April 10, 2008

Town turns out to save Lind chamber

By Jennifer Larsen

News editor

The community answered the Lind chamber’s call for help Tuesday with a show of support that nearly filled the dining room at Slim’s Bar and Grill.

By the end of the day, a good portion of the group had paid their dues or had turned in the form with payment to follow.

And the newly revitalized Lind Chamber of Commerce set a new meeting night. The chamber will meet on the second Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the dining room at Slim’s Bar and Grill starting on May 12.

A total of 40 individuals attended one of the two meetings, including the three current officers: Cathy Rainey, president; Janet Rasmussen, secretary; and Sharon Reeve, treasurer. The slate of officers was reelected at the March meeting and included vice-president Vivian Loomis.

The first order of business for the chamber board was to explain the chamber’s purpose and goals.

“A lot of (the people) said they didn’t know what we do,” Rasmussen said. “Some didn’t know it exists. And then there was a misunderstanding that you had to be a business to be a member.”

Through the course of the two meetings, people suggested ideas of ways for the chamber to support the community, encourage new businesses to locate in Lind and to help existing businesses.

Those ideas included establishing a location for an information booth, reprinting the town’s brochure, cleaning up certain areas of town, providing work place training, acquiring recycling bins, working with the town council on ordinances and zoning to prepare for new businesses and construction, affordable housing and establishing a welcoming committee.

“It’s not limited to just certain things,” Carin Monroe said. “If you have an idea, throw it out there.”

One idea to accommodate more residents and encourage more ideas is to create a blog on the Internet for community members to provide input. It’s accessible, more convenient for those with busy schedules and offers a way to suggest ideas for those intimidated by meetings.

At both meetings, the chamber board held a regular meeting and conducted business. A scholarship committee was formed to review applications from Lind High School students.

Volunteers voiced interest in a welcoming committee that would gather information about the town – amenities, services, businesses, etc. – and distribute information about where the packets are available for newcomers to town.

The group also discussed inviting Adams County Economic Development Analyst Roger Krug, Engineer Bill Johns and Building and Planning Director Loren Wiltse – who attended the afternoon meeting – to discuss how the chamber could work with the town council on ordinances and zoning codes.