Welcome to New Members

Transcription

1 October 2012 In This Issue New Members Candidate Forum Benefit for Jim Albrecht Manhattan Christmas Stroll Fall Cleanup Day New Town of Manhattan Mayor Food Bank Fundraiser Hosts Needed Minimum Wage Increase Bozeman Job Service Meeting Minutes Montana Chamber Choices October Calendar Thank you Contact Us Phone: areachamber.com hoo.com Welcome to New Members Please extend a warm welcome to these businesses and thank them for their support of the chamber! Prochiropractic Dr. Jonathan & April Wilhelm 122 East Main St, Ste Montana Passage Company Dale Houska 109 South 6 th St BLACKHAWK! 275 Manhattan S. Road Bubby s Cuppa Joe Rhonda Gilbert 403 Jackrabbit Belgrade, MT MountainWest Studios Denise Buchner 298 Bridger View Dr. Belgrade, MT Montana Opticom James Dolan Jr. 144 Quail Run Rd. Bozeman, MT

2 Parklane Jewelry Jennifer Lowell PO Box Backyard Storage & U-Haul Sandy Tokerud PO Box 1436 Belgrade, MT Wolf Auto Center Brad & Jen Wolf 170 Travis Way Manhattan Rotary Club PO Box 651 Election Candidates Forum Thank you Tiny Tails K-9 Rescue for the delicious desserts and to everyone who attended. It was a nice and informative event. Also, thank you to the candidates that came: Ted Washburn HD 69 Steve White Commission Dist #3 Brian Gootkin Sheriff/Coroner John Vincent Public Service Commissioner #3 Kelly Flynn HD 68 Jon Tester sent in comments which were read by Paul Jones. Chamber Board Openings We are looking for a few good men and women to serve on the Board of Directors for the Chamber. The election occurs during the Annual Meeting in January. It is a two year term and you must be a member in good standing. The time commitment includes once a month board meetings and depends on your level of participation for the variety of events the Chamber is involved in. It is a working board and extremely rewarding to serve. This is your opportunity to be a part of Manhattan in a completely new and fun way. Please contact the chamber office for more information. Benefit for Jim Albrecht

3 The Jim Albrecht Benefit Event - "A Jim Jamboree Good Time!!!" is happening in Manhattan, MT at The American Legion Post 87 on Saturday October 20th. Jim Albrecht, a US Navy Veteran from , a community activist and a KGLT DJ on Saturday mornings Bluegrass show, was severely injured in a fall earlier this month. After an emergency life flight to Missoula's St Pat's Hospital, Jim had reconstructive shoulder surgery and spent several days in intensive care. Today, we re pleased to report he s at home and on the road to recovery. But treating his injuries left Jim with mounting medical bills. To help him with this financial burden, The American Legion Post 87 in Manhattan, where Jim is a pillar of the community, is staging a benefit event on Saturday October 20th. The event is FREE and starts at noon with a display of live and silent auction items, live music from Joe Man and Tom Murphy with Britt Smith, a no-host bar and food generously donated by Pizza on Broadway and Subway. Then, starting at about 4 pm, there will be a live and silent auction with auctioneer Reece Burns. Businesses from across the Gallatin Valley have donated a host of items to be auctioned off at the event. Auction items such as woodcarvings and sculptures from Big Sky Carvers, original art and photography, a 3-night stay at a local Manhattan guesthouse, an Alpengirl Girls Teen Summer Camp session, gift certificates from local businesses and more! There will be a pig roast starting at 5:00 p.m., provided by Kountry Korner Café, with delicious sides from the Garden Café, and Sir Scott s Oasis. After the live auction, there will be more live music by Buck Buchanan, Kostas, and Exit 288. C'mon out to Manhattan on October 20th for terrific food and live music at the "Jim Jamboree Benefit Event" for Jim Albrecht. If you would like to donate auction items, there s still time. Please contact Toni Bradley at If you want to help Jim but can t make the event, you can make a donation directly to the Jim Albrecht Benefit at Manhattan State Bank in Manhattan. Every penny contributed goes directly into the Jim Albrecht Benefit fund. Manhattan Christmas Stroll

