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Foristell Chamber of Commerce Minutes
Regular Meeting September 1, 2009
PRESENT: Robert Barclay, Linda
Ellis, Nancy Hance, Jacqueline King, Harry Kishpaugh, Laura McLane,
David Monahan, Sarah Nielsen, Ken Orf, John Pickering, Carol Powelson,
Marvin Rodenbaugh, Shelley Rowe, Allen Rone, Jack Sanford, Larry
Shroth, Michelle Smith, Sandy Stokes, Charlene Twiehaus, Mark Van
Dillen, Matt Vehige, Peggy Alexander, Ray Alexander
Lunch: President Larry Shroth opened the
meeting at 12:05 p.m. and welcomed members. Each introduced them
self and told who they represent.
Minutes: August 4, 2009 – Approved
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Nancy Hance presented the Treasurer’s Report. The
current balance in the treasury is $3,432.35. The increase is due
to several members paying their dues for this year. There are other
members that still owe. Our 50/50 drawing today was won by Carol
Powelson. She split a pot of $26.00 with the Chamber. Peggy Alexander
representing Shiloh United Methodist Church won the 50/50 drawing
for Business of the Month to be featured on the Chamber web site
for July. The winner of the EDC Seminar for July was Sandy Stokes.
Congratulations to the winners.
City Update:
Sandy Stokes reported that the City is working on
the sign code to make it easier for people to set up sign billboards
including electric message boards. They hope that Porlier will set
one up on their business site. The Planning Board will interview
three applicants for Fireworks Stands. There is interest in the
Hoods Building. Sandy is working with the railroad to improve the
crossing on Highway T. Traffic will have to be re-routed for three
days. Notices will be posted ahead of time. Sandy said she attended
the opening of the Foristell Farmers Market last Saturday. They
had several vendors in attendance although there were no produce
vendors available at this time since it is too early for local produce.
The market is not going to sell imported produce. They want to give
local vendors the opportunity to sell their produce to local customers.
There was a man selling honey, and another man with homemade games.
There was a woman that owns an Alpaca farm and was spinning yarn
for sale. It had rained earlier in the morning and a couple of other
vendors did not show up. They have a food concession stand and a
petting zoo and barrel train ride for kids. There were quite a few
people in attendance for opening day. Peg and Ray Alexander also
stopped by and were impressed with their set up. As time goes by
and they increase the number of vendors, particularly produce vendors,
the Market should potentially grow. It should be good for the local
economy and for Ed and Tami Barrieau that own Valley Farms. They
are Chamber members and we should support them.
Program:
Our speaker today was member Trevor Rees. He is the Business/Public
Management Information Resource Manager for the St. Charles County-City
Library District. He gave a very informative presentation on the
services that are available through the Library District at no charge
to those that have a library card. There are two types of cards.
The first type is the Personal Card which is issued by the St. Charles
County, St. Louis County and St. Louis City Libraries. The other
type is the Business Card which is issued in St. Charles County
only.
St. Charles County-City residents can get a card at no charge. Non-residents
are charged $80.00 which is very reasonable considering all the
services that are available. Cards are needed to obtain library
materials, use library computers, and access databases remotely.
They are not needed to use materials within the library or to meet
with subject specialists. Cards are available at any of the Library
locations. One of the services that Trevor performs is to help people
that are trying to get information on starting a business. He reviews
laws concerning the proposed business, provides information on writing
a business plan, researches the industry that the proposed business
is in, and gives referrals to outside agencies for more formal instruction
such as the EDC, SCORE, and the University of MO Extension Service,
Etc.
Trevor and other specialists offer their services free through the
Library District. There are many varied services that the Library
furnishes including reference data bases such as Reference USA.
They also furnish customer locating, demographic research and many
other business resources. They are great services for any one that
is interested in starting a business or for those that are already
in business needing help. Our thanks to Trevor for his presentation.
School Report:
Jack Sanford , Director of plant Operations for the Wright City
School District, reported that they are very busy. The new elementary
school (East Elementary) is getting close to completion. A grand
opening is planned for sometime the week of August 10th. Graduation
is over and school is out for the summer with the exception of summer
school that will be about 50% occupied from June 3 to July 2. Approximately
700 students have registered to attend. With the opening of East
Elementary there will quite a bit of shifting of classrooms between
the Wright City Elementary, Middle School, and the new East Elementary
to get ready for the 2009-2010 school year.
Current Business:
James Booth announced that the Race for the Cure which is sponsored
by the Susan B. Koman Organization will be held on Saturday, June
13th in downtown St. Louis.
Secretary Ray said that he had received information on the Pink
is Coming: Families Lighting a Fire against Cancer event that the
Wentzville Fire Fighters are organizing. Ray had a conversation
with Dave Marlo who is the 6th District Vice President of the Professional
Fire Fighters of Eastern MO. Ray e-mailed information from Dave
about the event to our Chamber members. Dave and another Firefighter
would like to come to our August meeting and give a presentation
about the event which will be held on Saturday, September 19th.
Reverend Richard Paton, Pastor of the Foristell Christian Church,
announced that they are collecting old shoes that will be recycled
and the funds donated to build water wells in Mozambique. They have
a barrel outside of the church where the shoes can be deposited
There was no other business. Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Our next meeting will be held on July 7, 2009.
Respectfully submitted, Ray Alexander, Secretary
No Board Meeting this month.
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