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Communication: The Key To Successful Business
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March 2008
Chamber Honors First Responders
On February 20th Chamber Chairman Jon Staggs (Alabama
Power) joined Sheriff Mike Hale, Police Chief Nathaniel
Rutledge, Fire Chief Paul Syx, and Major Alan Farley as they
paid homage to the brave men and women who "serve and protect" our businesses in western Jefferson County. Keynoting the
event was the Assistant Director of the Alabama Department of
Public Safety, LTC Bubba Bingham. He did an exceptional job
in relating the importance of our first responders to our lives and
businesses. It is an honor for the Bessemer Area Chamber of
Commerce to annually sponsor and host this exceptional event.
We must always remember that these brave and very professional civic servants put their lives on the line daily so the business community can grow and prosper. When you see them,
thank them.
Recipients for the 2007 recognitions were as follows: Deputy
Sheriff of the Year-Deputy Alan Rhea, who also received the
Medal of Valor for his actions in disabling the perpetrator at the
scene of the Wachovia Bank robbery. The Law Enforcement
Officer of the Year was Gary D. Carmichael, who was recognized for his outstanding detective work that led to the arrest of
an individual linked to several business robberies in downtown
Bessemer. Chief Syx then recognized two firefighters as Fire
Fighters of the Year, Lt. Tommy Cannon and Fire Fighter
Shondrick Davis, who saved the life of an eight year old young
lady who was passed out in a house fire. As you see each one
is a hero in their own right but each recognized all the other first
responders who work beside them and do equal feats of heroism each day.
The event could not have been as big a success (this is the sixth
sell out year) without the outstanding support of Lawson State
Community College-Bessemer and Ms. Edith Hunter who provided the facilities and great food. Ambassadors and Staff set
up the room, served the food, and provided greetings and
smiles. Family and co-workers joined Chamber members and
other officials such as Judge Tom King in standing ovations as
each recipient was called to the podium. It was a day to be
proud of the Bessemer area.
Chamber Board/Ambassadors
Hold Reception
Welcoming our local elected officials to a get acquainted reception at the Chamber on February 7th, your Chamber Board
of Directors and Ambassadors were able to network with several of our elected officials including: City Council President
Jesse Matthews, Councilor Sarah Belcher (who is also a
Chamber Ambassador), Councilor Dorothy Davidson,
Councilor Earl Cochran and Councilor Albert Soles. School
board members attending were: Vera Eades, Hattie Aikerson,
Renna Scott, and Bessie Pippens. We also had representatives from Mayor Edward May (Adrianne Adams) and
Commissioner Shelia Smoot's offices.
Good food and drink mixed with a cooperative spirit provided
for a tremendous event. Several of our local officials encouraged the Chamber to repeat the reception each year so our
Board and Ambassadors can meet, ask questions, and laugh
with those who are elected to serve our business community.
A big thanks goes out to Chairman Jon Staggs, Treasurer Joni
Holt, and Chairperson-elect Dr. Deborah Horn who led our
Ambassadors as our official welcoming committee. Everyone
had a great time and since it was just one hour everyone could
stop by on their way home from work and still be with their families. Latasha Cook, Mary Milan and Jean Brown from your
Chamber staff did an outstanding job of putting this event together and the food from the Bright Star was a big highlight of
the evening.
(More Photos on Page 4)
Attending reception were Council members l-r;
Albert Soles, Sarah Belcher, Jesse Matthews
(President), Dorothy Davidson and Earl Cochran
The most terrifying words in the English language are:
I'm from the government and I'm here to help. President Ronald
Inside
Jon Staggs, Chief Paul Syx, Lt. Tommy Cannon,
Firefighter Shondrick Davis and LTC Bubba Bingham
It's Your Business: Life's Tough
Page 2
Business News: Grease Control Program
Page 3
Chamber News: Ziti in the City Scholarship Luncheon
Page 4
Chamber News: Casino Night Just Around Corner
Page 5
Community News: Adopt-a-School Program
Page 6
Business News: Spotlight: Congressman Artur Davis
Page 7
2
From the President
It's Your Business
'Life's tough.....it's even tougher if you're stupid,'' as John Wayne put it. And so it is with
our professional, personal/private and public
life. They are all tough. We strive for success
(the definition of which is dependent on each
of our own perceptions) and most of us work
hard to achieve success. Not being stupid in
our decision-making processes can help us
lessen the toughness of facing all aspects of
our life.
Like the criminal who can never get it right and
is always being caught, put back in jail and
"picked on" by society it is the decisions made
that cause the problem. The unwed parent
cannot understand why it happened to them,
that is kind of stupid though, because we all
know why it happened. But facing responsibility and making correct decisions helps
those tougher times seem less straining and
easier to face. That is not to say a person making mostly correct decisions will not face tough
times because we all will, but it is easier to face
a few tough times than having to face consistently tough times.
