6A | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS
“We’re bringing the tools,
people and connections need-
ed to help your business suc-
ceed. Your chamber is dedi-
cated and focused on helping
businesses in the community
develop, grow and succeed,” he
said. “In the next year, I hope
to help your chamber keep its
momentum and work with
fellow businesses and Bettina
to champion some new pro-
grams that bring more value
MOMENTUM from page 1A
“We did do a lot of thriving
this year,” Hannigan said. She
described the formation of a
new committee to represent
all of Florence’s revitalization,
instead of the separate Down-
town, Uptown and Old Town
committees. The chamber
worked with the Siuslaw Vi-
sion and the City of Florence
for the project.
“What a legacy we can leave
our community that we have
one committee that represents
the beautification and revital-
ization of our entire Florence
area,” Hannigan said.
In addition, community
stakeholders, including Con-
federated Tribes of Coos,
Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw
Indians, the city, Siuslaw High
School and local government
agencies, convened to develop
workforce studies and oppor-
tunities for local students.
Outgoing 2018-19 Pres-
ident Russ Pierson talked
further about the ReVision
Florence Streetscaping Proj-
ect and how its construction
timeline will continue to af-
fect businesses and residents
in the Highway 101 corridor
from the Siuslaw River Bridge
north to Highway 126.
“We’ve managed so far with-
out too much drama, thanks in
no small part to the leadership
of Florence Mayor Joe Henry,
the fantastic city council, City
Manager Erin Reynolds and
the excellent Florence city staff
and all of you, our chamber
members and friends, resi-
dents and visitors to Florence,
many of whom have made it a
special point of civic pride to
be sure to visit the businesses
that have been directly impact-
ed,” he said.
Pierson thanked the outgo-
ing members of the chamber
board. Retiring members are
Martin Alletson, Driftwood
Shores; Nancy Bosket, Ore-
gon Pacific Bank; Lynda Col-
ter-Bergh, Bottom Line Con-
sulting; Bobby Jensen Jr., Breen
Marine; and Susy Lacer, Susy
Lacer Consulting Services.
Pierson then paraphrased
President John F. Kennedy,
saying, “Ask not what your
chamber can do for you, ask
what you can do for your
chamber. Your chamber really
is a remarkable organization
and I just want to highlight
what should be an obvious
PHOTOS BY RUE SCHERTELL/FLORENCE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Above, Florence Chamber Executive Director
introduces the theme for 2019-20, “Keeping
Momentum.” Left, Board President Neil Ecker
assumes leadership.
fact. Your chamber is a volun-
teer organization. We have two
remarkable employees. The
rest of us are all volunteers and
we want your help as well. And
here’s the thing — the more
you give to your chamber, the
more the more you get back.”
Afterwards, Hannigan in-
troduced Cottage Grove Exec-
utive Director Travis Palmer as
the guest presenter. She called
Palmer “a hero,” citing his
nine-year history as chamber
director and his commitment
to economic development for
not only Cottage Grove but all
of Lane County.
In his presentation, Palmer
spoke about the importance of
partnerships in keeping mo-
mentum going for chambers
of commerce. “We engage in
countless partnerships in the
community,” he said and de-
tailed several projects.
The first of these is the Yard
of the Week, which benefits
weekly winners, entire neigh-
borhoods and the chamber it-
self as it partners with the City
of Cottage Grove. Winners,
selected by Palmer and the
Cottage Grove City Manager,
receive a yard sign, a $25 gift
card to use at local chamber
members’ businesses and a free
month on their water bill.
It is also a chance for Palmer
and the city manager to spend
an hour together once a week,
time that is invaluable, he said.
They get the chance to talk
about projects, funding and
building relationship.
“That is time that
has become so im-
portant for us as a
chamber,” Palmer said. “You
cannot buy the value of that
hour a week doing something
silly, going around town and
encouraging neighbors to be
good neighbors to each other.”
He also talked about the
importance of other chambers
and economic partners for
events like the Cottage Grove
Business Challenge, which
encourages the growth of new
and existing businesses.
“I encourage you to leverage
partnerships like that. Don’t
always count on someone else
coming in, … but think about
what you can create through
partnerships,” he said.
Palmer then installed new
board members and welcomed
to the stage the 2019-20 Flor-
ence Area Chamber of Com-
merce Board: President Neil
Ecker, Past President Russ
Pierson, President Elect Shau-
na Robbers, Secretary Janet
Engel, Tom Basset, Jason Haw-
kins, Rich Colton and Dan
Lofy, along with newly sworn
in Chris Nystrom, Al Rojas
and Bonnie Stone, who will be
treasurer.
“These people really take
their membership and involve-
ment to a whole other level,”
Palmer said. “The chamber
gets more out of its officers
than they probably will ever
get out of us. It’s a thankless
job — we thank them when we
can — but it’s a very important
job and it makes us all better
for what they do.”
Next, new president Ecker
stayed on stage. He thanked
chamber members, volunteers,
sponsors and staff, as well as
the community, for their work
in making the chamber strong.
“Without them and all
their dedication, the wonder-
ful events and programs the
chamber does for our business
community would not be pos-
sible. Thank you to each and
every one of you,” he said.
Ecker stated this year’s
theme will be “Keeping Mo-
mentum.” After looking at
social media, he realized how
much the area had accom-
plished with ReVision Flor-
ence, public art and the new
park on Rhododendron Drive.
“I realized that this com-
munity is indeed ‘A City in
Motion’ and we’re thriving
and growing. … I realized
that we need to keep up our
momentum,” he said. “All of
you, along with the Florence
Area Chamber of Commerce
and the City of Florence, have
built up tremendous momen-
tum that is leading the way
for great changes and growth
for our city — and we need to
keep it going. Ya’ll have built a
wonderful place to work, stay
and play as Oregon’s Premier
Coastal Playground. Every day
I talk to fellow business owners
and they all say the same thing:
‘We’re busy and having a great
year.’”
According to Ecker, the
Florence Area Chamber of
Commerce is moving from
parties, pageants and parades
to catalysts, conveners and
champions.
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to your membership and help
your business succeed. We’re
a strong, passionate and lov-
ing community and together
I know we can keep it going
stronger.”
For more information on
the Florence Area Chamber
of Commerce, volunteering or
joining a committee, visit Flor-
enceChamber.com or stop by
the Florence Visitor’s Center,
290 Highway 101.
County Transfer & Recycling
Th anks for recycling in Florence!
Separating recyclables from your trash reduces the amount of waste that
ends up in landfi lls, saves energy, and reduces emissions!
Th e items that can go into your recycle cart are:
• Cardboard (please fl atten) and Paper (magazines, junk mail, newspapers,
scrap paper, cereal boxes, egg cartons)
• Plastic milk jugs and transparent drinking bottles (please rinse – no
lids)
• Metal food and drink cans (please rinse – no lids)
In Florence recycling is picked up on the same day as your trash.
Th anks for letting us serve you!
For more information please call us at: 541-997-8233
5078 Coastwood Ln, Florence, OR 97439
We invite
you to
join us.
• Wednesday, 7 p.m. - Family Connections
• Sunday Worship 9:00am and 10:45am
Corner of 10th & Maple St. • 541-997-3533
www.florencecrossroad.org
email: office@florencecrossroad.org
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Local Eats
Your guide to great
locally owned restaurants.
Mo’s Restaurant
Spring is here, stop in today.
Where good friends &
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Enjoy great food and good times.
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