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ChamberWorks February 2003 |
» Past Issues |
» President's
Message
» You're
Invited to the Wedding
» Five
Chamber Business Expo and Networking Event
» Business
Showcase 2003
» Important
Info for Gift Certificate Participants
» Welcome
New Members!
President's Message
We have been correct in supporting the three-way deal to
construct a new train station off Commerce Drive. The process for this
public-private initiative speeds up the opportunity to take an abandoned
property and turn it into a valuable tax-paying entity again.
Given the proposed increased tax burden Fairfield citizens will bear over the next five years, the deal between the state, the town and the developer couldn't have come at a more opportune time. I attended the hearing last January 13, and was impressed by the team-oriented approach these three parties displayed.
The deal will not cost the town much at all, unlike other expensive though necessary projects such as new schools. The town's cost for the $6 million GO bond will be offset by a new revenue-sharing deal worked out between the state and town. In essence, the new station will generate some $300,000 of parking fees over the next 20 years while the current Fairfield center station will generate roughly $250,000. Together these fees will pay the town's share. In addition, upon build-out, new commercial taxes totaling over $3.5 million per year will be realized. Commuters waiting for a parking permit will finally get to park in a new facility that will rival anything along the I-95 corridor.
Though the chamber was not privy to all contract arrangements, it appears that a "win-win" atmosphere was needed to make the station a reality. By observing and speaking with all parties involved, it appears the agreement has met the expectations of the deal-makers.
Given the state's current fiscal crisis, public-private initiatives like this one may be the only way for towns and cities to generate much needed commercial tax revenues to fund things like schools and other important projects. The cooperation displayed by the state, the town and the developer to build the third train station and surrounding development should be held up as a shining example to other municipalities.
Mark J. Hawkins
President
Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
You're Invited ...
To the Wedding of Joey Cavatelli and Mary Katherine Mulligan
Who are these people? Are they chamber members? Why is the
chamber hosting a wedding?
Mary and Joey are characters from the play Joey and Mary's Irish/Italian Wedding, scheduled for May 3 at the Patterson Club. Because Mary's parents are not people of means, only 120 guests can be invited to the wedding and reception.
A wacky group of 14 actors will be taking a bus from the Big Apple to the Patterson Club to engage the audience (you) in their crazy play -- an interactive wedding and reception which we hope will be tacky, but not too tacky. As with all weddings, the bride and groom will be seated at the head table, along with their strange (but true) bridal party. There will be wedding cake, lots of food stations, music, dancing and wedding gifts (which will be auctioned off to help pay for the wedding).
Are you curious? Are you willing to be part of the interactive audience?. Are you just a little bit crazy? Then save the date: May 3, at the Patterson Club.
Watch the Events page for more details.
Five Chamber Business Expo and Networking Event
On Tue., March 12, the Five Chamber Business Expo and
Networking event will take place at the Norwalk Community College
from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. Exhibitor cost is $250 per table, and they will be
going fast! This business-to-business event concludes with a Business After
Hours. A great opportunity at an affordable price! Download
the application (pdf), or call Linda Matthews at 255-1011.
Business Showcase 2003
On Wed., May 14th, the William Pitt Center at
Sacred Heart University will once again be the location for the Business
Showcase 2003. This event, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., attracts
over 200 exhibitors from local and surrounding towns and cities. Here is
an opportunity for your business to "show off".
Space is available on a first reserved basis, and previous exhibitors have the first right of refusal. Call Linda Matthews at the chamber office, 255-1011 if you have any questions, or would like to receive an application. If you enjoyed going to the event last year and thought about being a participant, now is the time to look ahead toward this event! You can also visit www.biz-showcase.com and browse through the 2002 site.
Important Info for Gift Certificate Participants
As we make the transition from the older, green and white gift
certificates which were sold at the Chamber office, to the new preprinted red,
white and blue gift certificates offered through Certifichecks (now sold at the
chamber office), the Chamber has received a few green expired gift certificates that
had issue and expiration dates that were physically altered.
The chamber office maintains a running list of when the green certificates were issued. The list also shows the expiration date as one year from sale date, or in some later instances, "N/A" was written by the Chamber, which should still be accepted by merchants.
Please inform your staff to take notice of the expiration date. When in doubt, or if they have any question regarding redemption of expired or altered certificates, have them ask the bearer to contact the chamber office. We will work with them to resolve the matter.
Welcome New Members for January!
For contact information, consult
our online Member Directory.
- Mark Barnhart
- B.J. Dornan
- Greater Fairfield Mortgage
- Jacobs & Prosek Public Relations
- Ronald Merly, LLC
- Sabel & Associates
- The Post Office
- Trader Joe's
- Xpedite