Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce
BUSINESS CHRONICLE
February 2001
Galen Bremmer, Editor
111 S. Wabash St.
Wabash, IN 46992
http://www.wabashchamber.org
e-mail - info@wabashchamber.org
phone: (219) 563-1168
fax: (219) 563-6920
February 2001
The sun had not yet come up on one of the coldest mornings in November when Kim and I left the office for what would be one of the greatest adventures in both of our lives. We joined a group of about 25 community leaders at Grissom Air Reserve Base for a briefing of the current activities at the base, and a view of what is to come. This briefing alone was worth the trip. Currently, the common misconception is that there is not much happening since the active base closure, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The military still maintains a huge presence at Grissom in the Reserve Base. In fact this presence has grown since the Air Force originally converted the base to Reserve status. The Army has also added a Reserve unit to the 434th as has the Marines with a unit from Fort Wayne. Even more exciting is the outlook for the future with the possibility of another joint effort proposed by all the branches. To further demonstrate how joint bases cooperate and work, the group then boarded a KC-135 Stratotanker for a flight to New Orleans Joint Reserve Base. While en route, we were treated to an aerial refueling mission of A-10 Thunderbolt II fighters somewhere over Missouri. Our hosts treated us to full access to all parts of the aircraft while on our 3 hour mission - a real treat for Kim and I who spent the time traveling from cockpit to boom operator positions. (By the way, Kim had never flown before). Stepping out of the plane to 70 degree sunshine made the afternoon's tour of the different wings of the base a delight. Joint reserve bases are the up and coming thing given the military spending cutbacks, and it is plain to see they work. After a free evening in New Orleans, (yes we did show Kim the French Quarter) we awoke the next morning to a steady rain with thunder. We toured the inside displays of Jackson Barracks, the superb museum at the headquarters of the Louisiana National Guard, but were rained out of their 159th Fighter Wing. That museum also gave us an idea of the potential of the Grissom museum. After a rain delayed departure, we streaked for home, full of experiences and information, landing in blustery below 0 wind chills and snow. Our thanks to Lt. Col. Gary Lockard and TSgt. Doug Hays of the Grissom Public Affairs Department for taking us under their wing and giving us a new perspective of our neighbors to the west.
MEMBER NEWS
Have you had changes or improvements in your business? Have you received an award, reached a milestone, or completed additional training? We want to know. Share these things with your chamber partners. They too enjoy hearing. Call, FAX, E-Mail, or mail notes to the chamber office.
Bob Wright, owner of BOB'S MEDIA BLASTING, is pleased to announce the promotion of Karen Music to the position of General Manager in charge of production. Karen is married to Mike Music and they have three children; Jacob, Heather and Ethan - all students at Southwood. Bob's Media Blasting etches glassware and mirrors and retails numerous gift items, all personalized by etching names, company logos, etc. Commercial and industrial metal cleaning is offered as well, using the "sand" blasting method. Inquiries regarding gifts or services should be directed to Bob or Karen at 569-9942 or Toll Free 1-877-647-7676.
Brett Wynn, an independent representative for GEIGER, was 29th in the company for the most new customers during the month of November, 2000. Geiger is a promotional products distributor which has 420 independent representatives across the United Staes and Puerto Rico. Brett can be reached by phone at 219-774-3003. Find out more about Geiger @ www.geigermall.com.
CONGRATULATIONS to Tony Pulley, who has been appointed President of FIRSTFED FINANCIAL. Tony is looking forward to continuing to serve his customers of Pulley Financial Services, Inc. with a larger staff and enhanced services that this affiliation with First Federal Savings Bank will provide. With the move of his office, Tony's clients will enjoy the convenience of these many enhancements as well as having a handicapped accessible facility. FirstFed Financial, Inc. is located at 1205 N. Cass St., Wabash. Tony may be contacted by telephone 219-563-4619, FAX 219-563-4841, or e-mail tpulley@ctlnet.com.
EDUCATION FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION, INC. has announced the hiring of Angie Briner as Executive Director. Mrs. Briner brings a strong professional background in education and intervention. She has been the Student Intervention Coordinator for Manchester Community Schools for the past 9 years. She is also a past manager for ECR. Angie can be welcomed by calling 219-982-4621, FAX 219-982-4824 or email; ecr@hoosierlink.net.
Karen Newhouse, Foundation Director, and Kerri Mattern, Marketing Director for WABASH COUNTY HOSPITAL have new offices. They have moved from the Ash Street Clinic building to the 3rd floor of the hospital. Karen and Keri celebrated with an open house Feb. 1. Stop up and see them.
Although no longer a newcomer, please once again welcome Brian Catron as the new Executive Director for VERNON MANOR CHILDREN'S HOME. He is a BSU graduate living with his wife and two children in Warsaw. He brings a wealth of experience in the long-term care industry to Wabash. He began his duties in December.
