Deer Park, Washington
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Evergreen Truss & Supply PO Box 1283
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Yoke's Deer Park (509) 276-7775 810 S Main Street
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802 N. Cedar 509-276-7280
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Specializing in Real Estate from Spokane to Canadian Border. 404 S Main St. Deer Park, WA 99006 509-276-5445
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Words from your PresidentApril 8, 2008 To those that still read my message THANK YOU!! Our speaker for February was Mick Miller, Superintendant of Deer Park School District, with a presentation about the upcoming renovation of the high school. That’s a 42 million dollar renovation!!! That is an immediate sales tax return of $630,000.00 to our City’s budget. That’s one of the direct impacts; now let’s talk about the indirect impacts. Groceries, restaurants, fuel and other expenditures by the contractors and employees will be substantial. Actually, that is only if we are ready to provide the services and the customer care that is needed. Let’s capture these monies and keep them flowing throughout our community. The bid for the renovation will go out this summer and should be completed by 2010. Mick stated that our school district has grown from 2040 students in 2004 to 2306 in 2008. If you calculate that out in the terms of classroom needed, that is an additional 10 classroom in just 4 years. I am so looking forward to the Performing Arts Center. This portion of the school will be available for use by our community as well. Our Arts Commission will be able to have theatre presentations, we may be able to host symphonies, and the Miss Deer Park contestants will be able to show their true talents. Speaking of Miss Deer Park, as you know the 2008 representatives were chosen on March 22nd. As I am retired from the day to day organization, I got to sit in the front row and see what everyone else saw. I was so pleased with my predecessors, Stephanie Curtis, Karen Watson and Kaytee Clough. They did a beautiful job. I’d like to thank all of the businesses and individuals that once again supported the program and enabled the committee to present $4,100 in scholarships. One problem we did have this year and have had for many years is the lack of a piano. I don’t believe any of our schools have a decent one. The new Performing Arts Center will have rooms for two pianos. If anyone has one or knows of someone that is getting rid of an acoustic upright piano or a grand piano please contact Dan Huffman at the Middle School. March’s meeting was also very informative on the upcoming election on May 20th for 1/10 of 1% sales tax for updating our emergency communications system. Due to ancient technology our fire, police, ambulance and other emergency services cannot communicate amongst themselves or sometimes even communicate at all due to dead spots. This sales tax would enable our emergency crews to acquire updated digital systems, radio towers and cover maintenance costs. It would also cover reinstating crime check and instituting a reverse 911 for alerting people of fire evacuation, terrorist threats and/or other dangers in your area. I believe in light of loosing our hospital it is essential that we support these updates as it only takes one life to remind us of our shortcomings. April’s meeting is on TAX DAY “April 15th” @ Deer Park Bowl!! Our speakers will be representatives from the City Of Deer Park. Our focus will be streets, building and over-all health of our City. In addition to Bi-mart coming to town, I just heard the possibility of a new hardware store occupying the ever too long vacant Fair Park Plaza Center next to Auto Zone. This should be a very enlightening meeting. Think Sunshine, I know my attitude needs it. Peggy
January 16, 2008 Happy Holidays Everyone!!! I have written this message over and over in my mind several dozen times, then an interesting event happens and I have to start over and here it is already January of 2008. Yes, I did make a New Year’s resolution this year. Unfortunately for you it was not, “Stop Procrastinating”. To better my mind, my body and my soul is my 2008 personal resolution. To continue to direct, to communicate and to support our Chamber membership is my presidential resolution for this upcoming year. So with that in mind and out of mine, some communication. Last year in November Rig Riggins, YMCA President & CEO, presented information on the upcoming collaboration between the YMCA and YWCA to build two new facilities in Spokane. Ground breaking for the 52,000 sq. ft. facility located on the Newport Highway behind Frank’s Diner should be early spring. Yes, we sure would rather have this facility located closer to or within our community, but the local population needs to be around 30,000 people in order to financially sustain a facility of this magnitude. We are growing, but we don’t want to do it too fast; I know I live here because the smaller size. Mr. Riggins was very receptive to Gena Keller’s suggestion in regards to school and/or public transportation between Deer Park and the facility. Michone Preston, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity, sent me a letter in late November. As an excavation contractor, I have been aware of the lack of affordable housing for families in Deer Park for many years. The Habitat for Humanity program offers families (that just quite can’t get into a home on their own) an opportunity to do so with pride and they also tend to learn some fabulous skills to boot. When the time comes, I’d love to work alongside all of you on the homes. I may not be operating the equipment, but I can lean on a shovel with the best of them. If you didn’t get the memo, Chamber arranged the City’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on December 10th. It’s ok if you didn’t get the memo because it almost didn’t get to me. As I understand it, the Arts Commission has been the sponsor in the past, but this year they were unable. Cordelia stepped up to the plate on behalf of the Chamber and quickly arranged for treats, beverages and entertainment from the Riverside High School Chorus. Our December open and welcome guests’ meeting was fun. At least I thought so since the ice-breaker involving biodegradable toilet paper was my idea. We learned some interesting facts about some interesting people, members and guests alike. We welcomed over 10 new guests that hopefully will become members since they had so much fun. Once again our very own, Cordelia Jeffrey, makes the Chamber look good. Cordelia is this year’s Winter Festival Honored Citizen. Cordelia has been doing a wonderful job for our Chamber and has been extensively involved in Winterfest over the last two years. Please help us let Cordelia know she is appreciated. January’s meeting this week was green. My shirt was too, until I dropped cherry cheese cake all down the front. I was quite the entertainment for our Miss Deer Park Royalty. Grant Van Burien with Inland Power & Light spoke about energy saving incentives and Jim Haynes with the City of Spokane Green Zone told us how business recycling will not make you money, but it will save you money. Grant and Jim welcome your phone calls and questions. Their numbers