Chester Chamber of Commerce's monthly board meeting
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Chester Chamber of Commerce's monthly board meeting was held May 18, at 7:00 a.m. at Reid's Harvest House.
The Chamber's $1,000 vocational/educational scholarship was awarded to high school senior Mollie Laramore on May 5 during Chester High School's Honors Night.
The board approved 17th Street Bar and Grill to cater the annual banquet on June 18 at the Chester Country Club. Tickets for the dinner are $20.00 per person which includes appetizers, dinner, and entertainment. The highlight of the evening will be the announcement of the Citizen of the Year.
Nominations may be sent to the Chamber Office at P.O. Box 585, Chester, IL 62233 and should be turned in by June 5. The nominee does not need to be a chamber member.
Director Jason Coffey and his wife will represent the Chester Chamber at the Human Service Center's 35th year anniversary celebration at Lae-Nae Winery on May 20. The Coffeys will compete with Red Bud and Sparta Chambers for tips.
Chief of Police Ryan Coffey talked about a new incentive he will initiate to make chamber members and the community aware of crimes and investigative results. The information will be forwarded via email to chamber members.
According to Alderman Carole Abernathy, Mayor Eggemeyer has appointed a committee to review the maintenance property code and make recommendations to the City Council. A public meeting held recently was well attended and many concerns about the current policy were discussed.
The Chester Community School District is facing financial hardships due to the State of Illinois' economy problems. Superintendent Rebecca Keim reported that unless something changes the Pre-K program next year may need to be cut. So far, the only major cut in the district has been the High School's Co-Op Program.
A security alarm system has been installed at the Chester Welcome Center, along with "emergency alert buttons" at the volunteer's station and the chamber office. These are in addition to the security cameras which monitor the inside and outside of the building 24/7. At any time, the Chester Police Department's Dispatch Office can monitor activities at the Welcome Center.
Director Jason Coffey talked about the Welcome Center and the recent negative report by a St. Louis television station about the cost of the center. Chester citizens should be proud that the town was awarded the grant which led to construction of the beautiful facility. Many visitors take advantage of the facility seven days a week. The Chester Chamber of Commerce Office is also located in the facility.
Chester's Rent One has a new store manager, David Riley. The Chester store will begin a major renovation project in the near future.
There will not be a June board meeting due to the annual dinner. According to the by-laws, no monthly board meeting will be held in July.