EDUCATION FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION INC. is offering a school conflict resolution workshop for elementary and secondary personnel in the area. The elementary workshop will be held March 21-22 and the secondary workshop April 18-19. Carol Horn, Director of School services for ECR is the lead trainer. Many resources are offered. Fees for the workshop are $195 per person. Call 219-982-4621, fax 219-982-4824, or e-mail ecr@hoosierlink.net for more info.
WE ALL LIKE TO READ NEWS HERE - SO COME ON, LET US KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR BUSINESS!
That dreaded GET AROUND TUIT bug got me again. Your Chamber President here, and I wish to apologize for the lack of a newsletter in January and the tardiness of this one. I took two weeks off at the holidays and have been catching up since. The process for our newsletter is that I write the articles and stories, and then Kim paginates the newsletter using Pagemaker. She then takes it to Sam and Mike at THE PAPER OF WABASH COUNTY. They have been super about working it in and getting it back to us so that we can label and insert. If we are back up Beth Miller from KATEGORIES works it up for us as she will this one. We just really got behind. I apologize to those who had articles that should have been in sooner.
MARCH 10
Shelly Neal, Chairperson of the Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, has announced the organization of a 3rd House Session for Saturday, March 10 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the Wabash County Hospital Forum Room. Breakfast will be served and the cost of the breakfast is $5.00. Senator Potch Wheeler and Representative Bill Friend have confirmed that they will be updating attendees on the status of the current long session and be available for questions. Representative Bill Rupple is currently working on his schedule to be able to attend. Reservations must be made for all attendees by Monday, March 5, 2001. If not eating breakfast, please indicate that, but register due to lack of seating.
We have received an invitation from the Marion Chamber of Commerce to participate with them in an annul event that they offer their business people. They will be conducting a Washington DC Fly-In coming in early May. This program will consist of probably a Monday through Wednesday visit to Washington DC to visit with our legislative leaders about our concerns. Meetings will be scheduled with our Indiana delegation of lawmakers and lobbyists. The group participation makes the trip more reasonable from an expense issue, and also increases the effects of our pleas. The estimate is around $600 which would include air, lodging and several meals. Is anyone interested???? If so, give Galen a call at 563-1168, and he will communicate with Marion.
Just to let you know where we are, the ad sales campaign is just finishing for our Quality of Life Magazine for Wabash County. Businesses all over the county have responded enthusiastically to this project! Thank you for your support. Now the burden is back on us to provide information to be put into the book to make it the quality product promised. If you have any specific suggestion of items to be included from our county, pictures that would look great, or items of information that would be useful, please submit them now! We must get things together quickly to maintain the current publishing schedule.
If you have been around the office lately, you have seen me pulling out even more hair than is falling out. Monday, January 22, Kim was preparing to come to work when she lost feeling in her legs. After a frustrating week in the hospital, doctors tell her that she has a bulging disc in her back. As of this writing, she is at home, having treatments with the intent of reducing this disc to its proper position. Surgery would be the alternative. Needless to say, there is no projection on her return to work. After two weeks of "just me", I am going to bring in some temporary help, so you may hear or see some unfamiliar people around the office. Kim misses you all - should you wish to send greetings, send them to the office and I will see that she gets them.
Registrations are now being accepted for display space at the 2001 Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce Home and Business Expo to be held March 17 and 18 at the Honeywell Center. This popular event, chaired by Beth Miller, is already off and running with over 40 of the 70 booth spaces reserved. Show hours will run 11 AM to 5 PM Saturday and 11 AM to 4 PM Sunday. The committee is working aggressively to finalize the many details involved with the show such as the grand prize offered, and attractions to be publicized. As of this date, there are two corporate sponsor - Peebles Realty Inc. and Cinergy. Thanks to Greg Pettit, Larry Hoover, and others working on the sign detail, you will soon be seeing those familiar pots of gold and gold homes appearing in yards and public places all over the community. As with last year, the Honeywell Center staff has been extremely cooperative in allowing us to use the facility for this event. Overwhelming public support asked to use that location again. We doubled our attendance last year even increasing over those old records of 2,000. Door prizes are being sought to reward attendees and give businesses another way to market their products. There is still plenty of room, but don't delay - early registrations are due by February 16. Chamber members can have a booth for $175 until then. Complete information packets are available from our office. Call or stop by for your copy.
The Wabash Area cCamber of Commerce Board of Directors has approved a new activity that will be a fund raiser. The chamber will be hosting a Secretary's Day Luncheon on Wednesday, April 25. Details are sketchy at best right now as chairperson Michelle Smith, Snelling Personnel, has just had one meeting with organizers. The plan is to offer the event from 11 AM to 2 PM on a come and go basis. Wondering what to do for that special person or people in your support staff? This will be just the ticket with lunch, prizes, gifts and fun. More information will be coming - just wanted to let you know there is an opportunity to do something for you staff coming.
The following is a paraphrase of a letter from Tom Donohue, President and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce.
