Minutes of the Madoc & District Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Madoc Public Library & Cultural Centre

1. Call to order by Rob Price, President
2. Introductions: Rob Price, President
Tressa Kirby, Vice President
Ellen Wilson, Secretary
Jim Bakker, Coordinator
Cliff Andrews, Madoc Market Vendors

3. Approval of Agenda: Approved
4. Minutes of the January 17th meeting: Moved by Jim Bakker & seconded by Ellen Wilson that the minutes be approved read. Carried.
5. Business arising from minutes: none.
6. Correspondence: i. Letter from the Municipality of Centre Hastings confirming the $10,000 grant from the Parrott Foundation for improvement of the playground equipment at the Cenotaph Park .
7. Business arising from correspondence: None
8. Financial Report: There is $5094.61 in the bank. There are 68 paid members to date. The money form the radio station account ($598.92) has been transferred to the Chamber of Commerce.
9. Old Business: i: Madoc & District Main Street Initiative: Three committees have been struck (marketing, economic development, design) to undertake the recommendations of the organization. Copies of the Mainstreet report will be available at the Library and the Municipal Offices. The Chamber will purchase 10 copies that will be made available to local businesses wishing to borrow one.
ii. Chamber support for signage : Richard Peck is investigating the availability and costs of new parking signs and events banners for the downtown core. He will work with Andrew Redden to work out a presentation to the Municipality.
iii. Tax Management Seminar - January 26th. Over 50 people attended this meeting, making it very successful. Contributions from the communities of Centre Hastings, Tweed, Stirling and Marmora help to pay the expenses. Community Futures, Bancroft would like to hold a governance seminar for local community volunteer groups. There was a discussion of how best to contact the various groups.
iv. Membership Renewals are coming in. There are 68 paid up members to date.
v. Community Radio: The program is moving ahead with Dave Lockwood making an application to the CRTC and looking for available frequencies. The Madoc water tower is the suggested location for the transmitter. Tressa Kirby suggested that a form support letter be sent out to all local businesses asking for their signature on the letter. Jim Bakker will do a walk-about with the letter in the down town core.

10. New Business: i. Comfort Country At A Glance: The publishers of this year’s directory will be visiting area businesses concerning advertising. This publication will be more of a calendar of community events than a business directory..
ii. Skate Park Events: The Skate Park Group will find out in early March whether they will get their $50,000 Trillium grant. To raise funds they will be “selling” sponsorships for parts of the playground and a lottery on a car sinking through the ice on Moira Lake will be held. They have already purchased some new equipment with $10,000 from EODF and CFDC. There will be more to come if EODF funding is released. Concrete Power Magazine will be doing a two page spread on the Skatepark.
iii. Retail Events: The tentative agenda for the Market Square events was presented. They are a s follows and are subject to change.
May 13 - Pre Mother’s Day Yard Sale
May 20 - Grand Opening for the season
May 27 - Bring a friend day
June 03 - Lets build a garden day
June 10 - Short Story Day
June 17 - Fathers Day
June 24 - Support your team day
July 01 - Canada Day
July 08 - Games Day
July 15 - Teddy Bear Picnic
July 22 - Christmas in July
July 29 - Gold Rush Days
Aug.05 - Art in the Park
Aug.12 - Goofy Hat Day
Aug 19 - Guess the value day
Aug 26 - Nostalgia Day
Sept 02 - Back to the 60’s or Disco Day
Sept 09 - Apple Day
Sept 16 - Community Services Day
Sept 23 - TBA
Sept 30 - Pumpkin Day
Oct. 07 - Final Market day for 2006

Next Meeting: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, Tuesday, March 21st, 6:30 p.m. at the TWO LOONS RESTAURANT.

12. Meeting Adjourned.