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www.edaso.org

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www.chillicothejobbank.net

Downtown Chillicothe
www.downtownchillicothe.com

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www.chillicotheypn.com

Visitors Bureau
www.visitchillicotheohio.com

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Copyright 2008

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722

Zoning, bills and red light cameras

on Advocacy Committee’s agenda

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

With the election less than two months away, the chamber is moving to make sure our members and the community as a whole have an opportunity become better educated on all the issues and candidates. Two recent changes provide those opportunities.

The first is at the very top of this newsletter. We will post links to the websites of the Ohio and U.S. chambers of commerce that are devoted solely to the election. On both you can find information on the races for our state representatives, members of Congress, president and other candidates. Information also is available on the issues.

The second is the revival of the chamber’s Advocacy Committee which met this week. Formerly known as the Governmental Affairs or Community Development and Advocacy Committee, the group shortened its name to zero in on its true purpose and mission. Advocacy is a prime role of every chamber of commerce and we plan to keep you informed on issues that could directly affect your business. Chaired by board member Adam Halm, the committee also will keep tabs on other issues in the community and region that could indirectly affect our members.

At this week’s meeting, the committee discussed issues such as:

• A comprehensive review of the city’s zoning code. The committee and the chamber board urged City Council more than a year ago to make this a high priority. We’ll continue the push.
• A proposed City Council ordinance that would require businesses and residents to pay their water and sewer bills in less than 10 days from receipt of the bill. The requirement now is 20 days. Many businesses pay their bills once a month and this could force many into a delinquent situation which carries a penalty of 10 percent of the bill or $25 whichever is greater.
• The future of the former National Guard armory in the middle of Yoctangee Park. The city’s Parks and Recreation Committee has estimates from an architect on bringing the structure up to code and meeting ADA requirements.
• The city’s planned review of signage laws. While the controversy over political signs initiated the review, the committee will monitor the progress to ensure businesses aren’t affected negatively by any of the changes that might be proposed.
• The territorial, and thus legal, dispute between the city’s Utilities Department and the Ross County Water Company. Ensuring adequate services to existing and potentially new business and industry – essentially jobs -- is what’s at stake.
• The red light cameras. While the cameras are a reality, the committee will be monitoring the outcomes and effects of the program.

The committee also will monitor the issues on the agenda of the state and national chambers, such as health care, energy, workers’ comp. If you have a local or regional issue that you feel could affect a large number of chamber members, let us know. The committee meets the second Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. in the chamber conference room. Meetings are designed to last no more than 60 minutes. If you’d like to become a member, want more information or tell us about an issue, give us a call at 702-2722 or email us at mjones@chillicotheohio.com.

Books and bags to greet those attending BAB

At least 10 lucky participants attending next Wednesday’s Business After Business will be leaving with a copy of a book that was printed on paper made at our local Glatfelter plant. Environmentally friendly shopping bags will go to everyone who makes it to the Adena Mansion and Gardens from 5-7 p.m. Glatfelter also arranged for the usual appetizers and beverages.

If you plan to attend, we ask that you pre-register so we can get an accurate count and have a name badge ready when you get there. To register, we are using a new online form that is part of our revised website that you’ll be hearing about in detail early next week. Here is the site and when you get there, click the “Online registration” button and follow the prompts: BAB registration

SCORE branch picking up prospective counselors

Applications were handed out to prospective counselors at this week’s recruiting meeting of the Chillicothe SCORE branch in the hopes the group will grow and begin to help area small businesses become more prosperous. For those who missed the meeting and would like more information about the organization, call the chamber at 702-2722 or email mjones@chillicotheohio.com. You can also visit the national website at www.score.org.

Leadership class begins year with orientation

InfoSight was the host and site for the two-day orientation session of the new Leadership Chillicothe Ross class. The 14 participants got to know each other a little better, learned more about themselves through the Myers-Briggs personality profile exercise and toured the InfoSight facilities. The class now meets the second Wednesday of each month through May, visiting such places at the Lighthouse Youth Center near Bainbridge, Glatfelter, Kenworth, Adena, small business downtown, the courts, the jail and the Ross County Heritage Center. Steve Hummel of Transitions Unlimited! leads the class in the mornings in exercises on leadership and management.

