Date post: | 29-Mar-2016 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | sierra-vista-chamber-of-commerce |
View: | 213 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Fighting for Local Businesses by Executive Director Amanda Baillie
The Chamber Vista A monthly publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber March 2012
Volume 2012, Issue #3
In the past few months the
Chamber’s Legislative
Affairs Committee (LAC) has
been taking a close look at its
mission, as well as
considering how we can
become more effective as a
voice for business.
The Chamber strongly
believes that it should be an
advocate for its members at
the local, state and federal
levels.
We also acknowledge that
some of our members may
not agree that a Chamber of
Commerce should be politi-
cally active. But if we do not
voice an opinion on behalf of
the business community, then
who will?
Sometimes that means taking
a position on certain issues
and, on occasion, endorsing a
pro-business political
candidate.
Rest assured that these
decisions are not made by me
alone. All issues are brought
before LAC for discussion, as
well as the Board of
Directors, which has the final
say on how the Chamber
moves forward.
One of our goals is to try to
keep our members better
informed about what is hap-
pening in the political world,
particularly when it comes to
legislation that may affect
your businesses.
On our website
you will find a
LAC page,
which lists the
members of the
committee and
its plan of work.
It also has links
to election infor-
mation as well
as contact details for our
elected officials.
The LAC meets on the first
Tuesday of the month at the
Chamber and at its February
meeting it discussed, among
other items, two important
issues.
The first was the 2012
Statewide Legislative Agenda
for Arizona Businesses which
was put together by the
Arizona Chamber Executives,
an alliance of state Chambers
to which the Sierra Vista
Area Chamber belongs.
This agenda, which is avail-
able on our website on the
LAC page, covers a wide
range of subjects, from
business taxes and the State
budget to economic
development and health care.
It will be presented to our
State representatives during
the annual Chamber Day at
the Legislature on March 6.
The agenda has been
endorsed by both LAC and
the Board of Directors, and
so far has the support of 36
Arizona Chambers.
While we may not agree with
every position taken in the
document, we do believe it
presents a good legislative
agenda as a whole and when
individual issues listed in the
agenda come up, we can look
at them closely and decide if
we wish to endorse them.
The Chamber has also en-
dorsed Senate Bill 1338,
which would require any
retail company with a
physical presence in Arizona,
including warehouses,
distribution and fulfillment
centers, to collect sales taxes
on purchases made by state
residents.
The bill aims to endorse a
federal law which says states
may only collect sales tax
from companies
Continued on pg. 3
“We Mean Business”
An Update from
Executive Director
Amanda Baillie
2
Sierra Vista & Ft.
Huachuca: Our
Community Our
Future
2
Member Spotlight
on Candlewood
Suites
3
Chamber Calendar 4
SACA Vendor List 4
Chamber Events 5
New Board
Members
6
Member Page 7
Board of Directors/
Chamber Staff
8
In just a couple of weeks the
Chamber will be presenting
the 2012 Southeastern
Arizona Contractors Associa-
tion Home & Garden Show at
Buena High School.
It is not too late to get your
business signed up for this
event.
Unlike the Chamber’s Home
& Business Expo in Septem-
ber, this is a two-day show
which offers larger spaces for
vendors to exhibit their wares.
We are particularly
encouraging home
improvement businesses to
set up displays which really
showcase the type of work
that they do, whether that be
flooring, cabinets, hot tubs or
landscaping.
This is a great venue to show
the general public what you do
and why they should hire your
business.
Call us today about space
availability and rates.
As you are aware, the Chamber
recently held its 2012 Board of
Directors election and we were
happy to see so many of our
members voicing their opinions
by returning their ballots.
I would like to personally
congratulate the new incoming
board members, as well as our
two returning incumbents – you
can read the results elsewhere in
this publication.
More importantly, I would also
like to thank the three other
candidates – Mike Strange, Glen
Cobb and Julie Phipps – for
running in this election.
All of the nominees knew there
would be more candidates than
vacant seats on the board and I
applaud each and every one of
them for helping us give a voting
choice to the membership.
