Wyandotte Business Association

Friday Meeting Minutes 8/18/00

Sep 08, 2000

WBA MINUTES
Friday, August 18, 2000

Present: Jeff Olstein/White Furniture, Michelle Cox/WBA, Ann Hatley/WBA, Elayne Kremer/Success Unlimited Holistic Therapies, Doris Michael/Why Not Costume, Jerry McDonald/McDonald & Associates CPA, Roseann Gabrys/Edward Jones Investments, Sandy Allen/Detroit News & Free Press, Maria Dominguez/Traffic Jam, Marvin Scanlon/Shirley?’s Callico Cottage, Carole Navarre/Boston Tea Room, Karen Thomas/Biddle Gallery, Patt Slack/ River?’s Edge Gallery, John Prohaska/Arrow Motor & Pump, Kathy Herrick/Armstrong?’s Antiques, Al Medina/KSP Insurance, Debby Paducha and Dave Paducha/ Silk Thumb, Kate Schutt Hernandez and Joel Hernandez/Eclipse Studios, Dave Figg/Wyandotte Florist, Matt McCormack/CityStreet.com

?· Remember the Ice Cream Social next Wednesday, August 23 at Bishop Park at 6:00 pm
?· Visit the new WBA website at www.neighborhoodlink.com for minutes and upcoming events.

The minutes for our previous week?’s meeting were approved.

Media. There was a reminder from Sandy Allen about the Wyandotte Collection in the Detroit News & Free Press in September. Melina had nothing new to announce, but mentioned the glossy is out today.

3rd Friday. Today is it! Get out your tents and sales items. Remember you need to fill out a Hold Harmless agreement if you?’re putting anything out on the sidewalks; you may obtain one from Patt Slack, the WBA office, or the Community Relations Office at City Hall.

Art Fair. Patt distributed the new, colorful 3rd Friday posters that Chris Neal designed and mentioned that Chris is beginning preliminary design work for next year?’s Art Fair logo. It was expressed and generally agreed that while the concept of the Art Fair is still the same, we really need to update and enliven the fair with new ideas. An example Patt mentioned is Dearborn?’s Homecoming Days, where there is a craft fair followed by a jazz festival followed by fireworks. Creating a large spectacular event as opposed to several lukewarm events (i.e., Waterfest) may be more worthwhile.

There was discussion about getting together with the city to re-look at our community events and how we do things. Marv made a motion, seconded by Roseann, to create a Special Events Committee for this task. Motion carried. Jeff pointed out the importance of bridge-building relationships with the Mayor and the Community Relations Department. The Special Events Committee will include Jeff Olstein, Carole Navarre and Patt Slack or Chris Neal from WBA, along with city representatives and possibly some residents.

Club Wyandotte. No report.

Fund-Raising. No report.

Marketing. No report.

Membership. Membership stands at 143. Al and Debby have plans to visit several prospective new members in the near future. Al mentioned that the committee would like to see some changes to our new membership books including categories separating Retail, Service, and other areas of business, to give the book a more professional look, and then to update that book annually. Al is also working with Blue Cross/ Blue Shield to see if they will extend special benefits to a group the size of WBA.

Al mentioned they will be sending our a questionnaire to the membership on how we can make our quarterly general meetings more appealing. One suggestion is to include a 10-20 minute educational presentation that would be of interest to members. The next committee meeting will be on Wednesday , September 20 at 8:30 a.m. at Big Boy.

Old Business. Patt Slack and others expressed their displeasure and concern that the Nominating Committee indicated a preferred nominee list for the trustee nominations?—that it is up to the members to decide who to vote for and the committee should not try to sway the voting. It was also suggested that each committee member?’s signature should appear on the accompanying letter. Jerry McDonald stated that a preferred slate is not unusual in an organization such as ours. A heated discussion ensued but due to time constraints, further discussion was postponed until next week.

Matt McCormack of CityStreet.com introduced himself and his company, which sets up internet sites for local merchants.

Jeff questioned membership as to whether pizza should also be provided at next week?’s ice cream social, since the event takes place at dinner time. To find out the answer, attend Wednesday?’s event at Bishop Park at 6 pm.


Respectfully submitted,

Elayne Kremer
WBA Secretary