Yorktown Chamber of Commerce
Monthly Chamber Meeting – Awards Luncheon
December 20, 2016
Mellott Family Center
INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME: Mark Goodpaster, Tim Williams, Barbara Baker, Al Baker, Bonita Ramirez, Sarah McCord, Leslie Baim, Melissa Bucur, Pete Olson, Ed Armantrout, Keith Gary, Debbi Gary, Chris Day, Niccole Mansker, Brendon Comp, Starr Manning, Gary Kern, David Sturgeon, Ben Buehler, Stacey Brewer, Kelly Flanigan, Jennifer Groves, Roger Walby, Maureen Walby, Carolyn “Buffy” Grieves, Michael Grieves, Sarah Mahboubi, Pat Cronk, Kal Rissman, James Hilleson, Jay Julian, Todd Blevins, Mary Ann Stroeh
SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT: PRN (Pastors and Nurses) Sarah Mahboubi, Pat Cronk, Kal Rissman, James Hilleson – Quartet presented several wonderful music selections both seasonal and oldies. Group includes two pastors who serve as chaplains at IU Ball Memorial Hospital and two RNs.
SECRETARY REPORT: Approved as submitted.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Slate accepted and approved by unanimous vote.
LUMINARY FESTIVAL REPORT: Barb Baker reported that attendance at the festival remained very steady throughout the day. The Chamber booth was very successful and resulted in a large number of people signing up for the Yorktown town newsletter. Baker requested that members begin to save empty water and milk jugs for next year’s festival. Items can be brought to chamber meetings or dropped off at the Historical Alliance on Thursdays and Fridays. Baker reported that the family who provides the carriage rides will be retiring. The festival was successful and well-attended.
TOWN REPORT: Pete Olson reported that the Redevelopment Commission had the consultant present a plan indicating what the town could become and will be moving ahead toward achieving that goal. Olson indicated that the plans are available on the town website. There are several town employees who will be retiring with new employees coming on board. Olson believes they will be a great addition as the town moves forward into 2017.
SCHOOL REPORT: David Sturgeon reported that the schools are completing a successful first semester and will be moving ahead into the New Year with the transition as Jennifer McCormick moves to her new position with the State of Indiana.
AWARDS CEREMONY:
Spirit of Small Business Award– Presented by Mark Goodpaster to Chris Day – Day was born and raised in Connersville, IN and received his BS degree in Music Education from Ball State University, and his Master’s in music from Southern Illinois University. He became a licensed broker in 2001 and joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor. Day served a co-founder of Four for the Fourth, and as president, vice-president and secretary of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce. Day enjoys running and has participated in numerous marathons, half marathons, and triathlons. He is married to Molly and has three children, Morgan, Emma and Carter,
Outstanding Contribution to Education Award – Presented by Stacey Brewer to Ben Buehler –
Buehler has served in his current teaching position for three years after coming to Yorktown from Blue River. He leads numerous workshops for teachers and is always pushing to be a better teacher and to inspire those he teaches.
Excellence in Public Service Award – Presented by Sarah McCord to Pete Olson – Pete currently serves as the Town Manager for the town of Yorktown and is a runner/jogger. Olson also serves as a high school sports official. He is married and is “dad” to two furry four-legged children. Olson said, “It is easy to do my job when all the people I work with are on the same page – to make the community a better place.”
Community Impact Award – Presented by Keith Gary to Jennifer Groves – Yorktown Council for the Arts – The group was founded in 2015 to promote culture and artistic endeavors in the Yorktown area. In March, 2016, the group received its tax-exempt status and began its work in the community. The group sponsored movies in the meadow, the art piece at the corner of River Road and Tiger Drive, and is sponsoring tiger benches which will be decorated and placed at various businesses in the Yorktown area. Groves serves as president of the Yorktown Council for the Arts.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Morrison Woods Health Campus will be sponsoring a chocolate festival from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., February 3, 2017, with proceeds to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. Booths for the festival are available at a cost of $50; Four for the Fourth is up and running with Black Friday registration more than six times that of last year; Pitney Bowes office space received extensive damage due to a sprinkler malfunction and would welcome assistance with used office furniture as they rebuild; Yorktown Kiwanis is again offering assistance with tax preparation. The service will be provided at the Yorktown field operations building with dates and times to be announced.
TIP OF THE MONTH: Mark Goodpaster – Be aware during the holiday season. There are people who are being targeted in mall and business parking lots by individuals who put cardboard on the back of car windows to divert the driver’s attention. When the driver gets out of their vehicle to remove the cardboard, someone will jump into the car and drive it away resulting in the owner’s losing their car, purse, garage door opener and purchases.
MEETING ADJOURNED.
NEXT MEETING: January 17, 2017 – 8 a.m. – Mellott Family Center – Bring a Guest!