Our Mission: To Develop, Support and Promote Chamber Member Businesses and Our Community. 2010 August 2010 Community Trustees Chairman’s Message James K. Densmore, 2010 Chamber Chairman Parkland International Realty Ace Hardware BankFIRST Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida The summer months are typically a time to slow down a little, take vacation and regroup. Well, as I can attest, typical is not the word I would use to describe neither this Chamber nor its activity over the summer Bright Future months, not ever. The days were filled with preparations for expected upcoming activities of the Chamber Electric, LLC and even preparation for the unexpected. The expected were the Hob Nob, Team Building Bowling, Annual Golf Classic, Mega Hot Topic Seminar, and Small Business Expo/BAH. The unexpected was the departure Bright House of our 2011 incoming Chairman of the Chamber, Lynetta Tipton Steed. Networks Castle & Cooke Lynetta, who served on the Chamber board since 2004 and moved onto the Executive Committee in 2009, last year was elected to fill the slot of Chairman of the Board in 2011. We were all on task until Lynetta CenturyLink was recently promoted within Regions Bank to the national headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. In her new position, Lynetta is Vice President of the Business and Community Banking Division of Regions DeWitt Excavating Financial Corporation. Great news for Lynetta and we wish her all the best. This was not such great news for the Chamber. We were all looking forward to Lynetta’s leadership of the Chamber. Lynetta brought a DRB Benefits Group no nonsense, let’s get it done approach to all the activities in which she was involved in with the Chamber. We will miss her and will welcome her back with open arms, when the time is right. Fishback, Dominick, Bennett, Stepter, Ardaman, Ahlers, & Even though we will miss Lynetta, contingency planning is nothing new to the Chamber. We always plan Langley, LLP for the unexpected. We simply looked at the members of the Executive Committee to find another, qualified candidate to head up our Board. The selection was simple. Michael Waldrop, owner and founder of Blue- GrayRobinson, P.A. Cord Construction, formerly of McCree Construction, current Treasurer of the Chamber was not only logical, yet a good business decision. Michael, a recipient of the Chamber’s Sam Hovsepian Award, Florida Senate Health Central Spirit of Service Award, a decorated veteran has served on the board since 2003, with a brief absence when he was called into active service for our country in Afghanistan. Michael rejoined our board in 2008 and Manheim Orlando took up right where he left off. He rejoined the Executive Committee and Governmental Affairs Committee. Michael also worked with the State Legislature for several years to get an amendment on the ballot for this Orlando Health year’s election. Amendment 2, and if it passes, will exempt deployed, active military personnel from property PrismOne taxes while on active duty. He is a proven leader in so many ways and it will be an honor to have him as our Chairman in 2011. I am delighted to have Michael serve as my successor. Progress Energy Aside from all the unexpected changes, the Chamber has been attending Regions Bank meetings of local and regional impact (See page 2 in this newsletter), hosting events such as the Hob Nob, and preparing for the upcoming Team Building South Milhausen, P.A. Bowling, Annual Golf Classic, and Mega Hot Topics Seminar featuring renowned speakers such as Lee Cockerell. We are also getting ready for the University of Central Florida September Small Business Expo and Business After Hours. For more details of what awaits you, read on… Walt Disney World Company Keeping An Eye on Issues by Stina D’Uva West Orange Chamber The Chamber Team is keeping an eye out on local issues and in some instances taking a stand so that we may keep you informed of issues or local and regional importance. Here is what we kept an eye on in July: Board of Directors • Highway 50 Overlay Ordinance - Krista Carter, VP of the Chamber, attended the adoption hearing for the Joe Alarie city of Winter Garden’s Highway 50 Overlay Ordinance. The Chamber Board had taken a position of support regarding this recent, business friendly update to a previously adopted ordinance back in 2003. A. Kurt Ardaman The new ordinance which included improvements to set back, landscaping and sign requirements on David Billsborough private