4 Yes, it is that time of year to begin planning for the 2012 Manhattan Christmas Stroll. This year the Stroll will be on Thursday, December 6. Many locals consider the Stroll one of their all-time favorite events in Manhattan. The town really comes alive as people stroll down the sidewalks and gather in our local businesses to enjoy refreshments and conversation. Traditionally, Santa makes his way to Manhattan State Bank for pictures with kids, followed by hayrides, Christmas caroling, raffle winners being announced and fireworks to end the evening. We also have a gingerbread house making contest and a town lighting contest. So the question is... What part does your business want to play in the Stroll? Here are some suggestions for how your business can participate to make the Stroll a wonderful, fun and safe evening? Donate a Raffle Prize Sponsor the Hay Ride Host an Open House Help decorate Manhattan for the holidays Become a volunteer (It is fun and rewarding!) We strongly encourage you to participate, please contact the chamber office and let us know how you would like to involved. Planning meetings will begin in mid-october. Fall Cleanup Day in Manhattan Allied Waste dumpster available in the Railroad right of way on the North side of the tracks. OCTOBER 6, :00 AM - 3:00 PM Not Acceptable: Appliances, Furniture, Tires, and branches over 4 ft. New Mayor Welcome to Dave Rowell! Dave was appointed as Mayor by the Town Council after they received Tony Haag s resignation. According to the minutes of the Town Council meeting, Mr. Rowell already works for the Town as the Building Inspector. He has been instrumental in many things that have benefited the Town. He works very well with all of the team members. We will be inviting Mr. Rowell to a general chamber meeting in the near

5 future. Headwaters Food Bank Fundraiser NOT SO EARLY BIRD SCRAMBLE 3 rd annual FUNDRAISER FOR HEADWATERS AREA FOODBANK The Headwaters Area Food Bank serves, but is not limited to the following areas: Three Forks, Manhattan, Amsterdam, Churchill, Logan, Clarkston, Willow Creek, Harrison and Pony Sunday, October 7, 2012 Headwaters Public Golf Course Three Forks, MT 9-Holes Check-in: 12:30pm Shotgun start: 1:00pm Cost: $25 & TURKEY(frozen (@ 12 lbs) or

6 $40/person 4 Person teams scramble format ALL PROCEEDS (except greens & cart fees) WILL BE DONATED TO THE FOODBANK (therefore, no meal will be served) **TOWN PUMP WILL MATCH ALL $DOLLAR$** Hosts Needed For Foreign Exchange Students FAMILIES NEEDED TO HOST FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS A CULTURAL ADVENTURE AT HOME My name is Sierra Wolff and I'm a foreign exchange adviser working with ICES, a non-profit. We are in search of families to host international students for the upcoming school year. Exchange students will attend Manhattan High School for school year Students are years old and from Europe, Asia, Australia and South America Local families provide a loving home with a bed and meals for our students Host families get to choose their student out of hundreds that have applied for our program To find out more information or to host a student, please contact: Sierra Wolff sierrawolff@gmail.com Foreign exchange is an exciting opportunity to experience another culture in the comfort of your own home. You can fulfill the dreams of an international student by opening your heart and your home. Treat them like family and learn first-hand about their culture while you share American culture with your student. For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Sierra Wolff (or other host families), please contact Sierra at or sierrawolff@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration! Minimum Wage Increase Montana s Minimum Wage Will Increase $.15 January 1, 2013 (Helena, MT) Montana workers earning minimum wage will see an increase from $7.65 per hour to $7.80 per hour on January 1, The cost-of-living rose slightly and as a result there will be a minimal increase to the State s minimum wage, said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. This increase will keep those earning minimum wage on par with the increase in the cost-of-living. The increase in the minimum wage is based upon any increase in the U.S. City

