Spotlight on business s
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10/12/2007 - Chautauqua County Chamber holds
annual banquet
By MICHAEL RUKAVINA
OBSERVER Staff Writer
More than 400 people, including county and local officials, business owners, and community members, gathered together to celebrate the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet at the Williams Center Thursday evening. The elegant event placed the spotlight on eight individuals who have been recognized for their community efforts, economic efforts or for representing the chamber.
This year's guest speaker was Stan Lundine, who was appointed as the chairman of the Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness. Lundine gave a progress report to chamber constituents regarding the outlook of municipal consolidation.
"Our property taxes in New York are too high and we'd like to find a way to lower our taxes but not impair services. The governor believes, and I agree, there are just too many layers of local government. We have too many governments, we have too many school districts, and we'd like to see consolidation," Lundine said. "It's wonderful that the chamber has honored some people who are advocates of shared services. It's great to hear Dunkirk and Fredonia cooperating, or Jamestown and the Sheriff's Department. But that doesn't go far enough."
Lundine's opening remarks looked to encourage business and community leaders to continue to aid this consolidation process, from the state to the local level.
"We're just at the fact-finding stage now. We need to have incentives for consolidation, and actually some penalties for those local communities that say, 'we're special, we want to stay separate, we don't want to affiliate or work with others,'" he said. "I think there has been too much of a sense of entitlement by local government. I say all this having come from originally being a mayor (of Jamestown) and someone who believes in local government. I just think we need more efficiency."
For a county seeking sustained economic development, the chamber chose to give this year's economic development award to the Italian Fisherman, which was accepted by owner Dan Dalpra.
"We're excited about it and we're proud and privileged to accept such an award. We've enjoyed playing an active roll in the future development of the Chautauqua County region and we think we're on a tremendous threshold of things to open up and become even more active," said Dalpra, who also operates the Bemus Bay Pops Organization. "It's a tremendous asset to the region and being able to put something back into the community that makes the community a better place for all of us. I think it opens up many door of opportunity for our young people for the future and for future development and growth. It's just a win-win on both sides."
This year's person of the year award was given to Michael Lyons who has participated with both national and international YMCA programs, and also served as chairman of the Shared Services Committee for 10 years.
There were local chamber awards handed out as well.
On hand to accept the community service award from the Westfield-Barcelona Chamber of Commerce was state Sen. Catharine Young.
"I'm very honored to be receiving this award from Westfield. The people of Westfield are the real heroes because they had a vision, and they had an idea, and they were able to develop it into a farmers market," Young said. "My hat is off to the chamber as well, they are heroes to. These are the people who are investing in our communities, the people who are providing jobs and making our communities more vibrant, and we can't thank them enough."
David Doino was nominated by the Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce for a community service award. Doino was the first Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation executive director following its formation in 1986 and held leadership roles in the Dunkirk Rotary Club, Progress Park, and the Dunkirk Chamber Board of Directors.
The Fredonia Chamber of Commerce nominated Minda Rae Amiran for a community service award. Amiran continues to volunteer with literacy volunteers, and tutors inmates at the Lakeview Shock Incarceration. She is also an active member in the League of Woman Voters to Chautauqua County.
In Jamestown, Randall Sweeney was nominated for his community service efforts. Sweeney, since 1997, has served as executive director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Robert H. Jackson Center, serving as secretary.
Mayville-Chautauqua honored Charles Kelsey for its community service award nomination. Kelsey is the executive director and station manager of Access Channel 5.
And in Silver Creek-Irving, Mary Richir was nominated for her community efforts. Richir coordinates meals on wheels efforts which is held daily at the Mount Carmel Auditorium, and is active with the Silver Creek Festival of Grapes.
annual banquet
By MICHAEL RUKAVINA
OBSERVER Staff Writer
More than 400 people, including county and local officials, business owners, and community members, gathered together to celebrate the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet at the Williams Center Thursday evening. The elegant event placed the spotlight on eight individuals who have been recognized for their community efforts, economic efforts or for representing the chamber.
This year's guest speaker was Stan Lundine, who was appointed as the chairman of the Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness. Lundine gave a progress report to chamber constituents regarding the outlook of municipal consolidation.
"Our property taxes in New York are too high and we'd like to find a way to lower our taxes but not impair services. The governor believes, and I agree, there are just too many layers of local government. We have too many governments, we have too many school districts, and we'd like to see consolidation," Lundine said. "It's wonderful that the chamber has honored some people who are advocates of shared services. It's great to hear Dunkirk and Fredonia cooperating, or Jamestown and the Sheriff's Department. But that doesn't go far enough."
Lundine's opening remarks looked to encourage business and community leaders to continue to aid this consolidation process, from the state to the local level.
"We're just at the fact-finding stage now. We need to have incentives for consolidation, and actually some penalties for those local communities that say, 'we're special, we want to stay separate, we don't want to affiliate or work with others,'" he said. "I think there has been too much of a sense of entitlement by local government. I say all this having come from originally being a mayor (of Jamestown) and someone who believes in local government. I just think we need more efficiency."
For a county seeking sustained economic development, the chamber chose to give this year's economic development award to the Italian Fisherman, which was accepted by owner Dan Dalpra.
"We're excited about it and we're proud and privileged to accept such an award. We've enjoyed playing an active roll in the future development of the Chautauqua County region and we think we're on a tremendous threshold of things to open up and become even more active," said Dalpra, who also operates the Bemus Bay Pops Organization. "It's a tremendous asset to the region and being able to put something back into the community that makes the community a better place for all of us. I think it opens up many door of opportunity for our young people for the future and for future development and growth. It's just a win-win on both sides."
This year's person of the year award was given to Michael Lyons who has participated with both national and international YMCA programs, and also served as chairman of the Shared Services Committee for 10 years.
There were local chamber awards handed out as well.
On hand to accept the community service award from the Westfield-Barcelona Chamber of Commerce was state Sen. Catharine Young.
"I'm very honored to be receiving this award from Westfield. The people of Westfield are the real heroes because they had a vision, and they had an idea, and they were able to develop it into a farmers market," Young said. "My hat is off to the chamber as well, they are heroes to. These are the people who are investing in our communities, the people who are providing jobs and making our communities more vibrant, and we can't thank them enough."
David Doino was nominated by the Dunkirk Chamber of Commerce for a community service award. Doino was the first Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation executive director following its formation in 1986 and held leadership roles in the Dunkirk Rotary Club, Progress Park, and the Dunkirk Chamber Board of Directors.
The Fredonia Chamber of Commerce nominated Minda Rae Amiran for a community service award. Amiran continues to volunteer with literacy volunteers, and tutors inmates at the Lakeview Shock Incarceration. She is also an active member in the League of Woman Voters to Chautauqua County.
In Jamestown, Randall Sweeney was nominated for his community service efforts. Sweeney, since 1997, has served as executive director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Robert H. Jackson Center, serving as secretary.
Mayville-Chautauqua honored Charles Kelsey for its community service award nomination. Kelsey is the executive director and station manager of Access Channel 5.
And in Silver Creek-Irving, Mary Richir was nominated for her community efforts. Richir coordinates meals on wheels efforts which is held daily at the Mount Carmel Auditorium, and is active with the Silver Creek Festival of Grapes.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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