Florence Chamber of Commerce elects officers for coming year
Florence Chamber of Commerce met for a noon luncheon meeting Dec. 1 at Carriage Manor with 16 members present.
Greg Winn, new manager at Johnson's General Store, was introduced as the group's newest member. Winn originally is from Eureka.
A nominating committee comprised of chamber members Kathleen Ludwig, Ed Robinson, and Twilah Williams presented a slate of officers for the coming year. Three officers agreed to serve another year. President Joel Hayes, vice president Sara Neal, and secretary Traycee Warner agreed to retain their positions.
Mary Jane Grimmett will replace Vickie Turner as secretary. A unanimous ballot was cast for all officers.
Sara Neal reported she and her mother Judy Mills had a terrific response to their grand opening Nov. 19 and 20, of Doyle Creek Mercantile. She said they had a lot of out-of-town shoppers.
Chamber members were reminded of the annual "Breakfast with Santa" from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 10.
Warner asked for volunteers to help serve at a chamber soup/dessert fund-raiser that evening at the American Legion building.
Warner also announced lighting the community Christmas tree in Veterans' Park would take place after the soup supper. Ed Robinson noted Sue Klassen had purchased lights for the tree. Robinson felt the chamber should reimburse her for the cost of the lights. A motion to that effect carried. After the holidays the lights will be stored at Ludwig Trucking.
There was discussion about a plan announced at the November meeting to have third grade students make tree decorations, hang them on the community tree, and sing Christmas carols at various businesses.
It was noted that while the chamber already had paid for supplies to make the decorations, the school district, because of budget cuts, might not be able to send the students to Florence as planned.
Chamber members decided to have students make the decorations anyway and have community members hang them at the lighting ceremony after the soup supper.
Discussion turned to the school district's planned bond issue for an auditorium, swimming pool, and extra gym. Twilah Williams noted a countywide shopping publication had published a high school winter sports section that named USD 408 "Marion" instead of Marion-Florence while other consolidated districts bore the hyphenated names of multiple communities.
Following a lengthy discussion Kathleen Ludwig made a motion for the chamber to go on record as opposed to the bond issue. After a second by Twilah Williams, the motion carried on a voice vote with no opposition.
A final issue of discussion was to create a long-term plan for cleanup and simple maintenance of empty downtown buildings. Window displays and second story window treatments also were mentioned.
Members agreed such activities in the downtown area would make the storefronts more attractive.
Members were reminded that dues for 2006 are payable.
The next meeting will be held Jan. 5 at Carriage Manor.
