Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
Weekly Update
Mission statement: The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce promotes economic and community development by addressing issues important to business
Volume 4, Issue 8
Friday, October 13, 2006
This week's sponsors:
Community Events Calendar
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Copyright 2006
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
Big traffic changes
planned before the end of the year
ITEM 1: The next time you're tooling down North Bridge Street (in either direction), you might notice fewer backups in the area of the infamous three traffic signals within an eighth of a mile. Just this past Tuesday, the signals on Bridge Street at the off-ramp from U.S. 35 and Plaza Boulevard were tied together. The signal at Marietta Road (Walgreen's) was not changed. It was a joint project of the city Engineering Department and the Ohio Department of Transportation District 9.
ITEM 2: Signals will be going up on the U.S. 23 intersection and guardrails will be installed on the new portion of the Ohio 207 connector in the next two weeks, according to Ross County Engineer Don Carnes. He said the last pavement should be put down by Nov. 1 and that while the opening date keeps moving back, he's hoping for it to happen before Dec. 1.
ITEM 3: Also expected to be completed this year are the new ramps on U.S. 35 near Unioto schools. The on-ramp-only from near Larrick Lane and the off-ramp-only to the realigned Egypt Pike is expected to greatly help traffic around the school during the morning and afternoon as well as allow people to go further on U.S. 35 without taking a winding Pleasant Valley Road through Frenchtown.
SAFETY MEMBERS REAP REWARDS: More than 45 members of the Ross County Safety Council received rebate checks totaling $127,635 at Thursday's CEO luncheon at the Chillicothe Country Club. The checks represent the discounts earned by the organizations from last year's program. Members had to attend a certain number of meetings and provide reports to receive the rebates equal to 4 percent of their premiums paid to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. The same program continues this year. More than 150 attended the luncheon which featured guests from BWC who awarded the checks. Local governments also are part of the safety council as Ross County received a check for $27,663, the city of Chillicothe received $12,039. Around the state, more than 4,300 employers received rebates of $22 million.
CHAMBER BOARD ISSUES MORE ENDORSEMENTS: The chamber's Board of Directors this week issued three more endorsements for the coming election. The board already endorsed passage of the city's Parks and Recreation levy. These latest positions come following a recommendation by the chamber's Community Development and Advocacy Committee. In the additional action, the board:
- Endorses passage of the Ross County Health District renewal levy of 1 mill for five years. This is the only source of local income for the district and the $700,000 it raises yearly has not increased since 1992. The district uses the money to provide free or reduced-fee flu shots and immunizations to children; inspect restaurants, take care of birth and death records, hold free checks of child safety seats in cars, approve sewage and septic systems, respond to public health nuisance complaints and promote healthy lifestyles among many other things.
- Urges a "No" or "Against" vote on the statewide issue that would amend the constitution mandating an increase in the minimum wage to $6.85 per hour (from $5.15), provide for yearly increases based on a formula and allow the inspection of company payroll records by persons receiving authorizing from employees, such as labor unions. The opposition is based on the belief this should not be an amendment to the constitution and that it places a huge burden on businesses that would have to maintain individual payroll records for three years after an employee leaves the business. The Ohio chamber also opposes passage of this issue.
The committee and board elected not to issue positions on other state or local issues. If you're interested in checking out endorsements and positions taken by the state and national chambers of commerce, you can visit their election websites: Ohio Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
CHECK OUT THE NEW DIGS AT THE BAB: Samuel Stephen College is using Wednesday's Business After Business to introduce chamber members to its new home in the former Horizon Technology facility on Ohio 104 north of town. The former Southeastern Business College is still operating on Western Avenue, but hopes to move students and faculty into the building the fall quarter. The BAB is co-sponsored again this year by Chillicothe Animal Clinic and will feature food from the Old Canal Smokehouse. Door prizes will include t-shirts, flowers and Smoke House gift certificates. Make sure to register in advance: BAB reservation
ADENA OPENING ITS HEART CENTER: An open house to showcase its new open heart facilities is planned by Adena Regional Medical Center on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 5-7 p.m. Head to the cardiopulmonary waiting area on the second floor.
REGISTER THAT RENTAL PROPERTY: If you personally or your business owns a residential rental property, make sure you register it with the county auditor's office. A new state law that seemed to take many by surprise went into effect Sept. 28 requiring the registrations. If you don't you could be subject to a fine and criminal record. Pick up a form at the courthouse or go online here: Rental property registration
LEADERSHIP GROUP GETS TASTE OF LOCAL HISTORY: The class started its day at the Ross County Heritage Center on West Fifth Street learning about vision, teamwork and directions then followed that with tours of the museum, Adena Mansion and Gardens and Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. The group is into its second of nine months of seminars and tours of local sites, businesses and industries.
GOLF OUTING PHOTOS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE: More than 25 photos, including one of every team, is now available on the chamber's website of the chamber's Golf Outing at Crown Hill Golf Club last week. Check them out: Golf outing photo gallery
USEC DONATES TO YMCA: A $1,000 donation by USEC will go to the PACE program of of the Ross County YMCA which will help fund membership scholarships, mostly for single-parent families.
SECOND SATURDAY DRIVE FOR WARMTH: The monthly program of the United Way of Ross County is seeking new or gently used winter clothing, including coats, hats, scarves and mittens. Donations can be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Horizon lot on East Main Street.
CRAFTERS SOUGHT FOR BAZAAR: Altrusa's annual holiday bazaar, celebrating its 25th year, is available for exhibitors and crafters for Nov. 11 in Shoemaker Convocation Center at OU-C. If interested, call Kay Lefler at 887-2867.
NEWEST MEMBER: Joining the chamber this week was JM Gardner Associates, 16 Limestone Boulevard, commercial management firm.
VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:
- Robinson's Designs Plus, 4519 Black Run Road, by Polly Robinson.
- Stylette East, 913 E. Main St., by Donna Pate.
- Frankfort Hardware, 15 N. Main St., by Lloyd Peters LLC.
- Fitzpatrick's Printery Two and More, 200 Burbridge Ave.
Calendar of Chamber events
- Tuesday, October 17: Leadership Chillicothe Ross Steering Committee, 3:30 p.m., chamber
- Wednesday, October 18: Business After Business at Samuel Stephen College, Ohio 104 north in the former Horizon Technology facility, co-sponsored by the Chillicothe Animal Center, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration
- Thursday, October 19: Executive Committee, 8 a.m., chamber.
- Thursday, October 19: Ross County Safety Council tour of hazardous materials training facility at Ohio University-Chillicothe, 11:30 a.m. Safety tour registration
- Thursday, October 26: Board of Directors, Ross County Service Center, Western Avenue, hosted by Traditions of Chillicothe, noon.
- Wednesday, November 15: Chamber Annual Expo sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Elks Hall on West Second Street, this also serves as the Business After Business, Expo exhibitor reservations