.

OLD BUSINESS

Charity allocations: Tim Barkley discussed the distribution of monies from the Business Fair to local charities. Some money has been set aside to top up our contribution to the Elementary School but more can be allocated according to member wishes. Archie Rogers suggested the Mt Airy Net food bank. Paula Wilhelm had suggested the Pleasant View nursing home. This will be revisited at the June meeting.

Business Directory: The Chamber and Kiwanis club have held preliminary discussions to set up a joint venture to produce a Mt Airy phone directory. The book would contain both residential and commercial listings. This is an ongoing project – please contact Keir Knight or Paul Clay if you have any input.

NEW BUSINESS

Correspondence received: Included a Thank You note from Aaron Lubbick of the Mt Airy Downtown Revitalization Committee – thanking the Chmaber for its support; and from Joyce Lyons Terhes of Gov Ehrlich’s office, congratulating the Chamber on its successful Business Fair.

Electricity Deregulation: Tim Barkley reported on the continuing situation whereby business will be choosing their electricity power company (the delivery of that electricity will continue from the same company – Allegheny Power, for example). The Carroll County Chamber and Taneytown Chamber have established a co-op worth $3.6 million to negotiate a cheaper rate – Mt Airy chamber members can be a part of that co-op. A co-op has already been established for BG&E customers up in Westminster – the same consultant is now working on a new co-op for Allegheny customers.

Members should note that the Carroll County chamber executive voted that Mt Airy Chamber members be allowed to join co-ops – even though we do not have a staff/director. This is a huge benefit to us!

Councilman Peter Helt stated that the Town of Mt Airy is looking to enter a co-op. The water treatment plant uses a large amount of electricity.

Also of note: If a business does not make a decision, a supplier is assigned (most likely at the highest rate) with admin costs. This will happen after the Dec 04 meter reading. Small business are unlikely to command any negotiations on their own. There is an Aug 1^st deadline for joining the next co-op.

Bonnie Grady at the Carroll Co Chamber is the lead on co-ops. She can be reached at 410-848-9050.

A Mt Airy meeting will be held Wednesday, June 30,3-5pm, at the Mt. Airy Senior Center.

Membership Benefits: Tim Barkley made a point of demonstrating how the electricity co-op is a great benefit of Chamber membership; We also benefit from our Carroll Co Chamber membership. We have recently been sent coupons to Six Flag America; Enterprise rental cars will give a 15% discount to Chamber members under a new account set up in our name; Our new Bulk Mail permit scheme will allow business to send out mail for as little as 12cents per piece.