‘Tis the season! Election season that is.  The Indiana’s primary election takes place on Tuesday, May 8^th, the first Tuesday after the first Monday.  With the presidential nomination still in play and lots of local races this is sure to be an exciting and important election season.

An important date is Monday, April 9^th. This is the last day to register to vote or transfer voter registration.  Don’t miss your opportunity to vote by failing to register. It is also the first day to vote absentee at the county election board located in the main Courthouse.

Locally both parties have contested primaries.  There are primary races for county council, Auditor, Recorder and Treasurer. There is one commissioner seat contested in the primary.

Democrat Council at Large, competing for three places on the November ballot are, Judy Affolder, Dennis Hain, John Minch and Bob Thomas.

Five Republicans are competing for the three spots on the November ballot: Dennis Bluhm, Randy Colclasure, Tony Mellencamp, Rob Noetzel and Pat Norton.

Republican for Auditor: Mary Beery and Wes Kuntzman.

Republican for Recorders: Deb Stimson, Jim Voglewede Jr. and Gerald Walker.

Republican for Treasurer:  Ed Dyer and Tom Kreckeberg.

Commissioner District one: Steve Baumann and Kim Fruechty.

It is the duty of citizens to vote!  Fulfill your duty!

“The courts have weathered the storm.”  These were the words that Judge Patrick Miller used to open the annual State of the Judiciary address at the March Chamber luncheon.  They have made cuts, but are still providing access to the courts. Judge Miller reported several trends: Increase in crimes overall, a decrease in serious crimes; an increase in crimes related to the economy and juvenile crime has increased.

He reported that 5,000 new cases were filed last year 3,824 of which were in Superior Court. On other matters probation is down seventy-five from last year.  RISQ has had 115 out of school suspensions.  Jailers are now transporting many prisoners to and from court to free deputies for other duties.

Judge Miller expressed that “Judge [Fred] Schurger and I are not fans of delayed justice,” so they are looking for ways to speed up the process.

The two main issues facing building issues are the jail which is over crowded.  It is designed to hold 59 and averaged 50 last year.  The second is the Superior Court building which has a myriad of problems: not ADA compliant; the basement retains water; too small; and has many security issues.

He ended by declaring the State of the Judiciary is strong and all citizens have access to the courts.

The next Chamber Luncheon will be held on April 9^th and will feature Dr. Wylie Sirk, presenting the State of the Schools Address.

Over fifty people attended the February Chamber Luncheon to hear Commissioner Doug Bauman give the annual State of the County address.  The Chamber thanks commissioner Bauman along with Commissioners Ed Coil and Kim Fruecthy, who were also in attendance, for their work on behalf of Adams County. 

Commissioner Bauman began by asking the question, "Just exactly what can we afford in this County?"  Doug went on to point out that the county will continue to deal with reduced revenue due to low interest rates on County funds and the effect of tax caps.  This in spite of a 96.6% tax collection rate.  Bauman also reported that the Auditor's office made on time distributions to local unites of government.

A full report on the February Luncheon will appear in the March Chamber Communicator.

The Chamber thanks our local government officials who participate in the Chamber Luncheons.  The Luncheons allow Chamber members to receive important information regarding developments in our city and county.  They also provide an opportunity for members to network with other business, community and government leaders. 

The 80^th Annual Chamber Dinner was a great success.  About 215 people attended the event, which is also the Chamber’s Annual Meeting.  Thanks to all those who participated!   I want to say a special thank-you to the Annual Dinner Committee that put the event together.  They spent many hours planning, decorating and cleaning up from the event.  The committee is composed of Betty Melton (Mid West America) chair, Mara Gerke (Energy Wellness), Penny Parrish (First Bank of Berne), Olivia Reed (FamilyLife Care)  and Becky Cochran (Cochran CPA).

Each year chamber members from northeast Indiana travel to Indianapolis to spend a day meeting with legislators and receiving information on business related issues.  The NEICC and Regional Chamber will be organizing the trip that will take place on Tuesday, February 21^st.  More information can be found on page 4 of this issue.

 Spotlight comes to Bellmont Middle School on Saturday, March 10^th.  Lots of new events have been added to Spotlight this year.  The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo brings the Zoomobile to Decatur for Amazing Animals on Bellmont Stage at 4:00 pm. Fort Wayne’s renowned Science Central brings Outreach to Space to the gymnasium form

 Next Month we will ponder benefits of Chamber membership.  But remember, one of the benefits of Chamber membership is the ability to display materials in the chamber office.  These may be flyers, business cards or other business promotional items.  It is the policy of the Chamber to only display items for members (with the exception of tourism related material).   This is great way to promote your business to people who walk-in to the Chamber office.

Today I am pondering community service. This month the Chamber announced our annual awards for 2011. Each year the Chamber gives three major awards. Stephen Decatur was a naval hero who spent his life in the service of his country. The Stephen Decatur award is named for him, and given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to the community. The Large and Small business Awards have been given since 2000 to businesses that have been actively involved in service to Decatur. This service includes support of community activities and events and having employees who are active participants in the community.

