First Chamber social a fine affair
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| Bonners Ferry Chamber Chair Rhea Verbanik addresses a packed house at the first Bonners Ferry Chamber social. |
Chamber president Rhea Verbanic was on hand to greet each guest as well as to conduct the chamber's business, but it was chamber employee Brittany Kersavage who carried the night in her "State of the Chamber" address, during which she coined a new word.
Her report started out as most people expected, with a report on membership, which is currently sitting at 110 with a goal of 175 by year's end, but when she started talking about the chamber website, http://www.bonnersferrychamber.com, and how effective it is becoming (bookmarked on my computer), she made mention that though many don't know the site's web address, it is now highly "Googleable," meaning it ranks high in that premier search engine's rankings.
"Just Google Bonners Ferry Chamber," she said, "and our link comes out on top!"
Rhea discussed the Earth Day Fair, coming up April 23, and said it's growing so rapidly that plans for next year's third annual event are to expand it to two days. The timing, she said, purposely coincides with several other local events ... Shred Day at Panhandle State Bank, the opening day of the Bonners Ferry Farmer's Market, a book signing at Bonners Books by Mark and Delia Owens promoting their new book, "A Walk on the Wild Side," and live music at Papa Byrd's.
With so much interest in all that's going on, she said, a number of local merchants will keep their doors open until 7 p.m. on the Eve of the fair.
She also announced that this year's Crazy Dayz festivities will take place on Saturday, July 23, the week following the Bonners Ferry Swish.
The meeting was then opened to comments from the audience, and school board chair Melanie Staples made an impassioned plea for people in the county to make arrangements to get out and cast their vote for the M&O levy May 19, and to encourage everyone to attend the school district public meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Becker Auditorium, where not only school officials will speak on why passage of the levy is essential to our public schools, but local elected officials and community leaders will speak on why passage is essential to our community as well.
That meeting will be broadcast live on http://boundarycountylive.com.
She closed her comments by saying that there is much misinformation and innuendo rampant in the community regarding School District 101 in general and the levy in particular, all of which could be easily dispelled if only people would ask, and by saying that school board members would be willing to talk to any local group or citizen to answer questions and address concerns.
Her effort was greeted by a big round of applause, and set the stage for what was to come.
Jennifer Durban, owner of Bonners Books with her husband, John O'Connor, spoke of how often people have come into the store, asking for donations for various causes, and announced that this year, a new policy has been set in recognitioin of the importance of this county's public schools.
"John has been in business in this community for 25 years," she said, "and I can't begin to imagine how much he's donated in support of this community. It seems like we're being asked to contribute money or donations-in-kind at least three times a week. We appreciate giving back to our community and supporting good causes, but this year, our policy is to only give to those organizations that support and promote public education in our community."
Dave Walter, President of the local branch of Panhandle State Bank, added emphasis.
"Our economy is in crisis," he said. "At the local level, it's critical, and our economy here depends on sound local schools. They are vital to our community."
Boundary County economic development specialist Mike Sloan reinforced the message.
"We're trying to improve the business climate here, and attract new businesses so we have a place to work," he said. "There are two things businesses look at when they're looking at bringing people here; good hospitals and good schools. We have a great place here, but without those two elements, businesses are going to look elsewhere. Who wants to hire workers in a place where they can't be assurred that their kids will get a great education?"
He then introduced the featured guest for the evening, Mary Willeford, a dynamo who spoke on, "You Call That Customer Service?"