can be obtained by calling the Chamber office. Our very own, John Swiderski, owner of Deer Park Computers, educated us about the January 1, 2009, State Of Washington mandatory electronic product recycling plan. John is the chairman of this State Board that is working with huge companies such as, Apple, Hewlett Packard and Toshiba and the WA State Department of Ecology in order to create a recycling program. Costco.com has a trade-in program for PCs, LCD Monitors, Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Game Systems and MP3 Players. You may make money on your trade-in, but most importantly your trade-in will be recycled and not put in a landfill. The recycling company behind this program is called GreenSight and they are located in the in Boca Raton, Florida. GreenSight does claim that they conform to a "Zero Landfill/No Export" Policy. I’ll probably be on the front page of the paper again next week in regards to the closing of the hospital so I won’t go into great detail. I spoke to the City Council this evening explaining that Providence has agreed to allow a community advisory group to be involved from the beginning and till the end in their community assessment procedure. We may not be able to prevent the hospital from closing, but we can look to the future and truly identify our area’s medical needs and work with Providence to supply them. If you have any suggestions please let me know. One last thing! The board would like to bring back the Bravo Award. Customer service and excellence in business within our community needs to be recognized. If you would like to nominate a person(s), business or businesses, let Cordelia know. On a quarterly basis, we would like to recognize excellence amongst ourselves. The Bravo award will include praises, pats on the back and a $25 bank gift card. That could put approximately eight gallons of gas in your vehicle or buy you seven coffee drinks. Better than a kick in the tush!! Oops, another last thing!! ENJOY WINTERFEST THIS WEEKEND!! Many volunteers have put in many hours to make this one a great one. From what I’ve heard and seen, looks like they have some great activities planned. You can find me by, “Yes the snowmobiles” helping out a little. My message has become a novel, I’m sorry but as my father says, “You now know what I know”. Until I know some more! See you this weekend. Your President, Peggy S. Coyle
October 25, 2007 Hello All- I am probably the one and only President that continuously apologizes for her tardiness. Apparently, this letter is supposed to be sent by the first of each month. I have come to conclude that if I prolong it, I can cover two months at once. Therefore, this letter will cover September and October’s monthly meetings plus numerous other issues that I think will benefit all of you. Our September meeting with our speaker from the Department of Natural Resources was very informative and most of all, the only meeting where bugs and lunch go together. Our speaker, Guy Gifford, was so informative regarding those pesky pine beetles that kill our trees. Last month, Randi Rinker, Nathan Greene, Cordelia and I attended the Colville Highway 395 meeting. I felt this meeting was primarily a meet and greet meeting and I am hoping that the next meeting scheduled for December 10th at the Airway Heights Chamber of Commerce building will have more substance. We did learn that as of September 13th there had been 59 collisions recorded in the area of Colville South and North of Wandermere. The three fatalities were between Deer Park and North Loon Lake. Since that meeting, three additional people have died on Highway 395 just south of Colville. We have had somewhat of a personal safety theme going at our last two luncheons. Mary Gillmore from Medstar was an absolute delight and very informative with her presentation on Air Medical Transportation. Medstar is offering registration and membership benefits. If you go onto their website www.nwmedstar.org you can register your home with section, township and range or GPS coordinates. By doing this, Medstar will be able to land close to your home to ensure quick response. The best deal is the membership package. If you subscribe to Medstar and use their services they will cover the difference between what your insurance pays and their billing. On September 20th I attended the Washington State Transportation Summit at the Convention Center in Spokane. Typically it was a government sponsored event that continuously mentioned the lack of funds for Washington’s roads. Not surprising, I believe that the state’s concentration is on how congestion severely affects our state’s commerce. Once again, the focus is on the west side of the state. The squeaky wheel gets the grease!!! I’ve always lived by the motto, “If I am irritating enough, they will do anything to shut me up”!!! Write our representatives, congress people, and legislatures!!! Lives are more important than Commerce!!! Another bummer of a meeting was the Deer Park Hospital, “What are we going to do now”, get together. I am sorry if I sound sour, but Holy Family does not sound too supportive even though our hospital has a niche and is currently making money. The economic impact that it will have on Deer Park will be substantial as the hospital currently employs a staff of around 80 people. This will not be a dead subject anytime too soon. Holy Family’s board will not decide on its fate until February of 2008. Once again, let’s make noise. Please attend the meetings, support is what the hospital needs. Pumpkin Lane is here again this weekend, Saturday, October 27th from 1-3 pm. If you are too fuddy duddy to dress up, remember there are Pumpkin Lane t-shirts for sale at Yoke’s and Rosauer’s. Hi my name is Peggy and I am a volunteeraholic. You know I love to organize for my community and the kids, but we need to sell these t-shirts as the profit covers our postage, paper and ink. We do not advertise outside of Deer Park, but as it is the 11th year for Pumpkin Lane, expect more children this year. We estimate that around 2,000 kids will be safely treating this year. Parents will learn that your business is supportive of our community and that you are located in Deer Park. Yeah, 2000 kids but even more impressive is the three to four thousand adults that will be visiting Deer Park. This year is guaranteed to be even busier as so many of you have stepped forward and are sponsoring extra activities. Thank you all that participate and donate. Remember 1 in a 100 raffle tickets are now for sale. The winner will receive $1,000 in cash! Sandy Hobbs from Knights E-Z dock won last year with just (1) $20.00 ticket. I’m sure she bought hers from me. I’ll put your ticket aside so bring your 20 spot to the November meeting. I’ll be waiting for you on the 20th at Pauline’s Place. Our speaker will be Rig Riggens, President/ CEO of the YMCA of Spokane. If you haven’t heard, a new facility is soon to be built at the North Y. Now the winning ticket, sold by me, will be drawn at our December 18th meeting at Deer Park Bowl. Bring a guest to this meeting as we are going to get to know each other a little better. No program, no singers (unless you’d like me to entertain you) just plain visiting. Have fun this weekend at Pumpkin Lane and I’ll see you at next months’ meeting at Pauline’s Place.