John Wayne said it correctly and understood it
but he also had to face the responsibilities of
his decisions. He had lung cancer and underwent successful surgery to remove his entire
left lung and four ribs. Despite efforts by his business associates to prevent him from going public
with his illness (for fear it would cost him work),
Wayne announced he had cancer and called on
the public to get preventive examinations. Five
years later, Wayne was declared cancer-free. He
continued to smoke cigars and chew tobacco, and
well he eventually got stomach cancer, but that did
not have him saying why me? He said, "Courage
is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway." Up until his death he worked hard and lived
his life hard, he is in a lot of people's opinion the
greatest action movie actor of all time. John
Wayne's enduring status as an iconic American
was formally recognized by the United States
Congress on May 26, 1979 when he was awarded
the Congressional Gold Medal. On June 9, 1980
he was also awarded the Presidential Medal of
Freedom posthumously. He won a Best Actor
Oscar (True Grit) and his last movie, The Shootist,
was filmed with him battling stomach cancer but
he worked through it.
We cannot afford to be stupid in our business or personal lives. Making bad decisions consistently is a sign of flawed character and questionable maturity. We need to
take responsibility for our decisions, think
them out and make the best decisions we
can. Some of our decisions will still be stupid but if we work hard, treat others fairly,
and think before we act we can succeed.
Like the Duke, we need to saddle up anyway
and face our challenges. You as a businessperson have to overcome "this tough life" because it's your business.
President
Business News
3
Grease Control Program
The Hueytown Chamber of Commerce at their monthly luncheon had a program presented about
the Jefferson County Grease Control Program on February 21st. Chamber President Jena Large
introduced Sharon Evans, Legislative Assistant to County Commissioner Jim Carns, and Dana
Gray, JefCo Grease Control Program, who provided some very important information about the programs affects on our local businesses especially food service establishments. The Bessemer
Chamber encouraged our members to attend and the Chamber was represented. However, there
may be a need to bring Sharon and Dana to a special meeting at the Chamber to go over their vital information about this ordinance.
Some of the interesting things that they shared:
1. Jefferson County is required by Federal law to maintain over 2,700 miles of sanitary
sewer
2. There are approximately 3,000 food service facilities connected to the sewer
3. In 2005, grease blockages caused more than 60% of sanitary sewer overflows in
Jefferson County
4. These back ups are a hazard to the public, our wildlife, creeks and streams
5. Fats, oils, and grease can cause a sanitary sewer overflow due to build up over time in
the system
6. The focus of the ordinance is Brown grease
7. Two ways to capture Brown grease are grease traps and grease interceptors
It is imperative and the law that all food service facilities covered by this ordinance handle their grease in
an environmentally sound way. Businesses can do this by:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Training employees
Filing your application
Keeping proper documentation of where your grease is being disposed from the removal system
Determine the best grease removal system for your business and get approval from
JefCo GCP
The Chamber is placing a link to Jefferson County's Environmental Services Department and the Grease
Control Program on our web site for your convenience. Please take time to make sure your business is in
compliance. If you would like for us to host a special meeting to discuss the GCP please contact us at
425-3253 or email [email protected].
4
Chamber News
Chamber Honors First Responders (continued from page 1)
Chairman Staggs, Chief Nathaniel Rutledge,
Sgt. Gray D. Carmichael and LTC Bingham
Sheriff Mike Hale, Deputy Alan Rhea,
LTC Bingham, and Chairman Jon Staggs
Ziti in the City Scholarship Luncheon
St. Patrick's Day Business After Hours
On March 14th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm
come support your Chamber Ambassadors as
they raise money for the Ora Foster Community
Service Scholarship given to area high school seniors. This annual event has become a real treat
and something local businesses look forward to
participating. A single dinner is $7, which includes homemade baked ziti with Italian
Sausage and beef, salad, garlic bread and beverage (Pepsi products). There will also be vegetable baked ziti for those that prefer it. Also, for
businesses there will be pans of ziti that feed 8
for $55, which includes the sides and beverage.
See the enclosed flyer for more information and
your order form.
Help the Chamber
Ambassadors help our local high schools. If you
have questions contact us at 425-3253 or email
[email protected].
Remember one of the highlights of the year is coming this month. On March 13th, paint your hair
green, where green ties, socks or whatever and
join the Chamber at the Holiday Inn Express for our
annual St. Patrick's Day bash. This is a great time
to meet and greet your fellow Chamber members,
to eat hearty and drink if you must. Outstanding
door prizes are always given away and music is in
the air. This year Anthony Underwood Automotive,
Dixie Nissan, Bessemer Chrysler Dodge Jeep,
Premiere Chevrolet, and Town and Country Ford
will sponsor the evening's events. We kick off at
5:30 pm and will end no later than 7:30, so join us
as you head home and network to make you and
your business more visible. For more information
contact us at 425-3253 or email
[email protected]. It will be fun!!!!!
