Business Council Statement on the New State Budget
By Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
"For the first time in three decades New Yorkers are seeing the passage of three consecutive on-time budgets. Governor Cuomo, the State Senate and the State Assembly have once again worked together to produce a budget that limits spending to less than 2 percent while closing a $1.3 billion gap between projected revenues and spending - which the Business Council strongly supports.
This budget includes a number of tax incentives and reforms that The Business Council advocated for, including the phase-in of a 25 percent reduction on the corporate franchise tax rate on manufacturers. It also includes unemployment insurance reforms which will provide much needed stability to the unemployment system and give businesses a clearer way to manage their unemployment insurance costs, while restoring the state's Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to long-term solvency.
The budget also adds to the cost of doing business by extending assessments on electric, natural gas and steam energy (a total of $1.5 billion), and by increasing the minimum wage - a measure whose impact will be felt by many businesses, with total cost estimates as high as $2 billion per year. Though the budget includes a minimum wage tax credit for students, which mitigates the adverse impact on employers, The Business Council would have preferred a straightforward training wage. And, while the final agreement on both of these measures is an improvement over the original proposals, they are not consistent with a strategy to promote economic growth and the creation of good-paying jobs.
We look forward to continuing our work with the Governor and Legislature to stabilize and improve New York's economy while creating new jobs."
Chamber Golf Tournament July 26 – NEW Format and Location
Join your friends with the Chamber of Commerce to play the prestigious Upper Course at Peek'n Peak – a true golfer’s destination course! This championship caliber, par 72 course offers optimum playing conditions in a spectacular setting. Earning a 4.5/5 star rating from Golf Digest, it is a past host to the PGA Nationwide Tournament.
The Annual Chamber Golf Tournament will be held Friday, July 26, with a BRAND NEW FORMAT this year. Teams have a choice of playing either a Four Person Scramble or a Two Best Ball format. Both will be played simultaneously, and the purse will be divided with prizes awarded for each format. All golfers who choose the Two Best Ball format are required to provide their handicap and home course and MUST register prior to the July 19th deadline. If you are not registering a complete foursome we will do our best to place you on a team within your choice of format, but cannot guarantee placement. All golfers who register after the July 19th deadline will be placed in teams playing the Scramble format.
The price is just $165 per golfer for either Chamber members or non-members. The deadline to register and choose your team format is July 19th. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Tom Baressi Scholarship Fund through the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.
Check-in registration begins at 9:30am, with a shotgun start at 11:00am. Lunch will be served on the course. The day will close with a cocktail hour and heavy hors d'oeuvres as part of the winner’s prize celebration at 6:00pm. Raffle prizes will be drawn at random during the day and ready for pickup when you finish golfing.
In each format, the prize purse is as follows: 1st place - $75 per player; 2nd place - $50 per player; 3rd place - $35 per player.
Registration is now open online, or you can call the Chamber at 484-1101 or 366-6200.
Peek'n Peak Resort & Spa is at 1405 Olde Road, Findley Lake. From I-86, use exit 4 at Findley Lake. Take NY-426 south, then head south on County Road 615/Mann Road. Turn right onto Griffin Road, then the first left onto Old Road. Peek'n Peak will be on the right.
Many thanks to our sponsors who make this event possible. The Gold Level sponsor is DFT Communications. Silver Level sponsors are: Community Bank, N.A.; Cummins, Inc.; Fredonia Place; Lake Shore Savings Bank; Lawley-Tradition LLC; National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.; OBSERVER; and The Post-Journal. Lunch is sponsored by Liazon Corporation.
State Legislative Breakfast Set for April 19
Each year the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce provides opportunities for its members to have a direct conversation with elected officials from each level of government. This year, the State Legislative Breakfast will be held April 19 at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. 
Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Andrew Goodell will provide their insights about legislation in Albany, and be available for questions from the audience.
The State Legislative Breakfast is sponsored by Affinity One Federal Credit Union, Buffamante, Whipple, Buttafaro, PC, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Mattress Company, KeyBank, Lake Erie Regional Health System of New York, Nestle Purina PetCare, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, Serta Mattress Company, SKF Aeroengine North America, the State University of New York at Fredonia, WCA Hospital, and WJTN/WWSE/WKSN/WHUG/WQFX.
The State Legislative Breakfast is just $15 per person. You can register online through the Chamber’s web site and online events calendar, or call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101.
Thank You for Your Input
Recently, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce asked members to log in on our website and answer a few short survey questions. Many of you did just that and we appreciate your time. 133 Chamber members answered five quick questions on Chamber events and training programs, and we wanted to get back to you with the results.
