Chester Chamber Meets
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The monthly Chester Chamber of Commerce meeting was held at Reid's Harvest House Tuesday, April 19, 2011.
Directors were nominated for a three year term: Richard Allison, Jason Coffey, Bertha Mae Blechle, Dan Geisen, Don Welge, Steve Hayes and Gwendy Garner.
The annual dinner will be held at the Chester Country Club, Friday, June 17. Social hour will begin at 5:30 with dinner at 6:30. The meal will be catered by Big Vic's BBQ. Entertainment will be by the Dave Caputo Bank. Tickets will be on sale at $20.00 each and must be purchased prior to the dinner.
Nominations are being accepted for the Chamber's Citizen of the Year Award which will be presented at the annual chamber dinner. Letters of nomination should include any example of community involvement. Nominees need not be a member of the Chester Chamber of Commerce. Letters may be sent to the chamber office at P.O. Box 585, Chester, IL 62233, or by email at chesteril@frontier.com, no later than June 1, 2010. All nominations will be carefully considered by a committee comprised of Chamber Directors.
The Chester Chamber is looking for a volunteer to work at the Human Service Center's 36th anniversary celebration at Lau-Nae Winery in Red Bud on June 2, 2011. Volunteer waiters will compete with Sparta and Red Bud chamber volunteers for the highest tips as they wait on guests during the evening.
President Tom Welge thanked all who worked, sold tickets, bought tickets, or supported this year's annual fish fry which was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on February 25th. It was a very successful fundraiser thanks to everyone!
This year's $1,000 scholarship recipient will be presented with the award at Chester High School Honor's night on May 11, 2011 by Director Chris Blechle.
Volunteers are needed to help at the upcoming "Birding the Bottomlands 2011" on Saturday, May 21, 2011. The Chester Chamber has teamed up with the Middle Mississippi Partnership and others to hold the event in the area. Birders of all ages can experience a chance to view migratory songbirds in their most vibrant colors. Ten locations will be staffed for visitors to come and watch. For pre-registration or information contact the Kaskaskia River Project Office at 618.284.7160 and ask for Laura or contact via email at Laura.M.Brandt@usace.army.mil by May 20, 2011.
The recently tabled House Bill 94 was discussed. The House Bill, as written, would have inmates counted in the county where they originally lived and not where they currently live, e.g., Menard or other prisons throughout the State. The Chamber Directors voted to oppose any future or pending legislation that would change the residency of inmates from Randolph County.
The City of Chester clean up days will be May 31, June 1 and June 2, 2011. Anyone with trash they would like hauled away should contact the city to make arrangements for pick up.
Chief Coffey reported that the police department applicants may now fill out and submit an application on line at chesterpolicedepartment.com.
The city council has approved the installation of panic buttons for employees at City Hall which will be included the contact with CTS.
Economic Development Director Chris Martin commented on the major loss of long time friend and community leader Dave Mevert.
The next chamber meeting will be at Reid's Harvest House on Tuesday, May 17, beginning at 7:00 a.m. All chamber members are invited to attend the monthly meetings.