Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update      July 25, 2003

 

LEGISLATORS GAIN CLOUT: The two Republican state representatives who serve Ross County – John Schlichter and Clyde Evans – were given new committee assignments recently which potentially give them more clout in the Ohio House. Both were named to the powerful Finance and Appropriations Committee. Schlichter also was named chairman of the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee and vice chairman of the Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee. Not bad since it’s their first terms in office.

 

LIBRARY MAY BE EXPANDING: The board of the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library is interested in acquiring its neighbor, Central Elementary School. The move would give the library the parking it desperately needs while also giving it room for expansion. The issue was up for review at Thursday’s school board meeting.

 

COMMITTEE GOING DORMANT: The Ross County Area Labor/Management Committee no longer is functioning after losing its state funding. Headed by Lawrence Brown, also on the chamber board of directors, the committee issued a letter of thanks this week to its members.

 

PATHFINDER SIGNUP CONTINUES: Registration of participants for the Pathfinders leadership series will continue through mid-August. If your company plans to have a participant, but has not yet decided on the person, we’d like to know that information so that we can ensure proper accommodations. To let us know about your planned participation, call Jan at 702-2722 or if you have your participant, register here: Pathfinders application

 

KEEP AN EYE ON MAIL SERVICE: The move this week to send all local mail to Columbus for sorting is being touted as a cost-saving move that will have no effect locally. Tough to believe that a 90-mile roundtrip won’t have some effect. Already, some of those who have post office boxes are finding the mail isn’t posted until late morning, or about 5-7 hours later than before. If you find in the next few weeks your business is impacted by the move, let the local Post Office know and also ship an e-mail or phone call this way so we can monitor performance.

 

WELCOME NEWEST MEMBER: Charley’s Flowers, 19 S. Paint St., became members this week. Also a correction from last week: Century 21 Darfus Real Estate has offices at 18 Consumer Drive in Shawnee Square.

 

CONGRESSMAN RESCHEDULES LUNCHEON: U.S. Rep. Bob Ney will be the featured speaker at a chamber luncheon Aug. 13. He originally was scheduled in late April, but a death of one of his staff members forced the postponement. The site and price for the luncheon will be announced shortly. The luncheon is being co-sponsored by the chamber’s Networking and Governmental Affairs Committees and will be the regular monthly networking luncheon.

 

SKILL PRIZES NEEDED: Company promotional items worth at least $25 are being sought for the chamber’s annual golf outing to be held Thursday, Sept. 25 at Running Fox Golf Course. Or, we’ll take 130 items of lesser value that will go to all golfers. Just drop them off at the chamber office. You’ll be recognized the day of the outing. Golf outing registration

 

DOWNTOWN BAB PROMISES TO BE A BLAST: Two bands, door prizes from participating businesses and food provided by downtown restaurants await those who attend the next Business After Business. The Downtown Associates have a huge affair planned for Wednesday, Aug. 20 from 5-7 p.m., including a rain date of Aug. 21. The area on Paint Street between Water and Second streets will have tents and other displays from members of the group. Now’s the time to register: BAB registration

 

WATCHING THEIR WEIGHT: Applebee’s announced this week it is entering a five-year joint agreement with Weight Watchers International to offer low-calorie alternatives on its menu. Tests will begin this fall and items should begin showing up on the menus at all 1,500 restaurants by late 2004.

 

Text Box: A SPECIAL GOOD-BYE Cami Carroll, the marketing and membership manager for the chamber since April 2001, is moving to another position in the community. Her last day at the chamber was Thursday. We wish her well in her future endeavors and thank her for her total commitment to making this a better chamber, to increasing its membership and to tending to the many wishes and needs of members. She will be missed, especially since there are no current plans to replace her. ELECTED TO CIC BOARD: Bill Beatty of Hanson America (Basic Construction Materials) was elected this week as first vice chairman of the board of the Ross County Community Improvement Corporation. Bill also is vice chairman of the chamber board and chairman of the chamber subcommittee pursuing construction of a spec building in the Gateway Industrial Park. Realtor Bob Evans remains chairman of the CIC board.

 

NEW RECEPTIONIST: Amber J. Eisnaugle has been promoted to receptionist at Sunshine Tanning Studio. She is a 2002 graduate of Zane Trace High School.

 

VENDORS LICENSES: Here’s who applied recently with the county auditor’s office:

 

MAYBE NOT DILLARD’S: But definitely Dunham’s sporting goods store. That’s the word from the developer of Shawnee Square shopping center. He said the store will open in late fall. It will in the space formerly occupied by Rhodes Furniture and will feature outdoors equipment. He also mentioned that several other deals are in the works for the center.

 

UNEMPLOYMENT RISES: The jobless rate for Ross County in May was 14 percent higher than a year ago with 2,400 out of work, or 6.6 percent of the workforce of 35,500, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

 

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR:

 

 

 

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