|
|
|
|
From The Desk of Dave Mueller, Chairman of the Board
Advocating for our Schools
As many of our members may recall, on February 15, 2010, the Greater Medina Chamber published a paper titled, "Position & Recommendation to Medina City Schools." At the time, it was a bold position on sensitive community issues involving Medina City Schools, teacher union contracts and our business community.
For those that may not remember, this is the position paper that made statements such as, "the voters will not accept further tax increases until the School's personnel demonstrate their willingness to compromise on their salary and benefits packages comparable to the adjustments made over the last several years by regional businesses and their workforce." Other position statements included, "The business community has clearly stated that passing a levy without some concessions from the Teachers Association is unacceptable and unsustainable."
After 18 long months, I was proud and overjoyed when I heard the news this week that both sides not only came to an agreement - but an agreement that was aligned with the recommendations contained in the Chambers position paper. As chairman, I commend the Medina Teachers Association for working side by side with the Medina School Board to reach such an agreement. Thank you on behalf of our membership.
FULL ARTICLE INSIDE |
|
|
|
From the Desk of Debra Lynn-Schmitz, President 
There are so many things happening in your Chamber, our community, state and nationally that it's hard to narrow this message down to a few issues.
First of all, our thoughts go out to all of communities that are dealing with the aftermath of Irene. Except for a minor earthquake here, we have managed to avoid so many of the disasters that have devastated other parts of our country over the past several years. I know that one of the critical issues of rebuilding a community is to rebuild the infrastructure and get everyone back to work and the Chambers of Commerce in the areas that were affected will be working hard to help rebuild their communities.
We talk a lot about entrepreneurs. We are kicking off the YEA! (Young Entrepreneurs Academy) right after Labor Day. In case you missed the initial announcement, the Chamber has entered into a three-year agreement with YEA! and with the help of our many generous sponsors we will be conducting an eight month program at Medina High School with as many as 24 High School students creating twelve businesses. The application and more details will be on the front page of our website on Tuesday, September 6. If you have a high school student...FULL ARTICLE INSIDE |
|
|
|
MEDINA CHAMBER MEMBER NAMED TO OHIO SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL
As a result of the strong recommendations from our Chamber, I am pleased, proud and flattered to have been appointed to Lt. Governor Taylor's Small Business Advisory Council. This Council is made up of nine businessmen and women with highly diversified backgrounds and from different regions of Ohio. As part of the Common Sense Initiative (CSI), which Governor Kasich signed as his first executive order in January, we have been tasked with identifying specific existing rules and regulations that are needlessly disruptive to existing businesses as well as those that might dissuade other businesses from locating in Ohio. The CSI also has in place a process to review proposed rules to ensure that they are fair and reasonable before they are brought before the Ohio Legislature.
Our initial meeting was held in Columbus on August 18th. It was great to meet the other members of the Council, all of whom bring a wealth of experience, energy and vision to the group. I was also highly impressed with the straight forward, no nonsense approach that the Lt. Governor and her staff took in laying out the goals and expectations of our Council. In short, our initial charge is to reach out to people in his or her local business community for assistance in identifying rules and laws that are unneeded, overreaching or in need of revision. We will bring these suggestions back to the Council where we will evaluate, prioritize and create appropriate action recommendations.
