FOCUSoonnApril 2014 Mission: To promote business, tourism and civic responsibility. 70+ Years of Service CHAMBER MEMBER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS On March 13, 2014, Governor Jack Markell spoke to the Chamber Membership at the General Membership Meeting held at Kings Creek Country Club. The Governor discussed issues impacting the business community and promoted economic growth in Delaware. Topics also included the proposed gas tax and where the revenue stream would flow. DelDOT Secretary, Shailen Bhatt provided an Keith Martin & Governor Markell Shailen Bhatt update on ongoing and future road projects. Longtime Board Member and Former Chairman Recognized Kay Wheatley was recognized for her 20+ Years of Service on the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Pictured below is Kay receiving a tote bag from current Chairman, Keith Martin. The bag is monogrammed with the phrase "Carried the Load". Kay Wheatley & Keith Martin Upcoming General Membership Meetings April 22 with US Senator Chris Coons May 13 with Alan Levin, DE Economic Development Office Delaware’s newest talk radio station Reach Vacationers & Locals while they drive to the Beach!! Start Advertising Today! For More Information Call 302-422-7575 Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center 2014 Upcoming Calendar “The Nation’s Summer Capital” P.O. Box 216 · 501 Rehoboth Avenue DATE .. MEETING or EVENT ........... TIME/PLACE Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971-0216 302-227-2233 · 800-441-1329 Apr 21 ..... City of Rehoboth Beach Meeting ...... 9 am/Commissioners Room Member Hotline · 302-227-6446 Fax · 302-227-8351 Apr 22 ..... General Membership Meeting .......... 12 noon/Kings Creek CC [email protected] Guest Speaker - Sen. Coons with Green Force & YP's Group www.Beach-Fun.com May 13 .... General Membership Meeting .......... 12 noon/Kings Creek CC Chairman of the Board .................. Keith Martin Guest Speaker - Alan Levin of DE Economic Devel. Office First Chair ........................................ Paul Kuhns Second Chair .................................... Jay Becker May 14 .... Exec. Board of Directors Meeting ...... 10:30 am/Jake's Seafood, Rt. 1 Third Chair/Treasurer ....... Steve Montgomery May 14 ...... Board of Directors Meeting ....................... 11:30 am/Jake's Seafood, Rt. 1 Immediate Past Chair .................... Matt Turlinski May 10 .... Town of Dewey Beach Meeting ........ 9 am/Lifesaving Station Board of Directors Marvin Carney Scott Swingle May 16 .... City of Rehoboth Beach Meeting ...... 7 pm/Commissioners Room Jerry Esposito* Rachel Webster* Chip Hearn Chris Weeks For more Resort Area Events, visit www.Beach-Fun.com Bill Klemkowski Kay Wheatley Dale Lomas Susan Townley-Wood Rob Marshall Vicki Tull 2014 Business After Hours Michael Meoli *At Large Directors Kyle Morgan Members are invited to attend monthly Business After Hours! These mixers are a great opportunity to meet and network with your fellow Members. Each event CEO/President .......................Carol Everhart runs from 5-7 PM. A $1.00 donation is collected at the door which creates the Legal Counsel ......................... John M. Murray pot for the 50/50 raffle. Business card drawings are held and door prizes are Legal Counsel .................................. Jay Becker given out to the lucky winners! Legislative Consultant ..................... Mark Lally Thursday, May 15 · Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Rehoboth Thursday, June 19 · Ivy Chamber Staff Contact Information Visitors Center Staff ...............................Ext. 0 Thursday, July 17 · Nassau Valley Vineyards Katie Bragg, Sue Krick, Susan Maclary, Daria Rowe Thursday, September 18 · Dos Locos Kate Bell, Events .................................. Ext. 11 Carol Everhart, President/CEO ................ Ext. 13 Thursday, October 9 · Cilantro Joy Kidd, Administration .......................... Ext. 14 Thursday, November 20 · Atlantic Sands Hotel Patty Burkentine, Membership ......................... Ext. 15 Meghan McCalley, Finance/Marketing ......... Ext. 16 Thursday, December 11 · Bethany Blues, Lewes Linda Mills, Administration .........................Ext. 18 Elsa Muñoz, Distribution ...........................Ext. 25 Coupon Book a Great Success! © 2014 Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center. The information printed in this newsletter is true to the best of our Thanks to the 80 Members knowledge at the time of print. Shell Out who helped make the first Less! Chamber Coupon Book a FREE Beach 80 Coupons Inside! SELL-OUT! The free Coupon Books will be available at the Visitors Center and placed in Realtor Bags begin- ning Memorial Day weekend! All Members will be mailed a Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center