Chester Chamber of Commerce meet
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Chester Chamber of Commerce's monthly meeting was held on October 18, 2011, at Reid's Harvest House.
CEO Donald Schreiber, the new owner of Victor's Medical Center Pharmacy (formerly Victor Drugs), and the new manager Jamie McCoy were introduced and welcomed to the Chester business community.
Directors nominated and approved Chris Diddlebock, Chester School District Superintendent, and Dan Colvis, of Colvis Investments, to fill two chamber director vacancies as "interim appointments" until the general election in March of 2012.
Vice President Ron Woodworth reported on a very successful golf tournament. The chamber's 14th annual golf scramble was held at the Chester Country Club on October 1. Twenty teams participated in this year's event. Thanks to all the hole sponsors, those who donated prizes, the team sponsors and golfers, Rozier's Country Mart for donating the food, and Pechacek-McClure for donation of the dessert.
Volunteers are needed to help at the chamber's annual "all you can eat" chicken dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Friday, October 21, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The cost is $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children under 10. Carry outs may be ordered the day of the dinner by calling 618.826.3316.
The Chester historical "Then and Now" tour on October 2, 2011, sponsored by River City Renewal, LLC, was well attended. The tours began at the Landmark Inn, with Mike Coffee providing a general idea of how the downtown area and riverfront used to look and the many businesses that once thrived in those locations. Informational guides were available at many sites from the river to the Library. The guides provided general knowledge about the site and answered questions. Everyone on the tour received a commemorative publication, written by Mike Coffey. The booklet has a lot of old pictures with a historical overview about many of them. Booklets are still available and may be purchased for $10 by calling the Chester Chamber office at 826.2721.
President Tom Welge was one of many who spoke at the Public Hearing on October 12, 2011 regarding the Chester Mental Health Center. On behalf of the all the members of the chamber, he expressed strong opposition and concern over the potential closure of the center. It is clear that the Governor's Office does have a closure plan. The chamber realizes the horrible impact this closure would have on the community and many surrounding counties. Members will be asked to reach out by letter, email, or phone expressing voices of opposition. Letters should be sent to the CGFA (Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability) and the Office of the Governor. The chamber's monthly meeting will be a lunch meeting on Tuesday, November 15, at the Chester Eagles Club. Senator Dave Luechtefeld, Representative Jerry Costello, Jr., and representatives from Chester Mental Health and AFSCME will provide updates about the center and answer any questions. The lunch meeting will begin at noon. Reservations are not necessary. The public is invited and you do not have to be a chamber member to attend. Information may be obtained by calling the chamber office at 826.2721.
The Chamber and the Tourism Commission's annual BBQ was held this year at the Chester VFW Hall on October 7. The fundraiser was well attended with good food prepared by the VFW.