Island Business News
July 1999

1999 Board of Directors

Brenda Larson
RE/MAX San Juan Island

Dave Baughn
Island Wine Company

Andy Duke
Duke's Sporting Goods

Linda Hemphill
Emerald Seas Diving Center

Susie Campbell
Susie's Mopeds

Larry Talbott Friday Harbor Septic

Libby Thompson
D.A. Davidson & Co.

Stephanie Picconi
Lakedale Resort

Kathy Johnson
San Juan Golf & Country Club

Chamber Contact Phone:
378-5240

Jody Price
Office Manager

Hi Everyone!
I took a month long leave from chamber duties but now--I'M BACK!!! I'm rejuvenated, revved up and ready to tackle things again! I met with the Economic Development Council (EDC) recently and as I mentioned before, the Chamber and EDC are consulting together with the town and county and building a firm foundation towards eventually having our EDC back on San Juan Island and are planning other projects in the near future. I have been meeting with professionals in this field and my overall understanding of these government agencies and policies has increased quit a bit! SEE, I'm not too old to learn!

4th of July
The Chamber has raised funds and put on the 4th of July Celebrations for many years and we have done a great job. It is a wonderful Island Celebration where we can get together with our friends and neighbors. I do feel bad that we raise all this money and it is gone in a day. (It is very time consuming and difficult to raise this money) It bothers me that we don't have an office downtown and for the other 11 months of the year we are barely keeping our heads out of the water.

In a conference with the Whidbey EDC I did find out that two percent monies could be used for the 4th of July expenses. I would love it if somehow we could arrange that funding for future 4th's. Also, many cities and towns host their community celebrations. Thanks to years of consistent donations, large and small, our celebration will once again be wonderful. The 4th of July Committee has been hard at work and they are still short on help and funds. It's not too late to offer your help for the street dance or cleaning up of the barge. I consider it a privilege to donate to this worthy community celebration, How about you?

Jody and Christine have really whipped the office into shape as well as the rack cards at the Chamber Kiosk. I have chatted with a few business owners this week, each commenting on more visitors being in town now, but the sales are not quite up to summer dollars yet. Perhaps with the better weather (hopefully very soon) will arrive the income we wait all year for! I look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting! I've missed you!