Councillor Dave Mendicino afforded the board the opportunity to view the new designs for the Memorial Gardens renovations showing and the ice surface reconfiguration, the addition of 2nd and 3rd story offices and corporate boxes and other improvements. Once the current commitments of the Gardens are complete, it will shut down for the summer to allow for the renovations. The North Bay Battalions have already announced their opening game, Friday, October 11th.
Director Chris Minor attended a meeting with MNR officials, a representative from First Nations, a representative from our MPP’s office and Lake Nipissing Stakeholders Association (LNSA) representatives. Chris stated that the MNR did not move from their position of more restocking than has been seen in the past, in fact the group was issued a permit for the current level only. LNSA has provided options for the MNR to improve the fisheries of the lake but the MNR were not open to these suggestions at this time and are working with an advisory committee on a 20 year plan for the lake. The Chamber requested a seat on the advisory committee at our last board meeting and have been provided a position on the advisory committee.
President Shogren had issued a media release recently advising the public to be cautious of unlicensed door-to-door salespeople, contractors, etc. Consumers have already advised the Chamber that they have been approached recently at their homes for items such as roofing, driveway sealing, landscaping, etc. President Shogren stated it is important that you have an agreement in writing and have accurate information to contact if you are not satisfied with the work. Also cash deals allowing the consumer to not pay the taxes becomes an issue as many consumers are not aware that they may become liable for the workers on their property if something should happen. President Shogren strongly suggested that consumers call the Chamber office for names of members in the area that can provide the same services and encouraged them to Shop Locally.
President Shogren thanked Celebrate Ontario for their recent announcement of $75,000 for Summer in the Park; it is very encouraging since the province provides these funding dollars for growing and expanding festivals.
President Shogren stated it is getting shameful that our gas prices continue to be at least 10 cents higher than any community, in any direction around us. We have been silent too long and the local retailers are being told by their corporate offices to increase prices in North Bay which is taking a lot of money out of our economy. The local retailers truly don’t benefit from the price increases and there is absolutely no solid reasons for the price jumps that occur.
A resolution regarding development charges was also passed. See page 19 of the April 2013 Chamber Newsletter for details.
To read more about Chamber news, member events and programs, click to view the April 2013 Chamber Newsletter.
President Shogren thanked some of the members of the committee that worked to Bring OHL Home, that were in attendance at the April board meeting. He also commended the full committee that worked very hard on the campaign and were successful in bringing the Battalions to North Bay.
Councillor Mendicino brought the architectural drawings of what is proposed at Memorial Gardens to the April Chamber board meeting for board members to view. The City unveiled the new design earlier in the week.
Pictured, left to right: Patti Carr, Executive Director of the Chamber; Past President John Strang of U-Need-A-Cab; City Liaison Councillor Dave Mendicino; Vice President Jake Lacourse of the Clarion Resort Pinewood Park; and Director Brad Gavan of Canadore College.
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