Our new board members will take
on their roles in April and I know
that they, along with our existing
directors, will do a fantastic job
representing the interests of our
members.
Chamber Update by Executive Director Amanda Baillie
“I would like to
personally
congratulate the
new incoming
board members”
Page 2 The Chamber Vista
Last month all Chamber members should
have received a letter regarding a new
campaign to help educate the community
about water use and savings.
The Chamber has joined forces with the City
of Sierra Vista, Huachuca 50 and Cochise
County to launch Sierra Vista & Fort
Huachuca – Our Community * Our Future, a
long-term education and outreach effort to
help reduce the amount of water used by area
residents and businesses.
This campaign is the result of discussions
that took place at a Chamber Legislative
Affairs Committee (LAC) meeting last
summer, following the invalidation of the
Biological Opinion that had been issued for
Fort Huachuca outlining how they must
protect the Water Umbel plant and the
critical habitat on the San Pedro River.
As a result of a lawsuit filed by the Center
for Biological Diversity, Fort Huachuca has
to again go through the process of a full
biological assessment to have a new
Biological Opinion issued by the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service.
Fort Huachuca cannot meet its
federal mandates regarding water
use – a critical component of its
biological assessment – alone, so
the LAC members decided that a
grassroots educational campaign
needed to take place to help the
community understand why this
issue is so important and how
they can help.
There are many misconceptions
regarding water use in our area,
so our goal is to present the hard and fast
facts, backed up by studies and data.
We also want to explain why every member
of this community, whether they have ties to
the Fort or not, could be affected in some
way if they do not do their part.
Fort Huachuca contributes $2.4 billion to our
economy every year and we ALL benefit
from that.
This campaign is long-term and right now we
are concentrating on educating people about
why we are doing this. Phase two, which will
kick in toward the summer, will focus on the
actions businesses and the general public can
take to save water in their place of work or at
home.
Our philosophy is that if we all pull together
as a community, we really can make a differ-
ence which helps keep Fort Huachuca, and
our quality of life, viable.
Please take the time to read the materials we
sent you and to pass it on to your employees,
colleagues, families and friends.
The information is also available on
www.SVFortOurCommunity.com
Sierra Vista & Fort Huachuca- Our Community Our Future: Water Campaign
Page 3
Member Spotlight by Executive Director Amanda Baillie
Fighting for Local Businesses (continued from page 1)
which have a presence in that state and has been triggered by
Amazon.com’s assertion that its Phoenix area distribution center
does not meet that requirement.
A recent article in the Sierra Vista Herald stated that although
Arizona’s retail sales in December were up on the previous
year, they were not as high as predicted.
One of the explanations offered, was that consumers turned to
online retailers rather than shop at main street businesses.
Local businesses, especially small, independent businesses
which make up a large part of our membership, are finding it
increasingly difficult to compete with online companies which
can offer free shipping and sometimes cheaper prices.
According to a study commissioned by the Arizona Retailers
Association, if the bill is signed into law, 24.3 percent of sales
on Amazon.com to Arizona residents would shift to local brick
and mortar stores.
That, says the study, would also translate to thousands of jobs
and increased revenue to the state.
While the Chamber is supportive of economic development and
attracting new companies to Arizona, we feel that all businesses
should pay their fair share of taxes and help support our state’s
infrastructure.
We also want our members to be able to compete fairly with
their online counterparts and we will continue to monitor the
progress of this bill.
Guests who stay at the Candlewood
Suites in Sierra Vista are assured a home
away from home, according to General
Manager Sedona Blinson.
With the majority of guests staying
between two weeks and six months, there
is plenty of time for them to get to know
the hotel staff.
“I think that has to be the most wonderful
thing about working here,” said Sedona.
“We get to know our guests and even
their families. Many come back to visit,
which is really fun. This really is a home
away from home for them.”
Candlewood Suites opened its doors on
South Highway 92 nearly five years ago
and has 71 rooms, all with full kitchens.
It typically attracts long-term guests,
many of them military, government
contractors and general contractors.
In addition to full kitchens, guests also
enjoy a gym, laundry, pool and spa,
a gazebo with a BBQ and a 24-hour
convenience store.
