Volume 2, Issue 30                                                            March 26, 2004

                      To see all photos and graphics, view Weekly Update on this link:

                http://www.chillicotheohio.com/chamber/weeklyletter/weu_03_26_04.htm

 

KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED: The one-vote victory for the Chillicothe City Schools bond issue could translate into a huge economic development advantage for the city and the county. We’ll pray that the victory stands up through next week’s recount. Having a new high school and a more modern, consolidated middle school works well in trying to lure new business and industry as does keeping top-notch programs and curriculum. It also would probably change the answer a majority of people gave to the one question in the survey conducted by the chamber for the school district recently. When asked if the schools had a positive influence on economic development endeavors, 52.1 percent disagreed with the statement. Also, 71.8 percent disagreed that the schools’ buildings and grounds are clean, attractive and in good repair. And 53.5 percent disagreed that the school board, administration, staff and community work collaboratively to provide a quality education. For complete results of the survey, click here: City schools survey results. In all, 71 responded.

 

A GRAND BAB: The weather was perfect, the food great and the entertainment superb Wednesday at the Business After Business at the Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center. Gary Kreuchauf, shown at right, and his crew provided a nice evening in a venue many said they had not been in. Next month’s BAB is co-sponsored by USEC and Citizens National Bank and will be held at the bank at 33 W. Main St. Check out photos of Wednesday's BAB here: March BAB photos

 

CHANGES IN THE HOSPITALITY PICTURE: The Days Inn motel on North Bridge Street is now owned by Narmade Har Inc. out of Columbus which purchased it from CP Management. Also in some management changes, Eric Woodworth is now the general manager of the Hampton Inn & Suites. He replaces Linda Goodman who took a position nearer her hometown in Licking County. Linda was on the chamber board and was our Volunteer of the Year in 2002. Taking Eric’s place at the Christopher Inn will be Letha Greenhaw who formerly was sales manager there. Faye Wickline moves from front desk manager to sales manager at the Christopher which also includes the RiverView Conference Center.

 

EAST MAIN CONTINUES TO GROW: Tim Horton’s has submitted plans for its second restaurant to go across from Bob Evans on East Main Street. Also, another Subway is planned for that area.

 

FRANKFORT HARDWARE CHANGING HANDS: The Crosier family’s last day as owners of the store will be Wednesday. On Thursday, Dale Williams will become the new owner of the place at 15 N. Main St.

 

ROSS WORKERS HIT HARDEST: Of the 520 losing their jobs with the closure of the Thomson plant in Circleville, 232, or 44 percent, live in Ross County. Thirty percent live in Pickaway. Since 1999, Pickaway County has documented the loss of at least 2,239 jobs, mostly on the manufacturing side. No numbers were available for jobs created in that time.

 

FIVE SECONDS OF FAME: The city got some more international name recognition last Sunday, albeit very briefly. One of the main characters in HBO’s new show “Deadwood” was asked about his past. His reply was that he was born in one town, but spent the majority of his life in Chillicothe, Ohio. The show, with the saltiest of language, plays at 10 p.m. Sundays.

 

WANTS THAT LOCAL FEEL: Like so many other restaurants in town, the new Max & Erma’s wants customers to get a real hometown feeling from the photos and artifacts on display throughout the building. That’s why a firm out of Pittsburgh is looking at acquiring photos and objects that are distinctively Ross County. If you have an unusual item or photo that you think might fit the decor, e-mail sebastianc@jamesgallery.net with details.

 

GOLF OUTING TO BE SPECIAL: The special tri-county chamber Business After Business on Tuesday, May 11 at Deer Creek Resort also will feature an informal golf outing. The “Get to Know Your Neighbor Golf Outing” will cost only $25 and will be a pure scramble event. We are looking for individuals to sign up as teams will be formed at the last minute by pairing golfers with those from Fayette and Pickaway counties. The first group will tee off around 11:40 followed by others (no shotgun start). The BAB itself will be 5:30-7:30 in the resort’s shelterhouse next to the lodge and will feature food prepared by the prize-winning chef there. To register, call the chamber office at 702-2722.

 

DOING BUSINESS 24/7, JUST NOT STORE HOURS: Our apologies for last week’s notice, but Sonnie’s Sports Plus on East Main Street is physically not open all the time, just the website: www.sportsplusathletics.com. The store itself is open 9-6 weekdays and 9-3 on Saturdays.

 

RIBBON-CUTTING IN FRANKFORT SATURDAY: A tour and celebration is set for 9 to noon Saturday at the new water treatment plant for the village of Frankfort at 94 S. Main St. The project has been in the works since 1996. The original plant was opened around 1913 and had undergone several renovations.

 

NEW MEMBER: Joining the chamber this past week:

VENDORS LICENSES: Here’s who received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:

OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN NEW LOCATION: Vickie Streicher, after having been run out of the Carlisle Building by the fire almost a year ago, is now in her new permanent digs and open for business just in time for the prom season. She’s at 66 E. Water St., next to the Dock at Water. Congrats to her perseverance!

 

GIVE TRAINING AS A GIFT: The Great Seal of Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals is suggesting employers celebrate Administrative Professionals Week (April 18-24) by providing professional development and training. The local chapter is hosting a PowerPoint seminar on Friday, April 16 at the Pickaway Ross Career and Technology Center from 9-4. The cost is $55 and includes lunch. To learn more, call Shannon Vanderpool at 998-2355 or e-mail her at svanderpool@odod.state.oh.us.

 

EASTER EGG HUNT AND LUNCH: The city’s annual Easter Egg Hunt in Yoctangee Park is set for 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 10. Following the hunt, the city Parks and Recreation Department is joining with Grinders with a Touch of Class at the Pump House Center for the Arts for a “Lunch with the Easter Bunny” event. It will be noon to 2 p.m. and feature the lunch plus a photo of your child with the Easter Bunny. The cost is $10 per child. Call the parks office for more information at 772-5626.

 

HEALTH FAIR: Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Ross County District’s Health Fair on Thursday, April 8 from 10 to 3 at the service center on Western Avenue. It will include free blood pressure checks, immunizations for children, cholesterol testing, HIV and other tests.

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR:

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