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www.downtownchillicothe.com

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www.chillicotheypn.com

Visitors Bureau
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Copyright 2008

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

 City Council has an opportunity

to put one parking issue to rest

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

Chillicothe City Council has an opportunity Monday evening to informally decide to allow free parking on portions of Fourth and Paints streets. The rationale and evidence clearly is in favor of removing the meters.

At its review session Monday, council members will:

• Learn that in the two-block stretch of Fourth from Mulberry to Walnut, there are 92 meters and only 33 residences. This doesn’t include the 17 or so meters in the renovated parking lot at Paint and Fourth.
• See photos taken at various times showing plenty spaces available at all times.
• Be reminded that the purpose of parking meters is to provide a flow of traffic to the businesses in the vicinity so that the businesses can thrive and hire employees who pay taxes. In other words, encourage more business with free parking and enforce limits only when needed, such as the area around Paint and Water streets.
• Hear from a few residents who will complain they can’t park in front of their homes at times during the day, but who have spaces available within 50 feet or across the street. A few might even have spaces behind their homes.
• Hear the city can’t afford to lose the revenue from the meters or parking ticket fines. The city actually can’t afford to lose more downtown businesses because shoppers can’t find a place to park to get into the businesses.
• Hear that no complaints were made during the six-month trial period last fall when parking was free. In fact, at a committee meeting, a few Fourth Street residents stepped forward to applaud the free parking because it allowed their friends and family to park in the vicinity without fear of getting a ticket.
• Hear again that free parking in this area is a specific recommendation in the HyettPalma Downtown Chillicothe Economic Enhancement Strategic Plan. The city paid $15,000 of the $55,000 study to get this advice.

The Downtown Chillicothe Partnership is hoping council will follow this recommendation along with creating angle parking on Paint Street from Main to Fourth to give this area of the downtown the same advantages as the north portion of Paint Street. Council is reminded that there are reversible and irreversible decisions and that this falls in the former, making the decision easier.

Tuesday’s Annual Dinner in final stages

The final touches are being made for this year’s Annual Dinner, but it would be good to know if the weather is going to cooperate. Some forecasters are predicting more snow and cold for Monday into Tuesday, but our plans are to proceed as if it will be perfect weather. If the worst happens and there is a cancellation, we’ll get to local media, send emails and man the phones.

You can make some final plans by pre-ordering bottles of wine. Available for $15 a bottle are chardonnay, merlot and white zinfandel. Call (702-2722) or email us (rdaughters@chillicotheohio.com) with your order which will be ready when you arrive. We’ll be offering a cash bar that will include wine by the glass, several varieties of beer and soft drinks.

Parking could be an issue, given that classes are in session at OU-C and more than 350 are expected at the dinner. The social hour begins at 6 with a slideshow of photos from 2008 events. Dinner starts at 7 followed by the program featuring George Glatfelter II and the announcement of the newest Entrepreneur of the Year.

Unionization issue gets full hearing

The 35 who attended last week’s seminar on the Employee Free Choice Act, better known as card check, learned the complete details of the proposed national legislation and how it could affect their business or organization. The 35 made their way through out-of-town sign carriers from the Service Employees International Union to hear how the secret ballot process can be bypassed if the legislation is approved. Elizabeth Simmons and Kathleen Carnes (pictured) from the Cincinnati law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP gave them tips on how to keep unions from their workplaces. The seminar was sponsored by the chamber and SHRM South Central Ohio Human Resources Council.

Help available to keep money in the community

Chamber members with employees making less than $54,000 a year might want to make sure they are taking advantage of the earned income tax credit. These employees are eligible for free tax preparation, free e-filing and free direct deposit from the local EITC coalition. The employees can call 779-2798 to make an appointment that includes discussions on other possible tax credits and benefits. Bigger refunds mean more money stays in the community to buy local goods and services.  Click here to download a flyer to post in your break room: Free tax preparation

Adena wants to do business with you

Over the next several years, the Adena Health System plans to continue to invest in new construction and equipment, in addition to its normal business affairs. Adena is inviting local businesses to explore possible partnerships at its second “Doing Business Adena” seminar on Monday, Feb. 9. It runs 2-4 p.m. in the Kenworth Auditorium of the PACCAR Medical Education Center and reservations are required. Call Pam Ramsey at 779-7511 by Thursday to reserve your spot.

Chillicothe Day tickets on sale now

The Cincinnati Reds host the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, April 25 on Chillicothe Day at the Great American Ball Park. Tickets for seats along the third-base line are $17 and available at the Chillicothe Parks & Recreation Office at the swimming pool in Yoctangee Park weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 772-5626 for more information.

Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor’s Office:

• Huston’s Bait Shop, 11046 Third Street, Clarksburg, by Amy Huston.
• Glatfelter Family Pharmacy, 311 Caldwell St., by Walgreen.