Coupon Book & Dining Guide. www.Beach-Fun.com 2 Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center April 2014 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE from Mark Lally M.S. Lally & Associates Governmental Affairs & Consulting SB 6 Minimum Wage, January 30, 2014. Increased the state’s The water tax would differ for large residential properties and minimum wage to $8.00 per hour effective July 1, 2014, and to multi-family sites; they could be assessed as high as $25,000 $8.75 per hour July 1, 2015. (signed into law) annually for the large commercial or industrial properties. This plan would automatically increase the tax each year for inflation. Gov. Markell is proposing a Statewide Infrastructure Fund (proposed, no legislation yet) by raising Gas tax 10 cents a gallon and borrowing $50,000,000 a year for a total of $100,000,000 a year to address our failing HS 1 for HB 60. An act to amend Title 4 of the Delaware infrastructure and creating jobs. (proposed, no legislation yet) code relating to alcoholic beverage control licenses and taxes, and direct purchasing and shipment of wine. Workers Compensation Rates. The Insurance Commissioner approved a 11.7 % increase in the residual market and a 14% in This bill would permit wine producers holding a valid license the voluntary market, retro-active to December 1, 2013. Down in this State or another state to obtain a license and ship wine from the original proposal of over 43%. directly to Delaware consumers so long as it is done through a common carrier with a “Carrier Permit”. The bill requires the Gov. Jack Markell proposed an $800 million program to clean payment of taxes and obtaining the signature of a person 21 Delaware waterways, curb storm water runoff and flooding, and years of age or older before delivery of the wine..... protect drinking water. He intends to fund this with a statewide tax that would cost most homeowners approximately $45 a year. To see the complete details on HB 60 and a complete The governor's plan relies on new proposed taxes for property own- legislative update, visit www.Beach-Fun.com. Click on ers, which would generate $30 million annually, and $60 million site index then scroll and click on Legislative Information. each year in new state borrowing or state-assisted loans by others. That money would be added to the current $30 million set aside for state water projects. Service at the Beach CLENDANIEL'S PLUMBING & HEATING Residential and Commercial , Registered Master Plumber "Over 70 Years Of Service" HYDRONIC HEATING , VISA ACCEPTED , Water Heaters , Heating , Repairs , Winterizing , New Construction , Water Pumps , Sewer & Drain Cleaning , Remodeling , High Pressure Jetting , TV - Pipe Inspections CUSTOMER EMERGENCY SERVICE PROMPT, RELIABLE SERVICE , BONDED & INSURED , LIC #283 227-1944 , 644-1952 , 684-3152 www.clendanielplumbingheating.com MILTON - LEWES - REHOBOTH FocusOn Member Hotline 302-227-6446 • www.Beach-Fun.com 3 BRAG BOARD Lyons Companies Donate To Skate Project Thanks For The Assist! Lyons Companies recently contributed $1,000 to Many thanks to the staff of Epworth UMC Skate Project. “The Lyons Companies Grand Rental Station for helping are proud to be part of a great endeavor like Epworth unload and load deliveries at the Skate Project. It’s a great way to support local youth,” Chamber's Warehouse. The job said Tim Lyons. “We are excited to see how rapidly the could not have been completed project is moving to the finish line and all the commu- without YOU! nity support it has received,” said David Lyons, Jr. The Skate Project has raised $70,000 toward their goal Fun Quotes From Famous People of $75,000. The funds, donated by local individuals and businesses, will pay for construction of a concrete • "The past is a ghost, the future is a dream, skate park on the grounds of Epworth UM Church on and all we ever have is now". Bill Cosby Glade Road in Rehoboth. Once open, the park will be free and open to the public. For more information • "When everything seems to be going about the Skate Project, visit www.eumcrb.org/sk8 or against you, remember that the airplane call Kathy Scott at 645-1517. takes off against the wind, not with it". Henry Ford • "If you're the smartest person in the room... find a different room". Michael Dell • "You don't just luck into things as much as you'd like to think you do. You build step by step, whether it's friendships or opportunities". Barbara Bush Pictured left to right: Tim Lyons, David Lyons, Jr. and Skate Project representative, Kathy Scott Source: Readers Digest, March 2014. NEW CITY OF REHOBOTH BEACH ORDINANCE City of Rehoboth Beach Adopts Smoking Ban The City of Rehoboth Beach smoking ban will go into effect on May 15, 2014. The smoking ban includes the beach (except for up to 20 areas on