I am planning such roundtable discussions in greater Medina in the near future. Please check the Medina Chamber's calendar for announcements of venues, dates and times. Until then, please feel free to send me an e-mail at mbaach@philpottrubber.com describing any rules or regulations that you feel need attention. Please include information on how they are negatively affecting Ohio businesses and your suggestions for fixing them. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volume 37, Issue 9
September 2011 Edition |
 |
|
|
|
2011 Board of Directors
Dave Mueller, BPR/Rico Equipment, Inc., Chairman of the Board
Valerie Rapp, Homestead Insurance, Chair-Elect
Keith Hughes, Dyer, Hughes, Roche & Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer
Mike Baach, Philpott Rubber Company, Past Chair
Chad Wilson, Rapid Marketplace, Vice Chair, Business Advocacy
Brian Harr, Western Reserve Bank, Vice Chair, Economic Development
Michael B. Miller, FirstMerit Bank, Vice Chair, Member Services
------------------
Jani Davis, Westfield Insurance
Amy Demlow, Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston
Dr. Tim Earley, Medina Vision & Laser Centre
George Hudnutt, The Medina Gazette
Delmar Jones, Jonesy's Classic Cleaners
Coleen Morlock, VCS Salon & Spa
Bob Thompson, Town & Country Co-Op
Mark Williams, Williams On The Lake
------------------
Ex-officio Members
Jim Bigam, Medina Hospital
Jim Conrad, Conrad & Dowdell Productions
Jim Gerspacher, Gerspacher Real Estate Group
Bert Humpal, Dyer, Hughes, Roche & Wilson
Ray Seaman, Seaman Financial Services
Don Simmons, Simmons Brothers Construction |
|
0New Members
(as of 8/31/11)
A Cupcake A Day...
115 W. Liberty St.
Medina, OH 44256
330-389-1247
Shawna Rollheiser
www.acupcakeaday.com
A mini dessert boutique that offers a sophisticated twist to the old fashioned cupcake. Also offering muffins, cookies & cake pops.
AccessChina International
342 E. Bramble Circle
Akron, OH 44321
330-236-4415
Michael Liu
www.accesschinaintl.com
International trade consulting, specialized on issues related to China.
City Center Thrift Store
831 N. Court St.
Medina, OH 44256
330-952-2141
Bruce Wilkinson
Non-profit retail thrift store
Concrete Restoration Specialists, LLC
P. O. Box 283
Sharon Center, OH 44274
330-239-0685
Rebecca Schauecker
Concrete Restoration
ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning Services
101 N. Main St
Creston, OH 44217
330-435-4043
Jerry Miller, Tiffany Noe
www.svmprofessionalcleaningservices.com
Commercial and residential cleaning and disaster restoration service provider serving Medina, Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Richland counties.
Small Wonders Childcare & Preschool, Inc.
731 Weymouth Road
Medina, OH 44256
330-764-3383
www.smallwonderschildcare.biz
Child care, Preschool & private kindergarten provided for children ages 6 weeks - 12 years old. Degreed teachers. Step up to Quality Star Rated Center.
|
|
COMMITTEES
Business Development
Gary Wright, Robert W. Baird
Greg Thomas, Leadership Excellence
Kenny Bevins, CMITPROS
Kurt Kappa, Westfield Bank
Michael Matasich, Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs
Toby Kemsuzian, Dorman-Farrell
Program Committee
Andy deLuna, Williams on the Lake
Arno Kremer, Yours Truly Restaurant
Brian Walters, SBDC
Jennifer Smith, Frontier Communications
Judi Campo, Sinful Sweets..OMG
Kathy Breitenbucher, The Pedestal Group
Michael Miller, First Merit Bank |
|
|
GREATER MEDINA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
9/1/11
Safety Seminar
Excavation Seminar
Weymouth Country Club
8:30am to 11:30am
9/6/11
Monthly Membership Meeting
Medina County Commissioners
"State of the County"
Williams on the Lake
11:30am to 1:00pm
9/20/11
Safety Council Showcase
Weymouth Country club
11:30am to 1:00pm
9/21/11
Networking WOW!
Fox Meadows Country Club
7:30am to 9:00am
9/21/11
Young Professionals Social
Cornhole Tournament
Mapleside Farms, Brunswick
5:30pm to 7:30pm
9/27/11
Business After Business
Citizens Bank
890 N. Court St., Medina
5:00pm to 7:00pm
|
|
SAVE THE DATE
Witches Brew Chamber Night at Williams on the Lake
Friday, October 28, 2011
Tickets are $40+tax per person
RSVP online
Support local business!
|
|
2011 Annual Golf Outing - Weymouth Country Club
 
 
 
|
|
Save Money Now!
Is your organization trying to find a way to reduce costs? Save money now by being
reviewed for the Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce workers' compensation group rating discount program. Workers' compensation premiums can be costly in today's economy and group rating is still one of the BEST options available to reduce that expense upfront.
