Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce December Membership Meeting

Date:    December 8, 2008
Time:    6:30 PM
Place:   New World Home Cooking

Kevin Brady opened the meeting

Kevin recapped the accomplishments of the Chamber for calendar year 2008

• Holiday in the Village
• Giant Flea Market
• Continued offering of Health Insurance Benefits
• Fuel Oil Plan
• Discounted Advertising
• Improved Data Base and accounting
• Informative meetings including local Keynote speakers
• Increased attendance at meetings
• Increased voice in government

Mike Campbell announced upcoming elections

Currently the board has 9 positions, 2 positions are currently available and Heather Plonchak will be resigning.  Members interested in running for a position on the board were encouraged to come forward.

If we are unable to fill 9 positions we may go back to a 7 person board.

Kevin introduced Congressman Maurice Hinchey.

Mr. Hinchey acknowledged the difficult economic situation and spoke of ongoing plans to bring business to Ulster County as well as to the Saugerties area.

He continued to project hopes for the development of Solar Energy, which included discussion of the Kings Highway corridor and Winston Farms.

A number of acknowledgements were made regarding Maurice’s contributions to Saugerties, including:

• a significant grant that Maurice secured to be used for new sewer systems in the Saugerties area.
•  the Mayor’s acknowledgement of stipends the Congressman has sponsored for the betterment of the Village of Saugerties
•  the Congressman’s position on being firm with the quality of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Mr. Hinchey addressed the war in Iraq and assured the membership that the incoming administration would be doing everything they could to address the war and to assist soldiers and their families.

Kevin Brady thanked Mr. Hinchey for attending and closed the meeting