August 29, 2007 Fellow Members: Please do not mirror my Presidential duties against the un-timeliness of my President Letter. Please feel free to read my quarterly message in segments. It’s great for filler reading material for appointments, bedtimes, or traveling. I would like to welcome our new member, Rainbow Springs Ranch and say congratulations to Real Estate Marketplace on their major remodel and expansion and thank them for all that they contribute to our community. Our Chamber Golf Tournament in June was a blast thanks to our very own secretary, Cordelia, Evergreen Truss & Supply’s, Dwight Tipton, Dean Morse and Mike Culp and our very committed Miss Deer Park Royalty. The golf tournament is the Chamber’s only fundraiser that we host that aids in covering our operating expenses. It was a very classy, fun and profitable event, thank you all that volunteered their precious time. We also had a celebrity participate that signed a football for the auction. If you didn’t get clued in on this, check out the Chamber’s golf tournament website and also find wonderful photos of all the participating teams, volunteers, and the awards (Now that was fun; Perks of being President). June’s Chamber Luncheon at our local library welcomed our very own City Sheriff, Cliff Custer. He was quite humorous for a Policeman. I enjoyed his experiences and was interested by his belief that Deer Park’s crime has not accelerated, but rather our reporting of smaller crimes comparatively to other areas is abundant. During my presidency I have made it a point to attend city council, city planning and other pertinent meetings. At the City Council meeting on June 6th, I and several others of Deer Park’s constituents expressed their belief that revising the City’s “Six Year Transportation Plan” was necessary. In the end it was agreed that Airport Road and Cedar Road be moved from number 15 and 16 to 7 and 8 on the list. The supporters realize that the move up the list does not mean those roads will be repaired or upgraded before number 9, 10, or any other road. Roads are repaired when monies or grants become available for that road. We realize the number issue is basically a tool in obtaining grants. The more it looks like your City supports the cause (Light Industrial Infrastructure), the more likely funders are going to fund. Our July Chamber Luncheon featured Clayton/Deer Park Historical Society with Mr. Bill Sebright speaking. It is always so interesting learning what and who came before us that had the foresight to build a community that is so full of potential. We have everything that matters in Deer Park; People that care, wonderful schools and so much opportunity. Bill would love to hear from you. His website is claytondeerparkhistoricalsociety.com!! Wow, that’s almost worse than supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Also, thank you all that participated in my attempt at group brain storming. We did get some good ideas, thank you! Joe Tortorelli spoke about economic development within Deer Park and reviewed what he has been working on at the July 18th City Council meeting. He spoke regarding a proposal being reviewed by the state to assign approximately 3% of the R.E.E.T. monies towards funding to create job development grants. Currently the job development fund is funded by monies the cities donate via the public works trust fund. Settler’s Days was July 28th! If you missed my parade announcing, “I Am Sorry”. I had a wonderful time and it only reaffirms that a small community is a great place to live. August, oh August!! It was so exciting as the JUB Preliminary Design Report for the Airport and Cedar Road infrastructure was finally ready. Yes, big numbers were flying, but if you take it one step at a time or as we say now days, “phase one, phase two, phase ……”! It will eventually happen. Getting the preliminary engineering completed is a huge Phase 1! It was a very thorough report and JUB’s engineers made a point to emphasis that Avista would not have invested so much money in extending gas and power down Cedar Road to Enoch Road and to over 15 airport hangers if it was not a profitable investment. There may have not been an official Chamber Luncheon in August, but that did not stop your elected board from meeting. It was scant, but efficient. We would like to accomplish many different things by next summer. We have some great ideas and direction that we would like to follow for this coming year. We’d like your input regarding fundraising, networking and issues pertaining to Deer Park business. I guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself and you will make a difference. Are you convinced? Contact me personally at 509-276-9125 or 509-993-0747. Our September meeting is sure to be interesting as we have the Department of Natural Resources speaking about the current fire status, how to protect our homes, what to do about neighbors diseased trees and the repercussions of starting fires. That meeting is Tuesday, September 18th at the Pizza Factory. Noon to 1:00 pm. Sure to be some hot topics discussed. Our Miss Deer Park Royalty, Leslie Stansbury, Summer Jones and I have begun planning the 11th Annual Pumpkin Lane, Saturday, October 27th 1-3 pm. If you haven’t been contacted and would like to participate, let me know 276-9125 or 993-0747. Wow!! If you got this far, I commend you and thank you. Please note that our December meeting will be an open forum guest day. Believe me; it will be an entertaining way to network. See you September 18th at the Pizza Factory. Peggy S. Coyle
