Florence chamber to host meeting about new building
Florence Chamber of Commerce members voted to host a community meeting on Feb. 24, in hopes of providing some answers community members have about the new city building being proposed by the Florence city council.
At the regularly scheduled February meeting, chamber members discussed the proposed building. Several expressed an interest in hearing more from the council about the cost of the project, where the money would come from, and whether or not the council had figures on renovating any of the downtown buildings which are already empty.
A suggestion was made to write a letter to the city declaring the chamber's support for a public meeting on the issue. After discussion, the chamber decided to act as sponsor of an open public meeting.
The city council will be asked to attend the meeting. Bill Dyar suggested the chamber plan on having a moderator serve as chairman of the event. It was agreed to hold the meeting at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Florentine Center. The public is encouraged to attend.
In other business, Carolyn Savage and Sherry Soyez of Marion County Big Brothers Big Sisters made a brief presentation explaining the program and inviting Florence Chamber of Commerce members to participate in their annual fund-raiser, Bowling for Kid's Sake.
The chamber announced that the Easter Bunny would be making an appearance in Florence at Grandview Park at 10:30 a.m. March 30. Chamber members will fill eggs at the Florentine Center on the Tuesday before the egg hunt.
Dan Ludwig showed the group a photo of carved rock sign in Sylvan Grove. A similar sign welcoming people to the city of Florence would cost about $400. The sign hangs from a pole mounted between two limestone post rocks. On a motion by Dyar, the Chamber voted unanimously to order the rock sign.
Wellspring Counseling Services received its "first dollar of profit" plaque from Dan Ludwig. The chamber welcomed new member Mark Whitney, owner of Peabody Hardware, who opened a hardware store in Florence last fall.