Chamber News
5
Casino Night is Just
Around the Corner
Communicate Don't
Procrastinate
The Casino Night committee is working to
make this year's event the best ever. Mark
your calendars for April 18th at the Woodward
Country Club and join us for an outstanding
evening. If you do not gamble (for fun money
only) there is still plenty to do and great food
to enjoy. Music, dancing, silent auction, fellowship, and on and on and on. It will be one
of the evenings during the year that you will remember and Chamber members will talk
about. For more information contact us at
425-3253 or email [email protected].
It is not bad to pause before you make a decision. It is wise to not be hasty. But it is imperative that you do something when the growth
and vitality of your business is at stake.
Communication is an action not a concept.
Moving, making something happen is better
done by clear, concise, and expeditious communication. Putting off talking to your employees, managers, or customers never
moves you forward. So as business experts
continually emphasize good communication
so too do they recommend that you don't procrastinate.
Time-Wise Ideas
From The Chamber of Commerce Pacesetter December 2007 issue we find: Managing time successfully is a challenge. Here are some tips that can help you make the most of your time.
Learn to say no and goodbye when you have pressing deadlines
If you can't answer a question, say so
Work with realistic deadlines
Work hardest when you are most mentally alert
Avoid making a "production" out of small tasks
Use the telephone to save mileage and time
Practice good listening techniques and habits
Put aside unimportant tasks
Control interruptions
Think first, then do; do instead of dream
Advertising in the Communique
With the retirement of Mr. Ed Kean all advertising in the monthly newsletter has
lapsed. If you would like to reach 600 of your peers, be seen daily on the web site, in
the Communique Newsletter, and support the Chamber please contact us at 4253253 or email [email protected]. Your ad would be as little as $50 monthly and
if you take it out for the remainder of the year there will be special pricing. Again, help
us keep the newsletter a resource for our business community.
6
Community News
Adopt-a-School Program
American Values Luncheon
The City of Bessemer and the Chamber's
Adopt-a-School Program needs your help.
We will be bringing together those in the business community who want to help our local
schools in a unified effort. In the next several
weeks we will meet to give each business details on how and who you can help. Be prepared and willing to volunteer yours and your
employee's time to furthering the education of
our young people. An investment in them now
will help your business by providing better employees in the future.
On February 29th the Boy Scouts of
America Greater Alabama Council held its
annual American Values luncheon at the
Sheraton Hotel in downtown Birmingham.
It was a privilege as an Eagle Scout to represent the Chamber and listen to famed
quarterback Archie Manning speak.
Archie is the father of Indianapolis Colts
and New York Giants quarterbacks Peyton
and Eli Manning, both of whom have won
Super Bowls. It was a great occasion and
a great way to raise funds for a premiere
youth organization.
National Day of Prayer
May 1st is National Day of Prayer and our
Bessemer Area religious leaders are preparing for
a special time for all to pray for our families, our
jobs, our City, State and Nation. First Presbyterian
Church will host this year's program with lunch and
services beginning at 11:00 am. We encourage all
of our businesses to join in this nationwide effort
and humbly ask for the blessings from your God.
Volunteers Needed!!!
Helping Hands Hospice is seeking volunteers
in the Bessemer, Midfield, and Hueytown area
to volunteer their time or services for out patients in the area. There are many different
ways to volunteer such as running errands,
reading to a patient, cutting grass, cutting hair,
manicures, making a meal, listening or just giving a couple of hours out of a day to a caregiver
so that they can take a break.
Volunteers are a very important part of the
Helping Hands organization. Without volunteers they would not be able to accomplish
their goals for patients. Those goals are to
keep patients as comfortable as possible and
also maintain their dignity at this very difficult
stage in their lives.
If you are interested in volunteering for Helping
Hands Hospice, call Cindy Hubble, Volunteer
Coordinator, at 444-0126 or her cell phone at
266-1543.
Business News
7
Spotlight on Business: Congressman Artur Davis
NOTE TO MEMBERS: This monthly article presents the thoughts and suggestions of members of the
Chamber about business related topics. This year we are learning more about our State and Federal
elected officials.
Congressman Artur Davis was born in Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama on October 9, 1967. He
graduated from Jefferson Davis High School, earned a B.A. at Harvard University in 1990 and a J.D. from
Harvard University in 1993.
After two terms in Congress, U.S. Representative Artur Davis has earned recognition as a productive and effective legislator who has set a new standard of service for his constituents. As Congressman Davis begins
his third term, he is rapidly developing a national reputation as a thoughtful leader who is poised to influence
the national debate.
