Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update    March 28, 2003

“Here’s to our troops coming home safely and soon.”

BOARD ENDORSES RECREATION LEVY: The chamber’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Thursday to endorse passage of the county/city parks and recreation levy on the ballot May 6. Over the years, the chamber has been a staunch supporter of a good program for parks and recreation, helping to ensure a master plan for Chillicothe’s parks. Proceeds from this 10-year, 0.9-mill levy will be split 55 percent (or about $511,600) to be used by the county and 45 percent (or about $418,600) to be used by the city. The county will use the funds to extend the recreation trail, give aid to villages and townships for their parks, develop the Buzzards Roost Nature Preserve off Polk Hollow Road and develop a park west of the city with ball fields and a playground. The city would use the money to make much-needed repairs to the Donald Smith Memorial Swimming Pool, develop the Coppel Soccer Complex on Western Avenue and continue improvements in neighborhood parks. A good parks and recreation program is good business and helps in the attraction of new business and industry.

ASSISTANT PLANT MANAGER JOINING BOARD: Garry Mick, a lifelong Ross County resident and an assistant plant manager at the Kenworth Truck Co., has been approved as a new member of the chamber’s Board of Directors. He has been with Kenworth for 28 years and is also an instructor in the Junior Achievement program.

AND SPEAKING OF KENWORTH: The general manager of Washington-based Kenworth, Bob Christensen, is quoted in a Seattle newspaper that the slump in the truck industry might be breaking. He said all indications were that “the second half of the year will be better than the first half.” Kenworth is planning to increase its build rates for smaller trucks, but is holding off for now on any production increases for its Class 8, or heavy trucks which are made here in Chillicothe.

RULES FOR OVERTIME PAY MAY CHANGE: The Labor Department this week proposed changes to the regulations governing who is eligible to be paid overtime for working more than 40 hours a week. The current regulations are based on a 1938 law. In a nutshell, the proposal calls for making all employees who make less than $22,100 per year eligible for overtime pay. The department is seeking input on the proposed changes for the next 90 days. To learn more, visit the department’s website: Department of Labor Home Page

KEEP OUR TROOPS STOCKED: While the war in Iraq rages on, our soldiers will benefit greatly physically and emotionally from gifts from your company and employees. The Ross County Chapter of the American Red Cross has direct access to the soldiers in the fields and is asking for donations, both of authorized items and funds to help with shipping costs. To get a complete listing of the only items permitted to be sent, call the local office at 772-2014.

CHANCE TO COMMENT ON HIGHWAY PROJECTS: The Ohio Department of Transportation has scheduled two open houses next week in the area for people to look at future highway improvement plans and to comment on them. The plans are for fiscal years 2004-2007. The first opportunity is Monday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at District 9 headquarters of ODOT at 650 Eastern Ave. The second is 10 a.m. to noon at the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission office at 9329 State Route 220 in Waverly.

NEW SHOW TO FEATURE LOCAL ACTIVITIES: “Inside the Valley” premieres on Horizon View Channel 2 on Wednesday and will feature local events and activities. This is a production of Chillicothe Telephone and Horizon View and will air every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Re-broadcasts will be on Sundays at 8 a.m. and Tuesdays at 5:30. Throughout April, the show will feature the newly renovated Adena State Memorial. Other segments will feature home improvement, landscaping and ideas for home repairs. Randy Davies will be the host. In addition to the new show, Horizon View also will air live the State of the City Address by Mayor Margaret Planton at noon on Wednesday.

WATCH FOR SCAM FROM ‘REGIONAL CHAMBER’: If you get a call from someone pushing membership in a regional chamber of commerce, be aware that it’s probably a scam from a for-profit company. The telemarketers usually ask you to verify a billing address and then a follow-up call goes over the address and sends a bill for $389. If you receive such a call, please let this chamber know as soon as possible with as much information as possible so we can pass it along.

NEW RECEPTIONIST: Amy E. Morris is the new receptionist for Sunshine Tanning Studio. She is a 1996 graduate of Paint Valley High School and lives in South Salem with her family.

WELCOME TO NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBER: Garbo’s Salon and Gallery at 9 W. Second St. recently joined the chamber. Tammy Westcamp is the owner/operator.

CLYDESDALES TO BE PART OF PARADE: Classic Brands is bringing the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales to town for the Bicentennial Parade on Saturday, May 3. In addition, the eight-horse hitch will be in Yoctangee Park Friday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students, families and everyone to get an upclose look. No word yet if they’ll be playing a game of football, though. And as a reminder, the deadline for entries for the parade is April 15. Forms are available here at the chamber.

HOME AND GARDEN SHOW NEXT WEEKEND: The annual Home and Garden Show of the Building Industry Association of Southern Ohio is April 5-6 at the Ross County Fairgrounds. A complete list of vendors and other information are available on a top-notch website: Southern Ohio Home and Garden Show.

SAFETY COUNCIL AWARDS LUNCHEON REGISTRATION: Don’t forget about the annual awards luncheon Thursday, April 10 which will feature James Conrad, CEO/Administrator of the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. The cost is $15 per person for the affair at Horizon Technology that will honor area companies with outstanding safety records the past year. Register online at: Safety Council luncheon

IMPROVE YOUR SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS: The next Workforce Academy seminar is Wednesday, April 30 and will feature Penny Walk on “Optimizing Customer Service.” It will be 8 a.m. to noon at the Ross County Service Center and the cost is $15 per person. Register online at: Customer Service registration

NEW WEBSITE: Brian Curtis is now on the web with his catering firm. Check it out at: www.touchofclasscatering.com

A CHANCE TO MINGLE, TO GET THE WORD OUT: Reserve April 23 on your calendars as a date for a chance to get to know more business people in town and possibly a chance to talk about your business. That’s the next Networking Luncheon. It will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dock at Water in the back room. More information coming in future weeks.

SPACE AVAILABLE: Petland on Hickory Street has available 16,000 square feet of high bay warehouse space. Contact Cherie French at 775-2464 for more information.

This newsletter goes weekly to more than 350 chamber members and their employees for whom we have e-mail addresses. If you have an item you’d like to include, e-mail Executive Director Marvin Jones at mjones@chillicotheohio.com. If you or your company is a chamber member and this was forwarded to you and you would like to be included in the original mailing, reply to this e-mail. If you’d like to be omitted from this mailing, reply and ask to unsubscribe. To stay abreast of chamber activities, make sure to visit www.chillicotheohio.com frequently.