And although the hotel does not
have meeting room facilities, its
sister hotel next door, the Holiday
Inn Express, does.
Sedona, who took over the GM’s
job in May last year, believes her
friendly staff and high cleanliness
standards make Candlewood Suites
a top choice for people visiting
Sierra Vista.
“We also take pride in knowing what our
guests need and want,” she said.
Since taking on her managerial position,
Sedona has utilized her Chamber
membership to network with other com-
munity leaders.
“When I first started here I did not know
a lot of people,” said Sedona, who is
originally from Phoenix. “Attending
Chamber events has helped me to learn
about the community on a different level.
It’s the business people who really know
this community.”
The Candlewood Suites can be contacted
at 520-439-8200. Chamber members
receive a special rate of $89.
ENTER TO WIN A FREE
FLYER PLACEMENT IN THE
CHAMBER VISTA
TEXT VISTA101 TO 72727
&
DON’T FORGET TO
DOWNLOAD THE
CHAMBER APP TODAY!
Schedule of Events
March 7th - Military Affairs Luncheon,
TMAC, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
March 8th - Business at Twilight, Aristo-
care 500 E. Fry Blvd, Suite M-4 (2nd
floor atrium), 5: 00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
March 13th - Legislative Affairs Com-
mittee Meeting, Chamber, 8:00 a.m.
March 14th - Ambassador’s Meeting,
Manda Le, 5:30 p.m.
March 14th - Leadership, Border Day
March 23 - 24 - Southeastern Arizona
Contractor’s Association Home Show
March 26th - Flyer inserts are due for
April’s Chamber Vista
Page 4 The Chamber Vista
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3
4 5 6 7
MAC
8
BAT
9 10
11 12 13
LAC
14 Ambassa-
dor/Leadership
15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23
SACA
24
SACA
25 26
FLYERS
27 28 29 30 31
March 2012
Arizona Pest Control
Berg’s Heating & Cooling
BrightStar
Budget Blinds
Cable Alternatives
Cannon’s Creative Surfaces, Inc
Cherry Creek Radio
City of Sierra Vista– Department of
Community
Clark Information Systems
Cochise County Democratic
Committee
Curves of Sierra Vista
Cutco Cutlery
Elect John George for City Council
G.R.A.S.P. Heating & Cooling
Grasshopper Landscaping
Habitat for Humanity
Home Depot
Jeff Flake for U.S. Senate
KANMAR
Lowes
M & J Kettle Corn
MIA’s Mexican Grille
Mountain View A/C
Mountain View Gardens
My Big Fat Greek Restaurant
Nationwide Vision
Net Zero Solar
Nova Home Loans
R & R Express LLC
R.L. Workman Homes
RSC Equipment Rental
Sherwin Williams
Sierra Remodeling & Home Builders
Sierra Vista Carpet Cleaning
Sierra Vista Herald & Bisbee Daily
Review
Sierra Vista Tile, Inc
Slide-Lok of Sierra Vista, LLC
Southwest Gas Corporation
Southwest Home and Hearth
SSVEC/Transworld Network, Corp.
Truly Nolen Pest & Termite Control
United Country Real Estate
Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors,
David Burnett
Windemere Hotel and Conference
Center
To Register: www.sierravistachamber.org
2012 SACA Home & Garden Current Vendor List
SCAN TO VIEW OUR GOOGLE CALENDAR
MIA’s One Year Anniversary
MIA’s serves
delicious food
using only the
freshest ingredi-
ents in their sim-
plistic authentic
Mexican recipes.
Always keeping
in mind the
family tradition on which MIA’s was founded.
For more information call (520) 458-6427 or stop by
2097 E. Fry Boulevard
Page 5
2012 Health Fair The Mall at Sierra Vista hosted the 2012 Health
Fair presented by the Chamber. Over 40 vendors
where on hand providing valuable health
information to the public. Demonstrations ranging
from Tai Chi to a sample workout by Team
Beachbody were presented to those in attendance.
Pictured right are attendees taking advantage
of the many various health industry vendors.