Safety Council begins year with feet on ground, eyes on the sky

The new program year of the Ross County Safety Council, managed for more than 50 years by the chamber, got off to an informal start Thursday with a picnic lunch in Yoctangee Park. The more than 100 attending also got a chance to check out the MedFlight helicopter as well as hear about a new initiative to equip our local township emergency medical squads with equipment to better communicate the conditions of patients enroute to the hospital, saving time and probably lives. The council meets the second Thursday of each month through June at 11:30 a.m.

Short takes from here and there

• Want to get in the spirit early Saturday before the big Ohio State-USC football showdown Saturday night? The Dock at Water and Classic Brands will be the host for a live pregame show on the Fox Sports Network. The Dock’s doors open at 10 and the broadcast begins at 11. First come, first served on the seating. Giveaways will be plenty. Former OSU quarterback Craig Krenzel is the host. The show will re-air at 6 that evening.
• United Way kicks off its 2008 campaign Sunday, Sept. 21 with the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest and the dedication of the new “Born Learning Trail” at the playground in Yoctangee Park. The trail is a gift to the community from United Way and its partners Horizon, Ross County Job and Family Services and the city. Face painting, a fishing pond, pet fair and other activities are planned. For details to enter the chalk contest or other questions, call United Way: 773-3280.
• In a report out this week from the Brookings Institution concerning revitalizing Ohio’s core communities comes this recommendation: “The state should require that downtowns be given first priority as locations for state-owned offices and facilities as well as look for opportunities to expand state-operated university and community college campuses … into downtown areas.” Let’s hope the administration and General Assembly give this serious thought. And while we’re at it, the federal government, too.
• The Chillicothe Social Society is ready to take your entry form for the 5^th Annual Chili Fest, set for Saturday, Sept. 27 on East Second Street and the Majestic Theatre courtyard. The event opens to the public at noon and features kids games, live music, a motorcycle show and a Buckeye party. For entry forms and details: www.chillicothesocialsociety.org.

Apologies on our email snafu

To all our members who received multiple and old email blasts and other emails from the chamber this week, we apologize. A glitch in our system spewed them out before we could catch them. The problem is fixed.

Newest members of the chamber:

• KPC Trucking, 3175County Road 500, Frankfort, by Patti Clark.
• Park View Gallery, 38 E. Water St., by Cindy Davis, art gallery.
• Centers for Hand and Physical Rehabilitation, 68 Consumer Center Drive, by Angie Stephens, rehabilitation services.

Building permits issued recently by the Ross County Building Department:

• Alcoa, 1089 Eastern Ave., warehouse upgrades and sprinkler system, value $26,500.
• Fat Daddy’s Pizza, 904 Charleston Pike, install gas lines, $1,100.
• Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, 3508 Ohio 327, install electric box, $1,000.

Vendor licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• Cliffy’s Grill, 5108 Ohio 159.

Workshops, seminars, etc.

• “Drop the Data” national tour to educate small and medium size businesses about the risks of retaining prohibited credit card data and how to protect your business from having the data stolen; Tuesday, Sept. 16, 8:45-10 a.m., Columbus Athletic Club, breakfast served, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Visa, no charge, RSVP by Sept. 10 to Angie Bowen at 614-228-4201 or abowen@ohiochamber.com.
• “Your Employees Financial Literacy and Why You Should Care,” sponsored by Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Department, 8:30-noon, Thursday, Sept. 25, Ross County Service Center, 3 SHRM credit hours available; $10; RSVP to Cari Steinbrook at 702-2722 or csteinbrook@chillicotheohio.com.
• “Money for Small Business,” by OSU Small Business Development Center, 8:30-2, Thursday, Oct. 2, Scioto County Welcome Center, Portsmouth, $20, call Joy Bauman at 800-297-2071 Ext. 111 or register online: www.southcenters.osu.edu/benet/events.htm
• “Pitch Your Plan Training Workshop,” 9 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, Ross County Service Center, for entrepreneurs thinking about starting a business or businesses planning to expand; top prizes of $10,000 and $5,000 plus regional awards; required to enter competition, www.pitchyourplan.osu.edu