7 Average Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for All Items (CPI) from August of the preceding year to August of the year in which the calculation is made. This amount is to be rounded to the nearest five cents. The current 2012 minimum wage rate is $7.65. Based on an increase in the CPI of 1.7% from August, 2011 to August, 2012, the calculation used for determining the minimum wage rate for 2013 is as follows: $7.65 X.017% = $.13, rounded to $0.15 Initiative 151, passed by Montana voters in 2006, added an annual cost-of-living adjustment to the state minimum wage. Information relating to Montana s minimum wage may be downloaded from DLI s website at mtwagehourbopa.com. Bozeman Job Service Serving all of Gallatin County The Bozeman Job Service will have a staff person in our Belgrade office(at the CWCTC ) every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 1-5pm. It is our hope that by having an office in Belgrade, we can better serve the customers providing the same services that they would receive if they drove into Bozeman. We recognize that during these difficult economic times and possible unemployment that people don t always have gas money to go back and forth. Staff are there to assist with job search, career guidance, resume & application assistance, helping people get registered with Job Service etc. We also have a staff person at the Three Forks Library, every Tuesday from 9-4pm to do the same thing for the people in Three Forks and surrounding communities. Minutes from the General Meeting, September The meeting was called to order by Paul Jones. Attendees included Sheri Langehough, Meg Anderson, Diana Stafford, Pat Figgins, Denise Buchner, Paul Jones and Susan Douma Treasurer s Report: Given by Paul Jones. Checking Account $8, Savings Account $30, Member Report: Currently there are 156 members. Old Business Shakespeare in the Parks Report Paul reported that Montana Shakespeare in the Parks performed in Altenbrand Park on 9/2/12 at 6:00 p.m. The weather cooperated for an outdoor venue for the production of The Twelfth Night for the season. I heard many comments from play-goers that the performance was particularly very good. Attendance was around Farmers Market Pat reported there are 4 markets left. August 23, the market began to pare down although it has been steady throughout the season. Money in so far $1817. Potato Festival

8 o Wrap-up Meeting the Potato Festival committee will be contacted and the meeting will potentially be scheduled on September 14 at noon in Pizza on Broadway. New Business New Board Members Suggestions included many great members of the business community, please consider running for a Board position. Terms are two years. The President will nominate 3 members in good standing to organize a list of candidates for board positions. Christmas Stroll Organizational meetings will begin in October. The Hay wagon will be contacted. We will probably need a new sponsor for the Hay Wagons this year. Marketing Committee Paul reported that Susan suggested that a marketing committee be formed to assist the chamber in marketing the various events that they sponsor throughout the year. Several members are interested in sitting on a marketing committee. This would be an open committee and members can be involved and attending meetings whenever possible. Associate Member What is the policy on Associate members? Pat board of directors term will be completed at the beginning of next year and she would like to continue with the Farmers Market. Phone Directory Denise Buchner from Mountain West Studios is assisting the Chamber with the phone directory this year and she will be producing a proof next week to begin the review process. A motion was made by Crystal and seconded by Diana. The meeting was adjourned. Montana Chamber Choices Post-Mortem on Health Reform Most of you have heard the news: the Supreme Court has kept the bulk of the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, intact. Since we know that this is here to stay, let s examine some of the details of the law that are important to small businesses. First, individuals will be required to buy insurance or pay a tax. Small businesses will not be required to buy or offer health insurance for their employees (who are, of course, individuals). But for some small businesses (under 25 employees) there is a tax credit in place. So if you do buy coverage for your staff, Uncle Sam might pick up part of the tab. The credit has now been available for a couple of years, so talk to your tax advisor and see if you qualify. Second, these individual employees must buy coverage, but businesses under 50 employees have no tax penalty if they don t. Businesses with more than 50 employees will need to offer and pay for their employees coverage, or they will face a penalty of $2,000 of even more per year per employee. If individuals are required to buy coverage, can they afford to? Well, that is where the premium subsidies come in. Low income individuals can obtain sliding scale subsidies to ease the burden of health insurance costs. Low income is up to 400% of the poverty level in Montana, over 80% of households will be eligible for a subsidy. The subsidies are the most expensive part of the new law.

9 The law creates health insurance exchanges, web-based buying markets for health insurance for individuals and small employers. While theoretically you can still buy coverage outside of the exchange system, these exchanges will be the only way to access the subsidies. When you go online to find coverage, each insurance company offering coverage on the exchange in your state will be side by side with all the others. The exchanges and all of the above will go into effect January 1 st, The hardest part for the business owners is in the details. If you do not offer group coverage now, and have fewer than 50 employees, you can just do nothing. No penalty, no requirements. If you have a health plan in effect, you will want to plan your options carefully. Montana Chamber Choices customers will be affected according to employer size as noted above, since we cover employers with 2-99 employees. Whether Chamber Choices plans can be listed on the exchange is unclear. One thing that is for certain is that Montana Chamber Choices is committed to staying on top of the changes and will educate its members on upcoming changes. October Calendar October 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 7:00 pm Election Candidat e Forum Fall Cleanup Day in Manhatt an Jim Albrecht America

10 n Legion Happy Halloween Thank you so much for being a member of the Chamber! Please do not hesitate to contact us with your comments and suggestions. We are here to serve you! If you would like to make a difference in the Chamber and our community then please come to our general meetings the first Tuesday of every month, 6:00 pm at Senior Center. We would love to hear your opinion!