June 6, 2007 Wow, what a Day!!! What a GREAT day!! As a mother of a graduating senior at Deer Park High School I am frantically preparing for his departure. His leaving is not my biggest concern as he is a very capable young man with a very exciting future, but rather the celebration and all the interesting events and responsibilities that go with his leaving that are killing me. When the time comes, I have decided that I will say to my son, “I Love You, Go Live, Go Laugh, and Go Learn, that is your job for now”. Saturday, June 9th at 6:00 pm the Deer Park High School Class Of 2007 will be celebrating their commencement. Talk about a place to search for summer hires!!! I know these young people and believe me, we should be very proud of them. Our May meeting was so extremely gratifying with all the information that we received concerning our community. We met a new member, John Kidwell (All Surface Roofing & Waterproofing) and we welcomed a guest, Bill Robertson (Horizon Credit Union). Bill said he’d work hard at putting together a team for our Chamber Golf tournament, Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 12:00. Come join us as I’ll be golfing, if that’s what you call it. Our speaker, Roger Krieger, filled us in on the current and future construction projects within the City limits. He mentioned new storage complexes, waterline improvements and the construction of a new water storage facility off 12th street. Roger said there has been a tremendous increase in residential building permits so far this year. Things are happening in Deer Park; look around, ask around and have a property appraisal done, you’ll be surprised. Several of us Chamber Members are working with the City to continue supporting Light Industrial Infrastructure Development and Transportation Improvement. If you believe Deer Park could benefit from this Light Industrial Development, please call me at 509-993-0747. Today, Wednesday, June 06 @ 7:00 pm a meeting at City Hall will address these factors for all that would like to come and express their thoughts and opinions. I would like to welcome AutoZone as our newest Chamber member and would like to invite them to join us at an upcoming meeting. Man, I could go on and on, but you could also stop reading. Don’t Yet, Please!!! Thank You All for Passing the Deer Park High School Bond. That truly shows confidence in our community and our children. Our next meeting is at the DP Library on June 19 @ 12:00 with the notorious Deputy Cliff Custer on the state of the local police patrol. Come join us as I have three questions for all to answer. Come to the meeting to find out what they are!!!! Can’t wait to see you all again, Peggy S. Coyle
April 30, 2007 Hello all-friends: Well, I had a great first day of President Ship. Besides the comment on how nice I looked all cleaned up, I was asked by many people in so many words, “Are you crazy, Chamber President?” Ten years ago I would have said, “I DON’T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED.” Today I say, “I want to continue to make a difference in something that I can, something that I feel I’m good at.” I enjoyed helping to bring us all together. We all share more than just Chamber; we share our Community, our Children and our Commerce. With that I’d like to welcome our new businesses Pauline’s Place and SNAP Microenterprise. I have had many friends/critics that have said, “Peggy, you are one great leader!” I think and I know it is more like; “A great leader is one with many mini-leaders suggesting what to do.” That is what I am and what I expect of all of you, my friends and my critics. Give me your Ideas. I hope all that attended gained something from our April meeting. COHE is a program that helps employers and (employees) to take the frustration out of the L & I work accident claim procedure. A business joins by filling out an application form (provided by the Chamber Office upon request). This service is FREE and basically mediates between employee, doctors and employer!! They help to get the employee medical attention quicker, which in turn gets them back to work quicker. Any of us businesses that have experienced L & I claims will benefit from this FREE service. Thank You Mike Miller of YOKES for your Presidential Chamber Service. You Rock!!! ANNOUNCEMENT- Leslie Stansbury from Grrs 'N Prrs/Ruff 'N It Dog Day Camp- Voted President-Elect (Leslie was curiously absent that meeting!!) The Best for Last—I am so excited. On April 18th I attended the City Council meeting regarding, “Allocating $47,500 for an Analysis of Infrastructure for the Industrial Park Area by the Deer Park Airport”. They passed our request unanimously! This analysis will give us the information we need in order to secure funds to improve the Light Industrial Park. This is a very positive step toward growth for our community. In closing, please be sure to make our May meeting to be held at the Pizza Factory. Our speaker will be Roger Krieger from the City of Deer Park. Roger will be able to tell us about all the positive growth going on in Deer Park. Look forward to seeing you all there and to a year of positive changes! Thank You Peggy S. Coyle
February 28, 2007 Dear Members, I would like to start with thanking these businesses for there membership in the Deer Park Chamber of Commerce: Freedom Signs, All Surface Roofing & Waterproofing, Inc., Deer Park Bowl, Anytime Fitness, and Realtor Warren Schick of Real Estate Market Place. Thank you for the opportunity to promote your businesses. Our Golf Committee is looking for a few volunteers to help with organizing and administrating our annual Golf Tournament. At this time I would like to congratulate Sandy Hobbs of Knight E-Z Dock for winning our $1000 raffle at our Christmas meeting. We would like to apologize to our members that our speaker, Deputy Sheriff Cliff Custer didn't attend February's meeting, he sends his apologies as well. We will invite him back at a later date. We are coming closer to ordering those welcome banners for our main streets here in Deer Park, if you would like to order one with your business name please contact Cordelia at the Chamber office or Randi Rinker of Washington Trust Bank, Deer Park branch. We are still looking for a couple of people for Board of Directors positions. If you would like to be involved in what kind speakers we have at our meetings, be present for grand openings of new businesses, and make decisions for the good of the Chamber, please contact Cordelia at the Chamber office 276-5900. We are very excited to have Joe Tortorelli, Economic Development Specialist speaking at our March's meeting which will be held at Pauline's Place on the corner of Crawford and Main Streets. We have a wonderful lunch menu planned. Please remember to RSVP for space is limited. I would like to thank the Chamber for giving me the opportunity to lead us this past year with hopes of steadily moving forward. In closing, I would like to welcome Peggy Coyle as our in coming President of the Deer Park Chamber; I know she will lead us in to the new year. Thank you, Mike Miller