Leadership’s Ft. Huachuca Day
Did you know that you can place your
business card size ad in the Vista for
only $50 per issue or your logo
for $25!!!
Sign up for 12 issues and save
$100 on a business card ad and $50 on a
logo placement.
Team Beachbody‘s Ribbon Cutting
Doug and Lisa are
Team Beachbody
Coaches and lov-
ing it! They serve
the Douglas, Ben-
son, Vail, Sierra
Vista, and Bisbee
areas. Their spe-
cialty is helping people get fit and healthy, lose weight,
and live happy lives. For more information call
(520) 456-4580
Page 6 The Chamber Vista
Thank you to all of our members who took the time to vote in the
recent Board of Directors election.
A total of 188 ballots were returned, which is nearly a third of the
current 608 members.
Congratulations to incumbents Pam Anderson of The Landmark
Café, and Michael Benson of TDY Housing, and new incoming
board members Elsie MacMillan of Sierra Toyota, Ken Cecil of
The Mall at Sierra Vista, Randy Sueskind of Cherry Creek Radio,
and Phil Vega of the Sierra Vista Herald.
The new Board of Directors will be installed at the Chamber’s
Annual Installation and Awards Banquet at the Windemere Hotel
& Conference center on Thursday, April 19.
This event will also include the presentation of our Business of
the Year Awards, so please mark that evening in your calendars.
All board members will be attending an orientation and retreat at
the Chamber, on April 28, facilitated by Steve Snyder, a 35-year
Chamber veteran and Vice President of the Western Association
of Chamber Executives.
The Chamber would also like to sincerely thank Mike Strange of
Summit Fitness, Glen Cobb of Sierra Suites, and Julie Phipps of
Southwest Gas, for running as candidates and allowing our mem-
bers to have a real choice when it came to placing their votes.
New Incoming Board Members
Pamela Anderson Michael Benson
Landmark Cafe TDY Housing
Ken Cecil Elsie MacMillan
Mall at Sierra Vista Sierra Toyota
Randy Sueskind Phil Vega
Cherry Creek Radio Sierra Vista Herald
Business At Twilight
Thursday, March 8
500 E. Fry Blvd, Suite M-4 (2nd floor atrium)
Hosted by
AristoCare
Assorted finger foods and deserts
Flavored coffees & Wine
50/50, Raffle prizes donated by Stuff N Baskets, Holiday Inn Ex-
press , Candlewood Suites and more
Don’t forget your business cards!
Installation and Awards Dinner
Join us as we install our new Board of Directors and
present the Large, Small and Home Based Business of
the Year Awards.
Sponsored by:
Windemere Hotel & Conference Center April 19th
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour (cash bar)
6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Dinner
7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Installation and Awards
Ceremony
To RSVP go to www.sierravistachamber.org
Page 7
Thank you to these members for renewing their commitment to the business community:
A Special Welcome to our New Members!
A-1 Custom Muffler -
(520) 803-0926
Black Rose Etching -
(520) 456-1526
CEMEX - (520) 378-2321
Cochise County Council for
CASA, Inc - (520) 732-7139
Cochise Land Office -
(520) 457-1444
Cochise Water Project -
(520) 559-5555
Executive Auto Detailing and
Car Wash - (520) 335-8812
G.R.A.S.P. Heating & Cool-
ing - (520) 364-7870
Grasshopper Landscaping and
Maintenance, LLC -
(520)-720-5022
Gwen Calhoun 4 City Council
- (520) 458-5280
KE & G Construction -
(520) 458-9594
Netmedix IT Solutions -
(520) 261-5911
Oils for Eternity -
(520) 234-0566
Organo Gold -
(520) 280-2035
Walston Homes, LLC -
(520) 803-9011
Air Evac Services, Inc.
Amerind Museum
Bakers Flor, The
Bedmart
Berean Preschool
Butterfly Gardens, Inc.