property along highway 50 was adopted on July 8. We applaud the Mayor and Commissioners of Winter Garden for their support of our business community. Comm. Scott Boyd • Orange County Public School Board Work Session and Public Hearing – Stina D’Uva, Chamber President Keith Bradford attended the July 22 work session where the subject of discussion was whether or not a proposed one mill Mayor Gary Bruhn increase in property tax referendum should be placed on the November ballot for voters to decide upon to offset funding shortfalls in the 2011-12 fiscal year. The budget shortfalls are anticipated due to funding Comm. Bob Buchanan reductions in recent years and the end of federal economic stimulus dollars. A community-wide study Samir Burshan was recently undertaken in partnership with the Orlando Regional Realtor Association conducted by SGS which indicated that the climate may be favorable for an increase in millage for public education. Debbie Clements In order to avoid the “funding cliff” and avoid academic and athletic program reductions and retain Samuel B. Davis, Jr. qualified teachers, the options would be to seek more funding from the state or federal government or Jim Densmore put it to the voters. Chairman At the July 27th OCPS Board Hearing, the board voted to put the referendum on the November ballot Rob Frank and let voters decide. A one mill increase would cost the owner of a house valued at $150,000 with a $25,000 homestead exemption $125 per year or $10.42 a month. The millage/tax increase would restore Bob Gosselin an estimated $85 million a year to the Orange County Public Schools budget. Chesta Hembrooke Visit www.ocps.net and go to School Board and then click on July 22, 2010 Millage Hike to see the Dr. Gaby Howat power point presentation and actual ballot language. Randy June • West Orange Airport Authority(WOAA) – Stina D’Uva attended its board meeting on Wednesday, July Julie Kleffel 28, the WOAA board listened to the findings of a feasibility study funded by the city of Apopka and conducted by OAC and LDI. This group was formed back in 1999 initially with the focus of locating a Star Kraschinsky General Aviation Airport(GAA) in the west Orange area, which included Horizon West. A recent study Anette Luck was conducted in the new focus area which is the southern Apopka area. The study supports the need for a GAA on three identified, public airports in the southern Apopka industrial area. After final comments Rob Maphis are added by the board to the report, the next step is to present the findings to FDOT for review and inclusion into the Florida Aviation System Plan. If it makes it through that step, it then goes onto the John McReynolds FAA where the funding would be determined. Yog Melwani Scott Michael Jeff Milhausen Dan Petro JOIN. MEET. GROW. Representative Stephen Precourt MEMBER TO MEMBER TESTIMONIAL Lynette Reynolds I am very excited about a recent chamber member experience and wanted to share it with you. I had been putting off getting an eye exam and getting new glasses for a very long time. The chamber recently welcomed Mayor Kathy Stark the new office of Florida Eye Clinic and I decided to schedule an appointment with them. David Sylvester Wow, what a positive experience it was! I received excellent care from their team, from the moment I walked Jim Thomas in. From assessing my needs and completing a very thorough exam, I was very impressed with Dr. Helbling and her staff that worked with me in selecting and fitting me with wonderful glasses. Dr. Diane Trees I have never been happier than I am now with a pair of glasses and how well I can see! Thank you very Michael Waldrop much Florida Eye Clinic!! Michael A. LaPorte, CLU, ChFC - LaPorte Financial Group/Walnut Street Securities Reach new patients you ADVERTISE HERE haven’t met yet. Reach more than 1,000 members! Take advantage of this valuable marketing opportunity for the low prices listed below. 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Kate Lyn’s Boutique SERVICE HOME WARRANTY Wayne Dannenberg Lisa Meadows Mastercraft of Orlando Buyers Protection Group Gary Meloon Jodie English PUBLIC RELATIONS Edge Public Affairs, LLC Jeff Jonasen Renewed Members June 2010 Age Advantage Latham, Shuker, Eden & Peach Valley Cafe TooJay’s Original Gourmet Jennifer Campbell Beaudine, LLP Kerri Rinaldi Deli/Ocoee Bruce Knapp Annie Katz Collison Carey Hand Funeral Pinch A Penny Home LinksCorp Dora Muffi TooJay’s Original Gourmet Diane Mattar Marc Guiseppi Deli/Dr.