December 14, 2006 Dear Members, Happy Holidays to you and yours. The New Year is coming up fast I hope it was a great year for you and your company big or small. We are living and working in an area of the state and country that is growing rapidly with many opportunities. You as entrepreneurs probably already know this. We at the Chamber hope that we help in a small way and look forward to working with you in the up coming year I would like to welcome our two newest members: The Clayton/Deer Park Historical Society and private citizen, Beverly Turner. The Chamber's Issue Committee is working on bringing inviting flags to the street poles of Deer Park. If you would like to help with any suggestions or ideas please contact Randi Rinker with Washington Trust Bank. Don't forget to buy your 1 in 100 raffle ticket for your chance to win a $1000 extra Christmas cash. The drawing will be at the Dec. 19th meeting at Divot's Restaurant. Mike Miller October 1, 2006 Dear Members, With the summer months behind us and fall is upon us, it is now time to get ready for the holidays. Pumpkin Lane is less than a month away and I hope that every Deer Park business will show their spirit and participate in this annual event, which is celebrating its 10th year. Special thanks go out to Peggy Coyle, Dan and Leslie Stansbury, Sandra K. Coleman, Miss Deer Park royalty, Fire District 4, S.C.O.P.E., local law enforcement officers, and volunteers for their time and effort to make this event fun, safe and exciting for the kids in our area. Pumpkin Lane is Saturday, October 28th from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. It is also time to buy your 1 in 100 raffle ticket with a chance to win $1000.00 extra Christmas cash. You can purchase your ticket from a Board member at their business or from Cordelia at the Chamber office, just call 276-5900 or email her at Info@DeerParkChamber.com. Tickets are just $20 each with only 100 tickets sold. The drawing will be held at our December 19, 2006 Holiday Luncheon meeting at Divot's Restaurant. I would like to thank Jerry Krause of Gonzaga University for speaking at the September 19th Chamber meeting and all the Chamber members for coming to hear him speak. I want to let everyone know that in October we will have Sandy Moya from Spokane Credit Bureau speak on identity theft, fraud and how to protect ourselves. I would like to welcome our Newest Chamber Member, Ridler Real Estate of Loon Lake. We are still looking for a few people to fill positions on the Chamber Board. Please remember to shop Deer Park this holiday season. Mike Miller, President
August 7, 2006 Chamber Members, I apologize for the lateness of this message; everyone seems to be very busy this time of year. I would like to start with thanking our members that volunteered at our Chamber Golf Shamble. I would also like to thank all of our sponsors and teams for the true spirit of the game, which came with really wet weather on the day of our golf tournament. With the vacation season upon us we will not have a Chamber meeting in the month of August, but we will resume our meetings in September. I would like to give special thanks to Dwight Tipton for his diligent work and leadership on our Board of Directors through some rough times. I would also like to give special thanks to Peggy Coyle for stepping up to become President April 1, 2007. The Chamber is in need of more Board members, if you have any questions or would like to become a Board member please call the Chamber office at 276-5900. Many thanks again to all of the above. Mike Miller
May 23, 2006 Chamber Members Wow! How time flies when you’re having fun. Sorry for the late message but like some of you we are going into the part of the year that is one of our busiest. Just like some of you I have hiring problems. The pool of people in this area is small. I did however hire some of the students that went though the Chamber program and seem to be working out well. We will be doing it again next fall. Look for more information to come. The Chamber Golf tournament will be here before you no it. This is a big part of our budget for next year and would hope you have contacted some of your vendors to participate it this year’s event. It is June 14th at 1:30. Contact the chamber office for more details. The next meeting will be at Jim’s Smokin' Barbeque the guest speaker will be from Washing State Labor & Industry. This should be a good one. All of you must have some question that would help you save some money. Make it a great summer and profitable one. PS. There will be no meeting in August. Thanks Mike Miller
April 11, 2006 Dear fellow members I would like to thank you for the opportunity to help lead the Chamber through another great year. The Chamber has made great progress the past few years thanks to Dwight Tipton and L. Roe McGrath. I plan on continuing with what they have started. The school program has come full circle with eight kids ready to hire. Just call the Chamber office for the phone number for Mrs. Fink, she has the list of kids. We are going to try to have another class by the end of the school year. Last but not least don’t forget about this year's golf tournament. It should be a good one. Dwight and his crew have been working on this tournament all winter. Our Chamber Golf Tournament is a big part of our funding for the year. This month's meeting will be at the Deer Park Library with Subway catering. This month’s sponsor will be Yokes Foods. The guest speaker will be Larry Larson from WSDOT. Please RSVP. Mike Miller
March 14, 2006 Congratulations to the eight students from Deer Park High School who completed the Chamber’s first Student Employment Assistance Program. Our thanks to Dwight Tipton and Mike Miller from the Chamber Board of Directors for working this program to help our Deer Park youth be productive and successful in the business world. Twenty students started the program and only eight completed the course. Our thanks to Mick Miller, Superintendent, and Paulette Fink, Deer Park High School, for helping the Chamber bring this program to a reality. It is important that we as a Chamber support the program by hiring these students. Please call Paulette Fink at 464-5900 to ask for details about the students and what they may offer to your business. This will be a continuing program throughout the school years and if you would like more information, please contact Paulette or one of the Chamber Board Members. Once again, many thanks for those working with this program and congratulations to the students for completing the course. Thanks to all for your support these past few months as I had the honor to be the Chamber President. Mike Miller will assume the role as of April 1, 2006. As always, I wish you the best in your business endeavors and I hope for your success. Cheers— Roe McGrath Chamber President
