Sodus Chamber news

At a meeting of the Sodus Town Chamber of Commerce at Nick's Family Restaurant:

Those attending were Mary Jane Mumby, Janie Hyland, Mary Piekunka, Ernie Piekunka, Mary Cook, Bill Stirling, Martin Seppeler, Ray Seppeler, John Catlin, Richard Ransley, Nancy Ransley, Jim Hopkins, and Guest Speaker Jill Marshall.

Citizen of the Year banquet: Some felt that the person being honored could have more friends and family in attendance if it were publicized in advance and the restaurants would not have to 'hide' people or be in the position of being unprepared for extra people showing up. A motion was made and seconded to try announcing the winner a few weeks earlier next year.

John Catlin reported that the raffle went well but next year he would like to know in advance what the raffle items are.

The Sodus Sun & Record does not print meeting minutes. The editor said that Williamson people complain it's all about Sodus and Sodus people complain that it's all about Williamson.

The Courier-Gazette web page continues to print minutes. Mary Piekunka is still listed as the contact for the Sodus Chamber and last week, she received a call from Canada requesting information about the area.

Richard Ransley reported that he would have antique pictures ready for the next meeting and also for sale at the 4th of July breakfast. A total of $300 has been set aside for this project.

Clearing of the land by Dynalec property has been started for the fall foliage rides. Jim Hopkins will check with Ontario Midland Railroad to see if the train and crew will be available for the Christmas Train Rides. Some discussion held on the possibility of charging or at least asking for donations.

Discussion held concerning a Chamber Web page; advertising could be sold to help pay for the site. Ray Seppler suggested we have a business directory which would state what each of the businesses handles and that a map could be included as to their locations. Motion made and passed to have DataNet host the page.

Sodus Booster Club is selling 'bricks' to raise money to move the tennis courts. Jim Hopkins will see if Ed DeLyser could come in for out next meeting to discuss this in more detail.

Discussion held on obtaining a cell phone for the Chamber. All felt that we should have an 800 number and voice mail or answering machine capabilities. Ray Seppler to put together some facts and figures. He again offered space in his store for someone to sit and man the phones.

Scholarships

Motion made and passed to do the same as last year with $100 to a boy and $100 to a girl. Some felt that the wording of 'showing improvement' should be eliminated. Nancy Ransley to write up more appropriate words and also present awards at the June 12 school assembly. A discussion was held about raising the dollar amount but most felt that we should leave it alone for now but think about having a specific fund raiser for this in the future,

4th of July breakfast

Ernie Piekunka agreed to do the pancakes and John Caitlin offered to collect the money. Jim Hopkins to check on the tents, Agway has agreed to furnish the gas again this year, and Tracey and Kelley Allen would be in charge of getting the food. Mary Cook to check with John Cook concerning a dedicated circuit/outlet for our needs and to also make sure that the Historical Society give us recognition for doing this since they get one half of the proceeds. Janie Hyland reported that the Youth Center has offered volunteers to help that day. She noted that they are available to any group in the area that could use them. Kathy Wren or Jackie Jones are the contacts. More members will be needed to work that day for setting up, cooking and clean up. Each member is urged to participate in this major fund raiser. It was noted that last year we did over 700 breakfasts.

Motion was made and passed to place a Pennysaver ad for Chamber meetings that have a speaker and to invite the general public to attend.

Guest speaker

Jill Marshall from the Wayne County Planning Board discussed the Your Town: Designing Its Future workshop scheduled for May 15 and 16 in Newark at the Quality Inn. She noted that usually this is held on a regional level with only one representative selected to attend but that since it is being held in Wayne County there will be mostly Wayne County participants.

She also mentioned that the Lt. Governor is scheduled to make an appearance. The purpose of the seminar is to bring people together for different points of view and to change some 'filters' and attitudes. Also to offer guidelines for preparing historic districts, sign ordinances and possible solutions to problems connected with maintaining our rural character.

Sodus village was chosen as the case study since we are on the verge of growth coming down the Rt. 104 corridor, and that the surrounding areas, not just the village, will be impacted. The time is right to prepare and effect changes concerning our agricultural land being over developed, the effect of strip development on Rt. 104, keeping Main St. intact and preserving our numerous historic buildings. Speakers will be available after the workshop.