When asked about the importance of Chamber networking events, 26% of respondents said they are very important, while another 57% said they were somewhat important. 75% said social interaction and meeting new people was the most important aspect of the Chamber’s networking events, while 23% said learning something new was important to them. Thursday evenings are the most popular night for holding Chamber networking events, with 26% of the answers, while another 19% said Wednesdays would be good.
Only 23% of our respondents have ever attended a Business Over Bagels training event. 76% felt Promoting Your Business would be the topic they would most like to learn about in an upcoming session.
These survey results will help the Chamber to better meet the needs of our members in the year ahead. We are planning a number of events to assist our members in their need to improve business connections through networking and to learn more about how to better manage certain aspects of their business. Watch for information coming soon on additional Chamber events for 2013.
Mayville-Chautauqua Chamber Board Meeting
The Mayville/Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce held its March Board Meeting on March 11, 2013 at Webb’s Captain’s Table Restaurant. Attending were Board Members Ken Shearer of Chautauqua Marina, James Barrett of Northwest Savings Bank, Bruce Stanton of Athenaeum Hotel, and Ben Webb of Webb’s Year Round Resort, as well as Chamber Member Supervisor Don Emhardt of the Town of Chautauqua, Greg Krauza of the County Chamber and Community Chamber Development Corp., and Chamber Coordinator Deborah Marsala.
Topics included upcoming events: Mayville Yard/Garage Sales on June 1st (rescheduled from May 25th); the County Chamber Membership Blitz being held April 15 through May 10th; and planning for a Mayville Farmers Market. Special thanks were given to Don Emhardt for leading the way in having the snow from the Town of Chautauqua parking lot brought to Lakeside Park to construct the Winter Festival snow castle. Peek’n Peak was thanked for loaning a snow maker to the Winter Festival Committee to make clean snow to cover the snow castle. Chautauqua Institution was also thanked for loaning the Committee a generator to run the snow maker.
The next Board Meeting will be held on Monday, April 8th at Webb’s Captain’s Table Restaurant at noon. All Chamber members are welcome to attend, as well as non-members who would like to attend. Please call Chamber Coordinator Deborah Marsala if you plan to attend at 753-3113 so the additional reservations can be made.
Polar Bear Swim Benefits Mayville Food Pantry
The 2013 President’s Day Weekend Winter Festival, recently held February 15th – 17th in Mayville NY, featured a Polar Bear Swim that benefited the Mayville Food Pantry. We would like to thank all those who supported the ‘Polar Bears’ and the Food Pantry with their generous donations totaling $375.
The brave ‘Polar Bears’ included Jeff Valentie, Rob Collins (who jumped in twice), John and Katie Hostasa, DJ Shaw, Jason “Supa” Reed, Wilford Randall Comcone, Amber Ludwig, Michael Ludwig, Thaddeus Smith, Alcerve Klinger, Ron Caldwell, and Kandis Stofko.
In 2012 the Mayville Food Pantry provided 33,280 meals for 474 people in 200 households. They rely primarily on grant funds and donations from local businesses and organizations but also individual and church donations as well as local fund raisers. The funds were presented to Bonnie Smith, Coordinator of the Mayville Food Pantry located at St. Paul’s Outreach Center, Mayville, by Deborah Marsala, the Coordinator for the Mayville/Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce.
Web Strategy Seminar April 17
The Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association are proud to help sponsor Social Media Meets ROI – a workshop which will be conducted by the Small Business Development Center on Wednesday, April 17.
As online competition becomes more intense for businesses, the SBDC will help companies to explore whether their business is prepared, if potential customers can find them online, and whether they are maximizing profit opportunities through the web. Topics will include Ecommerce, search engine strategies, utilizing social media for business, and video and content marketing.
The session, also co-sponsored by the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, will be held from 1-4:00pm at Jamestown Community College. The cost is $20 per person. You can register by calling 716-338-1024.
Chautauqua Physical & Occupational Therapy Announces New Partners
“This announcement is exciting because it illustrates our commitment to this community on a whole new level.” states Patrick E. Green, MS, PT, Cert. MDT and co-founder. 
This partnership with Eugenie Poignard, PT, DPT, Clinical Director and Julie Luce, MS, CCC-SLP/L benefits all of us. Dr. Poignard has been the Clinical Director for several years. Now as a partner, she is more focused on growth of the practice while keeping quality patient care our primary goal.
The partnership with Julie Luce, MS, CCC-SLP/L brings an impressive speech therapist to our team. With the addition of speech services, we are now able to address all three disciplines (physical, occupational and speech) to meet the needs of patients in a comprehensive way.