February 6, 2006 We would like to bid a found farewell to Teri Cameron who has served so well as the office manager for the Chamber. She is using her knowledge and schooling in her position with the City of Spokane and we wish her the best. We also wish Chuck Standen well as he enters the retirement phase of his life and we appreciate his contributions to the Chamber and to the area. Our Student Employment Assistance Program is off and running and we have met with our first cadre of students. More news to follow as we develop and administer this exciting program. At January’s Chamber Luncheon, each of the Board Members took a few minutes to report on their respective industry and their thoughts for the future. The Board represents a broad spectrum of businesses and each Board Member was very optimistic about 2006 and the economic environment in the Deer Park area. Growth is happening and business people are optimistic with an eye on the managed risk inherit in business. Two main concerns to watch are future energy costs and a major downturn in a significant California market. We know energy costs are rising but hope California stays stable or continues growth for the next few years. For further details on the economic forecast refer to the Spokesman-Review’s Business Forecast in the February 4, 2006 edition of the paper. We invite all to attend the monthly luncheon, as it is our goal to make that hour very beneficial to you and your business. Upcoming speakers in the months ahead include representatives of the ski resorts, Small Business Administration, Washington State DOT, and local governments. If you have a specific need and would like us to request a speaker along those lines, please let us know by calling the chamber office. Once again we wish you all the best in your business endeavors. Cheers— Roe McGrath Chamber President January 5, 2006 The Chamber would like to thank Mayor Mike Wolfe for his service these past years as mayor of Deer Park and extend a welcome to Mayor Robert Whisman. We look forward to prosperous years ahead as the business community and the city government work together to promote business growth in the city of Deer Park and the surrounding area. We, as a chamber, are excited about the program the chamber board has developed with the Deer Park school district. The Student Employment Assistance Program has been developed to help high school students prepare for employment through mentoring, instruction, and introduction to work environments. Our goal is to train students to be fully prepared to enter the work force and to be productive and profitable employees with an end result of having a pool of employees from which employers may draw. This program will start this month and if you would like more information please call the chamber office at 276-5900. On the whole, business is up and we obviously want that trend to continue. Therefore, we wish you the very best--and profitable--coming year. Cheers— Roe McGrath December 7, 2005 First things first. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! We at the Chamber hope this year has been profitable and successful to you and hope the same for next year. Our New Year’s resolutions, not that I ever set--and keep--any, hopefully will include more profits and business growth. The economy, if things should continue, should help meet those higher goals and profits. I have talked with some of you, from real estate, retail, constructions, and services and you have mentioned an increase in sales this past year. Let’s keep up the good work and keep promoting business in the Deer Park area. I’ve seen our businesses expanding, moving to better locations, adding additions to current sites, and a new strip mall come into Deer Park with more on the way. Growth is coming and the business look is optimistic. That growth could be helped along for one lucky individual who purchases the raffle ticket that brings in $1000.00. Please see a board member to buy a raffle ticket. Proceeds go into the chambers operating fund and your help is greatly appreciated. The drawing will be at the Chamber lunch, Dec 20th at Divot's Restaurant (Deer Park Golf Course). Please come and enjoy a holiday celebration with your fellow Chamber members. Best Wishes— Roe November 7, 2005 Two thoughts. Tis the season for good times with family and friends and of course the Holiday shopping that will consume our money and time for the next seven weeks. I’m a big believer in keeping as much of this shopping in Deer Park as we can so let’s spread the word that Holiday gifts, food, and decorations are right here in Deer Park. To help keep shopping in Deer Park, let’s make festive our places of business and ensure they are clean, presentable, and free of snow (if we ever get some snow). The Chamber is excited to introduce the Employment Education Training that will teach high schoolers what they need to do to become productive employees. More details to follow as we work through the issues with the schools to implement this training in the Spring of 2006. As a Chamber, we are working to make a positive difference in the business community here in Deer Park. May this Holiday Season be a benefit to your business and if we at the Chamber may be of assistance, please call us (509) 276-5900. Cheers ~ Roe October 6, 2005 Just a few random thoughts for October. First one is this. September 17th does not ring out as loudly as July 4th but on this day in 1787 the congress agreed upon the Constitution of the United States of America. This wonderful document allows us the freedoms we have today and is a template for many countries around the world. Coming this November, we’ll be able to use our freedoms by voting in our city officials. For the October lunch we have invited those who are running for city positions to state their platforms before the chamber. Next thought. Business is growing in Deer Park and we welcome the new businesses. As business grows on the former fairgrounds and elsewhere in town and as new home sales continue to climb we can see that Deer Park is a great place to be doing business. As we grow, it is important that each business and commercial landowner maintain his or her business or properties to ensure a professional decorum. A well-kept property attracts customers, presents a professional image, and complies with city codes and prevents the need to amend current codes or create new codes that may not be