Each year we have excellent nominees. This year was no different. We are pleased to honor First Bank of Berne and Custom Car Care as the Large and Small businesses for 2011. They have both been outstanding corporate citizens of our community. While they certainly deserve this honor I want to recognize that there are dozens of other businesses that work hard to make our community the great place it is. The Chamber is all about being “good corporate citizens”. Getting involved in the community. Making a difference!

Being involved in the Chamber is a good place to start. Each year the Chamber works to promote Decatur, bring new opportunities to Decatur and improve the business climate in Decatur. We can each do a little. When we combine those efforts they are increased exponentially.

I encourage you to get involved in 2012. Support the Chamber as we work to bring increased vitality to our community.

It was called to my attention this afternoon, by one of our local businesses, that a company from Illinois is selling map advertising in Decatur.  I certainly have no objection to that.  Everyone is free to do business in our community.

My problem is with false and misleading sales pitches.  These companies call the Chamber. They claim someone is "relocating" to Decatur.  Will we please send them a relocation packet including a map and phone book?  They then use our map to call our advertisers pretending they are doing it for the Chamber and asking the advertiser to "renew" their ad.  I have gotten quite good at recognizing these phony "relocators" to the point I will not send packets to a certain city in Illinois (that will remain nameless to protect the innocent). But some still get through.

Please be aware that these companies sell advertising, the money goes back to Illinois and there is little benefit to our community. Our map is produced locally, using local businesses.  The money stays in our community.

We do not outsource sales.  Any calls regarding something the Chamber is doing will come directly from our office. 

As an aside the 2012-13 Decatur map was delivered this week and will be available next week.

Thanks for your support and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The end of the month Eric Mann is retiring after serving as reporter for the Decatur Daily Democrat for 41 years.  Over those years Eric has attended countless meetings of this, that and the other governmental body and civic function.  He as covered trials, large and small along with the Adams Central School board and AC athletics. Often Eric would rush off to get the court news of the day before the Courthouse closed.

I addition to his "official" duties, Eric has conducted a one-man "keep Adams County clean" campaign.  It was not uncommon to see Eric's car pulled to the side of the road, as he collected trash that others had carelessly dropped.

The Democrat is hosting an open house for Eric on Wednesday from 10 - 4 to celebrate his retirement.  Stop by the Democrat and celebrate the end of an era.

Best wishes Eric!

  As you know the Chamber is an independent, non-profit corporation devoted to developing business in Decatur and the surrounding area.  We are not a government entity and receive no funding through tax dollars.  We are a membership organization, funded through member dues and events that benefit our community.  We are also a business, and it is necessary to operate in the black.

 Chamber dues are set by the Chamber Board of Directors.  The last time the dues were changes was 1998.  When dues were last increased:

  Gas cost $1.15 a gallon (oil was $11.91 a barrel)

 The average new car cost $17,200.00

 A US Postage Stamp was 32 cents

 A pound of bacon was $2.53

 A pound of hamburger $1.40

 A loaf of bread cost $1.26

 A dozen eggs was 88 cents

 The Chamber board has discussed the dues structure for several years and came to the conclusion, “now is not the time”.  Unfortunately we have reached the conclusion that we cannot delay any longer. So, effective 2012 we must increase dues an average 10% across the board.

 Remember the Chamber is “in business” to promote business.  Through the Decatur Dollars program we infuse over $100,000 into the Decatur economy.  This is money spent if Chamber member businesses.  It re-circulates through the community creating more business here.

 Our newly designed website offers businesses a front door to the web.  Even if your business does not have a website, you can have a searchable web presence.  If you have a website the Chamber site offers another opportunity to be located on the world-wide-web.

 Events like Spotlight, the Kekionga Festival, Motor Sports Festival and Callithumpian Festival bring thousands of people to Decatur and expose them our businesses.  Many return to visit shops and restaurants during the year.

 When it comes to return on investment the Chamber gives you a lot of “bang for your buck”.  Thanks for your continued support of the Chamber.

It is an exciting time here at the Chamber.  Today we are launching our redesigned website.  This update is going to provide many improvements for the Chamber and our members.  To start with we have redesigned member pages. As potential customers search the web, they often find the Chamber site listing for a business, even if that business has their own site.  In addition to posting information about your business, contact info and website link you can also link to your Facebook, your YouTube videos, Twitter and LinkedIn.

We have better control over the content which will allow us to keep the information more current which provides better service to our members.  Pictures and web content should always be fresh.

I am especially proud of the footer, that includes important community links and email links (just click on the picture of the person you want to email). 

Thanks to the website committee for giving oversight to this important project.  Chairman Mark Zurcher, Heather Cruse and Sarah Porter worked with Armanda Designs to develop the updated site.