Cenpatico Behavioral Health of
Arizona
Century Link Communications
Copper State Communications
Dental Village
Desert Eagle Security
Dockter, Carol
Eco Water
Edward Jones Investments, Jeff
Lane
Great Clips
Huachuca Mountain Insurance
Agency
Landmark Cafe, The
McDonalds Hwy 92
New Jerusalem Community
Church
Olive Garden
Peacock Restaurant
Petit's Auto Care
Prestige Assisted Living
Rocky Mountain Images
Sierra Hearing Center, LLC
Sierra Vista Builders Supply
Sierra Vista Insurance Agency
Sierra Vista United Methodist
Church
Southern Arizona Investors
Southern Arizona Media
Productions
TonerWest
Turquoise Valley Golf
Course & RV
UPS Store
Village Meadows Baptist
Church
Village Profile.com
Visiting Angels
Executive Club Members
American Family Insurance
Arizona Water Company
Best Buy
Booz Allen Hamilton
BrightStar
CACI, Inc.
Campstone Transfer, Inc.
Castle & Cooke, Inc.
Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC
CGI
Cherry Creek Radio
City of Sierra Vista
Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc.
Cox
Data Systems & Technology, Inc.
Dental Village
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot
Farmers Insurance - Ginny Francis
Garden Terrace Assisted Living Home
General Dynamics Information
Technology
Horizon Moving Systems of Sierra
Vista, Inc.
Huachuca Mountain Insurance Agency
KKYZ Radio
Landmark Café
Lawley Automotive Center
Lawley’s Team Ford
Life Care Center
Long Realty Co.
Longhorn Restaurant
Mall at Sierra Vista
ManTech Telecommunications & Info
Systems
Mission Essential Personnel (MEP),
LLC
Mobile Marketing Blueprint
Nathan Williams, Law Office
National Bank of Arizona
New Frontier Animal Medical Center
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Patio Pools & Spas
Pioneer Title Agency
Pueblo del Sol Country Club
Restless Wings Photography
Rosemont Copper Company
Salient Federal Solutions
Sentrillion
Sierra Vista Ace Hardware
Sierra Vista Herald Bisbee Daily Review
Sierra Vista Regional Health Center
SMPLFY IT
Southeastern Arizona Contractors
Association
Southern Arizona Media Productions
Southwest Gas Corporation
Southwestern Eye Center
Stachel & Associates, P.C.
STG Inc.
Stilwell’s Learning Center, LLC
Suburban Extended Stay Hotels
Sulpher Springs Valley Electric Coop.
Sun Canyon Inn
TDY Housing, LLC
TMS - Ty Media Services
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
University of Phoenix -Sierra Vista
Campus
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wayland Baptist University
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Windemere Hotel & Conference Center
21 E. Wilcox Dr.
Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635
The Chamber Vista is a publication of the Sierra Vista Area Chamber 21 E. Wilcox Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 (520) 458-6940, Fax: (520) 452-0878
www.sierravistachamber.org Mission Statement The Sierra Vista Area Chamber promotes business and provides leadership for the improvement of the community. 2011-12 Board of Directors Executive Officers Chairman - Frank Gonzalez, Lawley Automotive Past Chairman - Tim Cervantes, Cerendipi Tees Chair Elect - Dee Dee Hoeft, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Treasurer - Michael Benson, TDY Housing Secretary - Jean Giuffrida, Long Realty Board Members Pamela Anderson - Landmark Café Jack Blair - Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Anita Farrow - National Bank of Arizona Wallace Ricks - ManTech Telecommunications & Info Systems Rick Shelley - Horizon Moving Systems Bradley Snyder - Sierra Vista Realty Joe Stroud - Edwards Financial, Inc. Susan Tawney - Pioneer Title Agency Nancy Nash - Stuff ‘N Baskets Nathan Williams - Nathan Williams, Law Office
Sierra Vista Area Chamber PRESORTED
STANDARD
US POSTAGE PAID
HEREFORD, AZ
PERMIT NO. 29
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
Chamber Staff Executive Director - Amanda Baillie, [email protected] Membership & Marketing Director- John Hargraves III, [email protected] Communications Director - David Elkins, [email protected] Office Manager - Leah Hastings, [email protected] Events Coordinator - Diane Erwin, [email protected] Administrative Assistant - Leah Barnes, [email protected]