On January 16, the most costly, burdensome, and far-reaching government regulation in U. S. history took effect. OSHA's ergonomics standard is the worst of a flurry of regulations hastily enacted as the last administration passed. The standard is not supported by sound science. We just do not know enough about musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace to warrant regulation of this size and scope. The standard is impractical due to its scope and costs. Virtually every workstation in America is affected costing business billions. OSHA is also making employers responsible for worker injuries caused primarily by non-workplace activities. Every employer has a responsibility to provide its employees with a safe workplace, but the latest OSHA rule is an ill-conceived, politically motivated, one size fits all approach.
Yes, there are new regulations out and new posters to be posted. We have had some calls in the office for the new regulatory posters. The Indiana Chamber is currently working on a revision of the compliance posters and as soon as they are available, I will let you know here. If you wish earlier notification, please call the office and I will put you on a fast list. Maybe we can even make an order out of this office. For now, I refer you to the article on CHAMBERBIZ in this newsletter under our web site and the Compliance Guide that they offer.
Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) - 300 East Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Tel. 219-439-1330. FAX 219-439-1309. Contact Larry Graham for more information. Welcome back, NIPSCO!.
Dee M. Byerly - retired from North Central Coop, Dee is currently serving on the Chamber Board and is the Public Relations Committee Chair. We welcome Dee and the many talents he shares with our organization.
WOW! What else can we say? We have doubled the number of Gold Level Members since our last newsletter. WELLS FARGO BANK, CLARKLAND PROPERTIES, AND SMURFIT STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION have all taken a step above and beyond standard Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce investment! Take a moment to tip your hat to these businesses supporting our local business growth efforts.
These new Gold Level Members join Indiana Lawrence Bank, Cinergy/PSI, and Pettit Printing. We are extremely appreciative of their support!
WHO WILL BE NEXT? Gold Level Membership is only $500 above your normal dues investment. You will receive $100 directly back in the form of Chamber Bucks to be spent at any Chamber function where there is a fee. Your business will also be highlighted as Gold Level Member at every Chamber Function. Call us to become GOLD today.
Community Scholarships
The Community Foundation of Wabash County has announced that thanks to Lilly Endowment, three Wabash County Residents will receive a scholarship for full tuition and required fees, with a special allocation of up to $700 per year, for four years of undergraduate study at any accredited Indiana public or private college or university. Applications are available from Wabash County high school guidance counselors, or from the office of The Community Foundation of Wabash County. But hurry, applications are due February 21, 2001! Pick up your application today_you could be the next Lilly Endowment Community Scholar!
The Community Foundation of Wabash County
Phone/Fax: 219-982-4824
E-mail: info@cfwabash.org
Web: www.cfwabash.org
The Huntington county Chamber of Commerce would like to pass on an invitation to our members to participate in the 1st Annual College Fair to be held Thursday, March 1, 2001 at the North Star Civic Center from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This is a little different than the normal College Fair. Colleges from throughout the Midwest are being invited to send their career development staffs to come and visit with our area businesses. By attending, you will be able to let them know just what your needs are after looking at information about their institution. You may want to recruit co-op students, intern, or college graduates. You will also be able to develop a relationship with the colleges that offer the training that your employees need. The event will be set up as a trade fair so that you may come and go as you wish. THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTENDEES. This sound like an extraordinary idea (wish we had thought of it). If you want additional information, call the office and we will forward the flyer and invitation.
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Board Chair: Jerry Banks Chair Elect: Steve Ford Vice Chair: Skip Daughtry Treasurer: Bill Foulke Past Chair: Brian Howenstine President: Galen L. Bremmer
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Ed Bellows Larry Hoover Lynn Yohe Tony Pulley Dick Rider Dee Byerly Kerry Heiser |
Glenn Lightner Brad Perrott Roger Cromer Rick Gray Dave Hunter JoEllen Lambert Joel Stein |
Topic: "Employee Retention"
Presented by:
Ron Thibos, Human Resource Director
Dukes Memorial Hospital
Location: Cinergy/PSI Meeting Room
Seminar Lunch
Sponsor:
Family Physicans Associated
Gold Members: Cinergy/PSI, Smurfit Stone Container Corporation, Indiana Lawrence Bank, Pettit Printing, Wells Fargo Bank, and Clarkland Properties
Business Before Hours: February 14, 2001 7 :00 - 8:30 am.
Business Sponsors- First Federal Financial, Wabash Engraving, Living Water & Air,
Samuel Mancino's Italian Eatery,
Wabash County YMCA. AT THE HONEYWELL CENTER
Third House Session: MARCH 10, 2001 8:00 - 10:00 AM. WABASH COUNTY HOSPITAL -FORUM ROOM
HOME & BUSINESS EXPO: MARCH 17, 2001 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. MARCH 18, 2001 11:00 AM. - 4:00 PM.HONEYWELL CENTER
SBDC COUNCLING : February 21... Call for appointment 563-1168
Saturday, March 17th, 11am - 5pm and Sunday, March 18th, 11am - 4pm @ the Honeywell Center. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW TO ENSURE YOUR BOOTH SPACE AT THIS YEAR'S EXPO!