If you explored our plan in the past, it's time to take a second look. You owe it to yourself to explore the options and savings a membership entitles you to receive. If you participate in another group rating program, you may not be saving as much as possible and you may be paying extra dues to belong to another group.
If you are reviewing savings quotes from other group administrators, please make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. Our group administrator, CompManagement, Inc. takes great pride in the accuracy and consistency of our savings forecast, while others may tend to promote inflated savings figures in an effort to secure additional business. It should also be mentioned that not all group administrators offer the same level of service (not all service companies are capable of providing your organization with the full array of discount programs currently available as well as services related to claims management, cost containment, safety & loss control, rating, and hearing representation).
Therefore, it is critical that you align yourself with a program that has a group administrator that is able to meet all of your current, as well as future needs. Please review other quotes thoroughly to ensure that you are comparing similar discounts and service offerings.
CompManagement is currently in the process of reviewing employers for our group discount program for the 2012 rate year. To receive a free, no obligation savings quote contact CompManagement's Customer Support Unit at (800) 825-6755, option 3 to request an analysis by phone. As a service to our members, CompManagement will not only evaluate your organization for participation in group rating, but all alternative rating programs that would be beneficial to your organization's bottom line.
We urge you to take advantage of this tremendous member benefit! Discounted Workers' Compensation Program |
|
|
|
MEMBER NEWS
The sixth annual Trinity Rose Foundation Golf Outing is scheduled for Monday, September 12th at Weymouth Country Club. The proceeds from the outing will provide financial aid to local families dealing with childhood blindness and a research grant to help find a cure for blindness. Help the Trinity Rose Foundation continue its mission to help families See the World Together and sign-up for golf or a sponsorship today! Visit www.trinityrose.org for further information or contact Stacy Bonitz at stacy@trinityrose.org.
The University of Akron Wayne College has announced they will have guest speaker Jeff VanVonderen from A&E Network's Show Intervention speak on Tuesday, September 20 at 7PM in the Student Life Building. Jeff will be speaking on addiction, family systems and recovery. RSVP to jeffvanvonderen@uakron.edu.
Looking for a job? Michael E. Kovack, Medina County Auditor announced that a new Employment Page was added to his website. Find local job opportunities with Medina County Offices and many links to career boards.
Our condolences go out to the family of Donald Edward Snow. Mr. Snow was a past Medina Chamber board chairman. (1975)
Congratulations to the Leadership Medina County Class of 2012 chamber members: Luke Andrews, Leap-Wise Media; Sharon Biggins, Medina Creative Housing; Steven Chrisman, Medina County Career Center; Sabrina Cochran, FirstMerit Bank; Shawn Gerspacher, KeyBank; Troy Gerspacher, Gerspacher Real Estate Group, Inc.; Jeffrey Jones, Westfield Bank; Connie King, The University of Akron Medina County University Center; Bev Kreiner, Medina County Health Department; Gretchen Long, Westfield Insurance; Melissa Lund, FirstMerit Bank, N.A.; Kenelm McCormick, Hospice of Medina County; John O'Mara, Azava Capital, LLC; Floyd Ostrowski, A. I. Root d/b/a Root Candles; Jeff Reusser, GHI Internet Services; Greg Schimmoeller, Ferrell-Whited Physical Therapy; Vicky Snyder, Medina Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital; Beth Tresch, The Philpott Rubber Company; Matt Wiederhold, Main Street Medina; and Sylvia Williams, Medina County District Library.
McJak Candy Company, LLC is EXPANDING! McJak recently announced they plan to build a 19,500 square foot addition to the rear of the existing building. This will follow the 12,350 square foot expansion of 2010.
Asian Martial Arts owner Jeff Burlingame recently announced a fund raiser for the Anti-Bully Boot Camp. This event will take place at Deer Pass Golf Course on September 25. Volunteers are needed and sponsorships are available. Please contact Jeff at (330)321-2643.
