It was a full agenda for Kevin Patterson's first luncheon as board chair. Kevin had the distinct pleasure of showing off Family Circle Magazine naming Maple Valley as one of the '10 Best Towns For Families' for 2011. Along with that, Kevin presented Brett and Brenda Habenicht, owners of Java Java Coffee Company, with the 'Business of the Quarter Award' for the second quarter of 2011. It was a great community tie-in; Brett is a Tahoma grad, class of '84, Java Java is a small business success story headquartered right here in Maple Valley, and Brett and Brenda and the Tahoma School District were central to the Family Circle Magazine's article. It can’t get much better than that for the Tahoma School District's Public Information Officer-Chamber President’s first meeting!
As sponsors of the luncheon and the chamber’s upcoming Business Expo in September, KeyBank representatives from the Lake Wilderness Branch unveiled Key’s new Key@Work program that provides valuable banking perks employers can offer employees to enhance their total benefit packages. To take advantage of these special free and discounted services, all employees need to do is open a qualifying Key checking account. KeyBank also offers free Learn and Earn classes, a comprehensive financial education and awareness program --getting good credit, the preventable dangers of identity theft, and basic banking. Check out all the details on the chamber’s weekly blog on the website. Colleen Starr was the lucky winner of KeyBank’s $50 Key cash card door prize. And as you can guess, Colleen will donate it to Vine Maple Place. Generosity all around!
Sheriff Sue Rahr was the keynote speaker addressing concerns of the level of service in the rural areas with the closing of Precinct 3 in early October. The Sheriff explained that the policing model has changed significantly since the precinct was built almost 30 years ago. Technology has played a huge part in these changes. In the past, deputies returned to the precinct for shift changes, roll calls, and to submit reports. As they have for some time now, patrol officers drive directly to their patrol areas from their own homes in their assigned vehicles. With virtual roll calls and electronic communications there is no longer a need for a physical presence at the precinct. Contracting cities will be able to provide space for detectives assigned to the area and command staff will be centralized in the new facility off I-90. The Sheriff made it clear that even with the closing of this precinct, the number of patrol officers in this area remains at its current level. Technology has also made many non-emergency services available on-line: records requests, crime reports, sex offender search, and reporting of suspicious activity. And who knew --- you can also ‘Like’ them on Facebook – King County Sheriff 911 – it has a ton of up-to-date information, bulletins, and alerts.
Register Today for the September 17 PrimeTime Business Expo!!!! Some lucky shopper will win a $250 Key Possibilities Card, a pre-paid MasterCard debit card.
Click here to see a listing of all our upcoming events or call 425.432.0222.
The Chamber: Growing Business, Building Community.
Added on 08/23/2011
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Exec's Corner by Chamber blog
