|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||||
|
Editorial - October 2002 |
||||||||
|
Chamber leadership could flex muscle October 23, 2002 - It speaks well of the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce that during their fall retreat this past weekend their program featured officials from the city of Lincoln, Lincoln County, the Lincoln school system and the Economic Development Association. Certainly these business leaders could have been more self-centered and dwelled on mutual business problems instead of hearing about schools and government. But they didn’t. Among the discussions during the session in Blowing Rock were per-pupil expenditures in Lincoln County, dealing with water shortages brought on by a the long drought, and coping with revenue shortfalls. These business leaders, many of them active as community and church leaders, realize that good schools and good government enhance the quality of life in Lincoln County, and that translates to a good business environment. At the conclusion of the meeting they did share ideas on how to recruit new members and improve services for the chamber, which already boasts nearly 500 members. The chamber is involved in numerous activities that promote the community. It hosts a spelling bee that raises money for schools, provides scholarships, holds a political forum and fosters new talent with its Leadership Lincoln program. Participating businesses often identify with these projects as sponsors. The chamber now has its own Web page, providing members with quick identification to those browsers who are shopping for goods and services. During the retreat some members urged the chamber to become even more involved with issues affecting the community. The chamber recently took a stand in favor of allowing mixed beverages sale in the county. Voters recently approved that measure. Perhaps it is time for the chamber to become and advocate, as well as a promoter for the community. The leadership on the chamber has been strong, with veteran Ken Kindley at the helm and board chairs like Marty Eaddy and Billye Roland. The chamber’s board is usually made up of influential and successful members of the community. With this type of leadership the chamber can’t be ignored when it takes a stand, whether its on mixed beverages, teacher pay or taxes. When it speaks, people will listen.
|
||||||||
|
© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
||||||||
|
|