Congressman Davis has been appointed to one of the most prestigious committees in the House, the Ways
and Means Committee. This committee oversees economic policy in a wide array of areas, including tax law,
trade policy, and health care, as well as the Social Security and Medicare programs. Davis is only the tenth
Alabamian to serve on this important committee in 188 years. Davis also holds a slot on the Judiciary
Committee, which covers areas ranging from constitutional law to immigration to the criminal and civil justice
systems.
Congressman Davis' strong legislative track record in Washington is matched with an active presence in his
West Alabama district. He has chaired the Health Care Subcommittee of Governor Bob Riley's Black Belt
Action Commission, an effort that has led to expanded delivery of vital services throughout the Black Belt. The
Commission has been heralded by various news organizations as one of the best public-private partnerships
in the state's recent history.
Recognized by the Washington Post, the National Journal and CNN as one of the future leaders to watch in
Washington, Congressman Davis has been tabbed by his peers for several important assignments. He is currently the recruitment chairman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2008 cycle.
He is the co-chair of the centrist New Democrat Caucus, a group that emphasizes education and technological competitiveness. Congressman Davis also serves as a member of the House Majority Leader's Advisory
Group and as a member of the Steering and Policy Committee, which approves committee assignments and
rules changes for the Democratic Caucus.
Congressman Davis' excellent academic career gave birth to a flourishing professional life as a successful attorney and advocate for justice. Upon graduation from law school, Congressman Davis received a clerkship
with Judge Myron F. Thompson, one of the first African-American judges appointed to the federal bench in
Alabama. From 1994 to 1998, Congressman Davis established a 98 percent conviction rate as an Assistant
United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama fighting white-collar criminals and the scourge of
drugs and violence on our streets and in our neighborhoods. From 1998 until his election to Congress,
Congressman Davis worked as a litigator in private practice.
Calendar of Events March 2008
BESSEMER AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jon Staggs
Chairman of the Board
Alabama Power
Kenneth Gulley
Past Chairman
Lawson State Community College
Deborah Horn
Chairman Elect
Bessemer Board of Education
Joni Holt
Treasurer & Chairperson of Finance
Holt Insurance
Doug Caddell, Canaan Baptist Church
David Darby, BankTrust
Randy Donaldson, Alabama Gas Company
CeCe Doss, Wilson Pallet & Packaging
Arthur Green, JeffCo District Attorney, Bess. Div.
Howard Johnson Jr., Johnson Funeral Home
Sunny Lippert, Attorney
Ross Mitchell, Baptist Health System
Tom Nicholson, US Pipe & Foundry Co.
Rupesh Patel, Hampton Inn
Keith Pennington, Medical West
Allen Rice, ITT Technical Institute
Steve Self, Buffalo Rock Company
Hank Tyler, Henry H. Tyler Enterprises
Thelma Vanderburg, First American Bank
Nelda Weaver, Weaver Land & Realty, Inc.
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
March
April
April
April
May
4
4
6
13
14
18
18
18
17
18
23
1
City Wide Prayer Breakfast
7:30 A.M.
Medical West
Ambassadors Meeting
8:15 A.M.
Chamber
Minister's Meeting
Noon
Chamber
Bus. After Hrs/St. Patrick's Day 5:30-7:30 P.M. Holiday Inn Exp.
Annual Scholarship Luncheon 10:00-2:00 P.M. 1st Presbyterian
11:30 A.M.
Chamber
Executive Committee Mtg.
Noon
Chamber
Board of Director's Mtg.
6:30 P.M.
Civic Center
Salvation Army Annual Banquet
1:00 P.M.
Bent Brook
Medical West Charity Golf Tourn.
7-11 P.M. Woodward C. C.
Casino Night
Noon
Lawson-Bess.
Administrative Prof. Luncheon
TBA 1st Presbyterian
National Day of Prayer
Welcome New Members for February
BURCHFIELD HOMES, INC.
Chris Burchfield
21010 Tammie Drive
McCalla, AL 35111
Phone 601-7560 fax 477-1029
Homebuilder
INNOVATIVE COMPUTER
CONCEPTS ICC
Robert Parker
3603 Pine Lane SE Ste A
Bessemer, AL 35022
Phone 380-8854
fax 380-8855
[email protected]
www.icc-corp.net
Hitech/Computer
KELLY SERVICES
Jeannie Thrower or
Tiffani Stanton
617 Bessemer Super Hwy
Midfield, AL 35228-3012
Phone 428-1574
[email protected]
www.kellyservices.com
Staffing
BESSEMER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 648
Bessemer, Alabama 35021-0648
OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Phone: 205-425-3253 Fax: 425-4979
Toll Free: 1-888-4BESSEMER (Toll Free)
www.bessemerchamber.com
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
YOUR CHAMBER STAFF
Ronnie Acker, President
LaTasha Cook, Vice President
Mary Milan, Administrative Specialist
Jean Brown, Accounting Specialist
Celebrating
86 Years of Service
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