Chautauqua Physical & Occupational Therapy is privately owned and founded in 1996 by Patrick E. Green, MS, PT, Cert. MDT and his wife, Susan Green, OTR/L. Outpatient clinic is 6,000 square feet, located in the Riverwalk Center and has 22 on staff. Mr. Green is also a co-owner of the Riverwalk Center.
Photo Caption: Shown (L-R) are Patrick E. Green, MS. PT, Cert. MDT, co founder; Eugenie Poignard, PT, DPT, Clinical Director; Julie Luce, MS, CCC-SLP/L; and Susan Green, OTR/L, co-founder.
Anytime Fitness Grand Opening
The Chamber of Commerce was on hand on Saturday, March 23rd to help Anytime Fitness in Jamestown celebrate its grand opening. The business is located at 901 Fairmount Avenue in Jamestown, in the former Blockbuster video plaza. Owner Paul Coleman cut the ribbon, with staff and trainers on hand to help with the event.
Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour coed facility and features state of the art equipment. It combines comfort and convenience with safety, security, and affordability.
The facility participates in the Univera Silver’n Fit program, Independent Health Healthy Benefits, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Silver Sneakers program.
Open House at WCA Center for Orthopedics
On Sunday, April 21 from 12noon-3pm you are invited to Spring Into Wellness by attending an Open House for the new WCA Center For Orthopedics, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation. This Center is located directly behind WCA Hospital (follow the Open House signs).
During the Open House you can chat with physicians and staff, take a self-guided walking tour, sign up and register for free screenings, enjoy free wellness activities, and participate in other fun activities and giveaways. Physicians on hand will include William Fritz, MD, Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon; Peter Robinson, MD, Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon; Michael Mitchell, MD, Fellowship-Trained Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician; and Brooke Kelly, DO, PC, Board-Certified Physiatrist.
If you have any questions about the Open House, please contact Linda Johnson, WCA Public Relations, at (716) 664-8614 or Linda.Johnson@wcahospital.org.
YMCA Women’s Basketball League Registration Available
The Jamestown YMCA is taking registrations for the spring women’s league for ages 18 years and over. The league is a 5-on-5 format with games on Tuesday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning April 9.
Registration is open during the month of March. Space is limited so register early. Captains put together teams since this league is not a draft format. Individual registrations are also available to join a team assigned by the Y.
The registration fee is $45.00 for YMCA members and $60.00 for potential members.
For more information, call the Jamestown YMCA at 664-2802 or e-mail Rich Nary, basketball coordinator, at basketball@jamestownymca.org.
United Arts Appeal Grant Deadline April 15
April 15 is the deadline for applications to the 2013 Projects Pool Grant Program of the United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County. Grants up to $500 are available to organizations and to individual artists in all disciplines. Eligible organizations must have non-profit status and may include libraries, municipalities, churches and other community groups.
Any artist who has been a Chautauqua County resident for at least one year and works in any artistic discipline, including crafts, choreography, film, fiction, poetry, printmaking, sculpture, painting, video, play writing, performance, music composition and photography, may apply for a Projects Pool Fellowship. Funding priority will be given to those applicants who demonstrate that a fellowship would have significant career impact.
Grant applications are accepted only online and must be received by Monday, April 15, 2013. All applications are screened for eligibility and fulfillment of application requirements. An allocations panel made up of artists and community leaders reviews applications and presents funding recommendations to the United Arts Appeal board for approval.
Artists and community organizations interested in applying for funding through the United Arts Appeal’s Projects Pool Grant Program can obtain application information and funding criteria on-line at the Grants page at www.unitedartsappeal.org.
In addition to funding for individual artists and smaller arts projects through the Projects Pool, the United Arts Appeal provides operating support for eight of the larger arts organizations in Chautauqua County: Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, Community Music Project, 1891 Fredonia Opera House, Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, Jamestown Concert Association, Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, Reg Lenna Civic Center, and the Western New York Chamber Orchestra. For information on performances offered by member organizations, visit the United Arts Appeal page on Facebook.
The United Arts Appeal is supported by Chautauqua County, local foundations, corporations, businesses and individuals throughout the county.
For more information about the United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County, visit www.unitedartsappeal.org.
Photo caption: Last year Jamestown’s Prendergast Library received a grant allowing Glenn Colton to appear as the featured performer for the finale to the library’s Summer Reading program.
Business Name Change
Success Strategies 4 People with ADHD is now called Families First. The business is listed under its former name in the new 2013 Business Builder Source Book recently distributed by the Chamber of Commerce, since the data had to be pulled prior to the change. This member is listed under Families First in the Chamber’s searchable online business directory. The address and phone number have not changed.