business friendly. May your business be successful and if we at the chamber may be of assistance, please call us (509) 276-5900. September 7, 2005 Senator Lott (R-Miss) tells of his 150-year-old house on the shore of the Mississippi coast that sat 12 feet above sea level. He said the house has withstood everything thrown at it until Katrina arrived and washed away the house and neighborhood. The power of this storm is unimaginable and the devastation is hard to comprehend. Obviously we as a community, and as a country, share in the grief, frustration, and hope for the people in the Gulf States region. I’m sure in our own ways we will contribute generously to those who need our help. How will the events in the south impact us in the Inland Northwest and specifically in our community? That will remain to be seen. Obviously the higher price of fuel and higher cost of the by products of petroleum will have an impact on how we do business. In light of all that has happened, or may happen, I think it is important that we in the business community remain optimistically balanced within the realm of the current national events. The economy is strong and the experts say it may take a short-term blow, but the economy will then recover. Here’s where we step forward as leaders by refusing to panic and by refusing to take the pessimistic point of view. I’m not saying we put on rose-colored glasses and pretend all is well. I just think we need to continue to smartly do business and be optimistic with our employees, our customers, the community, and our business associates. And just what impact do we as small businesses have on our community? In light of all that has recently happened, it may be very beneficial to attend the September lunch meeting where Carolyn Logue, the Washington State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business will speak on the “Small Business Impact in Washington State.” Please attend. I, and the chamber board, wish you the best in your business endeavors and wish the best for those hard hit by the storm. Cheers— Roe McGrath
August 4, 2005 A recent study of vacation habits showed that 17 percent of Americans do not take a vacation and of those that do take vacations, 20 percent check business email and 30 percent call the company while away. I’m guilty of the latter two. I did call and I did check email but I did take a vacation this summer. Sort of a business vacation as the company with which I’m affiliated had their convention. But the business part was a small percentage of the time I spent on the road vacationing, visiting family, and recharging the old batteries. I did get a little sun relaxing on a beach. It is August and it is the traditional time for vacations as we try to get ready for the new school year and winter—we enjoy the last days of the summer heat. We all understand that running a business can be so time consuming and if we are a one person shop it is hard to get away. But I hope we are able to take a couple of days or a couple of weeks to get away and see the world from a different point of view. So far, other than living out of suitcases for a season, the only really big negative thing I have found about a vacation is that we have to come home and get back to work. Cheers— Roe McGrath
July 1, 2005 By way of introduction, my name is Roe McGrath and I will have the opportunity to work with the Chamber as the president until March of next year. I currently own the Subway® in Deer Park and another Subway® in Spokane Valley. I have enjoyed doing business in Deer Park for the past five years and I believe the business environment in the Deer Park area is going to only get better. But first things first. The opportunities we have would not be possible were it not for this great country in which we live. As we celebrate America’s anniversary, I would like to thank our Creator for this land and to thank those who so bravely defend it. May God continue to bless America. It is my hope over the next few years that we, as a business community and as a chamber of commerce, will enhance the business environment in the greater Deer Park area by encouraging business growth, by attracting new business into the area, and yet maintain the Deer Park character. If you would like to share your input with the chamber board and me please call the chamber office at 276-5900. I look forward to working with you and wish you the best for your business. Cheers— Roe McGrath
June 1, 2005 Dear Chamber of Commerce Members and Community: Thank you to all of those who were able to attend the last meeting at the Clayton Historic School Building. The food was tasty and the program was inspiring and we couldn’t have done it without our members who are working hard to make Deer Park a great place to work and live. It is an honor and utmost pleasure to serve for you this month as your June Chamber President. My roots go deep in the area as my Grandparents lived right across from the Clayton School House. About forty years ago, I spent many young years playing at the school grounds and running wild and free, as kids will soon be doing once again. My mother graduated from Deer Park High School. I traveled around the world and found my way back to the area three years ago. Living at Horseshoe Lake and working in Deer Park is a dream come true. Although much has changed, a whole lot has remained the same. It is the voice of our community to maintain a safe, clean and attractive area that we can work in, raise children in and retire in or near. It is our goal here at the Chamber to be the voice of the local business community, to promote growth and economic development to ensure our businesses thrive and to be involved in the future planning of the community. As a nearby resident and local business manager, I am very interested in the success of our three main focuses which are Deer Park’s Reputation, it’s Curb Appeal, and the Service it’s businesses provide. If we all work together as businesses to create an attractive clean and safe town and if we all provide friendly, fast quality service to our customers we will continue to enhance our Reputation as a community to attract other quality businesses and we all will prosper. Education is also a very important topic on everyone’s mind. The better the education system and facilities the more likely we will are to attract families who wish to live and work in the area. We are hopeful that the passage of next year's bond will be our year to begin the enhancement