Chamber back on track

Ken Johnston

The Rainy River and District Chamber of Commerce (RRDCC) put itself back on track last week.
After struggling to get people out to meetings for almost a year a near record turnout of about 30 business people attended the regular monthly meeting of the RRDCC last Tuesday to try and get things moving in a positive direction.
The existing executive, consisting of Crystal Lindal-President, Sara Berg-V.P., Terri-Anne Lundgren-Treas., Monica Nelson-Sec., and Amy Ruff, were almost all replaced with a new group. All but Nelson resigned for various reasons.
Ruff said, “It was tough to run a chamber with little or no interest.”
Corrie Wiersema said, “You only get out of something what you put into it.” He also said he feels the Chamber is not a service club but a group of business people who should focus on how they can make more money.
Other members disagreed saying that by improving the community their businesses stand to benefit.
Melanie Murray said that she never heard when the meetings were and suggested that communication needs to be improved by the chamber.
Wiersema suggested that the sec/treas. position be made a paid position again to ensure the channels are kept open and well used between the chamber and members. After elections it was suggested that the executive look at doing just that.
The new executive will be lead by Susan Carpenter-President (Susan’s Corner Store), Sharilyn Wood-V.P. (Quality Bakery), Rachel Marquis-Treas. (CIBC), Monica Nelson-Sec. (Grandma Dynamite’s/Custom Launderette), Cory Wiersema-Director (CABS), Ken Johnston-Dir. (Rainy River Record), Kristine Brown-Dir. (KGB Sports), Melanie Murray-Dir. (Melanie’s Foot Care), Jeri Irish-Dir. (CIBC) and Dave Armstrong-Dir. (Roadrunner Motel/Lil Taste of Heaven).
The new executive agreed to meet again last night to work on kick-starting efforts to raise local and area awareness about the great shopping/service opportunities in Rainy River (Watch next week’s Record for details).
The outgoing executive was thanked for working hard to try and keep the chamber together. Lundgren said, “This community has a great deal of spirit and that was evident at the centennial celebrations last year.”
Murray agreed saying, “We need to get some positive energy going.”
Wiersema agreed, “A negative attitude will bring negative business (results).”
After the meeting was adjourned former businessman and mayor Gord Armstrong met with anyone interested in staying behind to talk about a proposal he feels will make Rainy River a tourist destination. He did not want the details to be released in the paper at this time, but several chamber members seemed very interested in what he had to say.