Join the American Red Cross and Giant Eagle for the 2011 Power of the Purse event. This year's event will be held at Weymouth Country Club on Thursday, September 22 from 6-9pm. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased by calling the Medina Red Cross office at (330)723-4565. Deadline is September 9th. Last year sold out!
Western Reserve Bank would like to announce the addition of Lawrence P. Kenny to their corporate lending team. Larry brings with him 39 years of commercial banking experience.
Western Reserve Bank would also like to announce the appointment of Mark C. J. Davey as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and Bank. Mr. Davey is president and owner of Stress Analysis Services, Inc.
Trekking Through Autumn. Get out and enjoy Medina County parks between September 1 and November 30. Those who hike 8 trails will receive an award. Visit www.medinacountyparks.com for additional information.
The Summit Medina Business Alliance is offering four seminars in the month of September. "How to Write a Business Plan", "Numbers Demystified", "Business Basics" and "Basic QuickBooks". Contact them at (330)375-2111 for additional information.
The Medina Athletic Boosters are selling advertising for the upcoming school year. If you have students or own a business in the Medina schools district contact Laurie Letts at (330)242-5600 for ad information. Booster sponsorship details.
Main Street Medina is preparing for their next two fall events. Ladies Night Out, Thursday, September 15 from 5pm to 9pm and Medina Black Saturday, Saturday, November 26 from 10am to 5pm. For detail on these and more events visit www. mainstreetmedina.com. |
|
The Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce Board Search Committee is developing a list of prospective Board Members to serve from December, 2011 until December, 2014 (three year term). Chamber Members may submit an application to be considered for a position. Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will be asked to serve. The Board Search Committee uses a matrix to identify members by type of business, length of time business has been open, physical location and other criteria to make every attempt to seat a Board that reflects our membership. Other requirements include:
- Board Members are responsible for all of their own expenses and are expected to attend an out-of-town overnight retreat (Friday-Saturday in late January).
- Board meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at noon at a local facility over lunch and attendance is taken very seriously.
- Board meetings last between 1 to 1 ½ hours.
- Board members are expected to attend as many events as possible during the year.
- Board members are required to sign a conflict of interest and confidentiality statement.
- The Board takes fiscal and policy responsibility for the Chamber.
- The Chamber carries Director's and Officers insurance.
- Board members are required to assist in developing and assisting in the Chamber's Strategic Plan developed at the January retreat.
If you are interested in serving on the Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, please submit this form to exec@medinaohchamber.com by no later than September 15, 2011. All applications will be distributed to the Board Search Committee Chair, Mike Baach, serving as immediate Past Chairman of the Board as the By-Laws require. If you have any questions please contact me at 330-723-1790, at the email address above or we can provide contact information for one of our existing Board Members. |
|
MCUC. Providing the tools for success...
A productive, competitive work force is vital to the economy of Medina County. The University of Akron Medina County University Center (MCUC) was built to provide state-of-the-art training, skills building and education to keep our companies competitive and residents marketable. Whether a company seeks to invest in its future through building the skills of its work force, or an individual desires more training for a current position, promotion, or a new career - MCUC is here to help.
The professional development courses at MCUC are leading-edge, affordable and open to all adults in our community. You don't have to have a degree to enroll. We also offer custom-designed classes for businesses with specific training needs.
You're only a few steps away from your goal...MCUC can help you reach it. View www.uakron.edu/mcuc/nc/ to see our open enrollment course schedule. Or, call 330.721.2210 for course information. |
|
|
|
Chamber Staff
Debra Lynn-Schmitz, President
Tina Gienger, Member Services Manager
Susan Murawski, Safety Council Administrator
Becky Parkhurst, Accounting Manager
Karen Whitaker, Administrative Professional |
|
Tina Gienger, Newsletter Editor
Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce
145 North Court St, Medina, OH 44256
www.medinaohchamber.com
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.
Phone: 330-723-8773
Fax: 330-722-6844
73 Years of Serving Medina Area Businesses
Interested in advertising in this publication? Click here for a price list.
  
|
|
|
|
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to serve member investors and promote business interests through economic development, business advocacy and member services, which benefit the Greater Medina Community. |
|
|