of our education facilities to provide a more competitive learning environment for our children, many of which will be our future community leaders and business owners. Please join us as we meet on June 21st, 2005 at Divots at noon. The food will be fantastic and you will be surrounded by others who all want to prosper together. The time is now to unite as a community of businesses and families to begin the future planning of our community. Call a fellow business affiliate and make a plan to mark your calendar and come to help make a difference for Deer Park! We can share ideas for our future. Your ideas count. Get involved. It’s worth every minute of your time. Deer Park is a fantastic growing community. Here you will find people helping people on every corner and in every building. It is a great place to work and live. The future is now. We hope to see you on June 21st. You may call Teri Cameron at the Chamber of Commerce office at 276-5900 for meeting details. Very Sincerely, Tammera L. Kirk
May 5, 2005 Dear Chamber Members, Community and Visiting Site members: What a privilege it is to be Deer Park’s May Chamber President. As an almost lifelong resident of Deer Park, I am so grateful and pleased to live within this community. My family moved to Deer Park when I was ten years old, I graduated from the current High School and then moved away for about 8 years. After the birth of our first child 16 years ago, my husband and I decided to return to a community full of family, friends, and a place that we felt it was safe to raise children. Like many of the old timers, I remember when Zip’s was Dairy King, when Napa was Brown’s Grocery Store, and the Golf Course was all fields. Yes, it saddens me sometimes that our community is becoming closer to Spokane everyday, but as my husband and I own an excavation company (7C’s Construction, Inc.) growth is our lively hood. We cannot stop the growth nor should we try, but I believe we can play an active part in its positive direction. Reputation, Curb Appeal, and Service. Just like in business we as a community need to keep the focus on these three main issues. We as businesses, residents, and schools need to have integrity, be welcoming, and reflect an overall positive reputation. Our businesses, our homes, and our schools need to be kept clean, maintained, and up to date. Most importantly is the service we provide. Once our visitors are in our doors we need to assure them that we can deliver what we have promised. Deer Park is certainly budding not only in the residential side, but also in the commercial avenues. We need both in order to keep our community viable. Take a drive out to the Deer Park Golf Course and you will see the impressive residential expansion that is in progress. As I write this letter our company has been integral in the development of two sub-divisions with over 50 lots each and with another possible subdivision in the near future. There will be over 100 new families living, shopping and working within the area. They will need increased services and we need to make sure they are available. From the commercial side, we just received bidding requests from a general contractor to begin the development of the fair grounds property into a retail shopping center. With all these fabulous plans come needs. We need to make sure our children, the essence of our community, have what they need to succeed and therefore can also become integral participants within our community, possibly neighbors, coworkers, or service providers. Ultimately, education is the basis for success. With new families come children; with children come all kind of needs including educational ones. So far, our community has backed our school district in helping to provide quality-learning environments for our children. Our learning institutions should always be safe, friendly and up to date so our children can always be on the cutting edge when they leave our homes. Our current high school is none of these. Like myself, this school is aged, it needs us to focus our attention on it and support a facility renovation, update, and expansion. I urge everyone to utilize your rights on May 17th and VOTE “YES” on the Deer Park High School Facilities Bond. Be assured that I respect your opinion whether for or opposed, but regardless please be informed and use your power and VOTE. I want to say thank you to all of you that have made Deer Park a community to be proud of, a community that emulates family, friendship and most of all a place where all of our life long dreams can come true. It’s Been A Pleasure, Peggy S. Coyle
Presidents' Message - April 20, 2005I want to thank Dwight Tipton for serving as the chamber president for the past year and a half. He leaves a legacy of a better financial status, as he was able to accelerate a fiscal recovery for the chamber that obviously puts us on better financial ground. We appreciate his service and he will continue to serve on the chamber’s board of directors.Since we do not yet have a permanent president of the chamber, the board members will rotate the presidency amongst themselves serving for one-month periods as president. The board is open to nominations for president.Our thanks also to John Simpson, Pat Ehrbar, and Mike Kerbs for serving as chamber board members as their terms have expired.We, as a chamber, acknowledge Carl Justice, CJ, for his over 30 years of business in Deer Park. He has not only served the business comminute but he has and will continue to serve children as a Shriner’s clown. We wish the best to CJ and Janelle in their retirement.Penny Loomis, manger of the Deer Park Airport, addressed the chamber at our monthly luncheon. Her topic was how much the airport impacts our business climate here in Deer Park. Other than the airplanes flying overhead, many people in Deer Park do not understand what impact this airport has on our community through jobs, both direct and indirect, and tax revenue. I then thought, and I know I’m stating the obvious here, of how vital every operation, both private and public, is important to the Deer Park area. I hope we as chamber, and the good people of the Deer Park region, understand how our business and government interests impact this area and how important it is to support these interests in our region.May you enjoy the spring and the symbolic refreshing it brings as we turn our attention to the joys of summer.Cheers—Roe McGrath |
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