Members reported activities:
Canton Borough is working on a list of streets to be paved and is accepting lifeguard applications. A draft of a rental inspection ordinance is at the Borough office and is available for review by landlords. The Borough is developing a logo for its website. The Shade Tree Commission has scheduled some events, including a clean-up at Morse Park.
Wiggle Radio is about to "Spring into Summer," with a summer grill giveaway. The radio station is promoting a basketball game between the Canton Area School District staff and the State Police to raise funds for student safety.
The Rialto Theatre had a premiere of Furious 7, on April 3 the national opening date. A free showing of the movie Hop was presented on Easter Saturday.
The Piatigorsky Foundation concert is scheduled for the Rialto on April 7, and Joe Cavallaro and his Dixieland Jazz Band will be as part of "Thursdays at the Rialto" on April 30.
Rekindle the Spirit has many events coming up, including "Grave Matters," with funeral and mourning ephemera; a Wine & Design event, and a stone wall workshop. Preparations also are underway for this October's Apple and Cheese Festival.
Passion Life Wellness is celebrating its one-year anniversary and is starting yoga classes. Schoonover's urges customers to have their air conditioners serviced for summer use.
Oscar's is "packed with inventory" and says, "It's always a good time to buy a new floor!"
First Citizens has just completed IRA season. The bank now is promoting student loans, which is "new and exciting" for them.
The Canton Fire Department holds bingo each Wednesday, public dinners on the first Thursday of each month and will have a Chicken BBQ on April 18. An Easter Egg hunt was held on April 4. Tow big events conducted by the Fire Company are the Firemen's Fair and the Fall Fling, and the Endless Mountains Antique Tractor & Machinery Show is held on the firemen's fairgrounds.
Sweet Tooth Bakery were busy and unable to attend but wished a Happy Easter to everyone.
Evan Williams III, an attorney from Troy, was a guest. He is seeking nominations for Judge in Bradford County. Mr. Williams told the Chamber that the judge's office "should be independent and non-political." He urged his supporters to speak to their friends to promote his candidacy. He said, "Didn't envision doing anything other than being a small-town lawyer, but said there were three fundamental reasons why he was seeking the office:
• To do a lot of good - a judge can affect people's lives in many ways;
• "My grandfather was judge from 1968 to 1983. Nothing would make me prouder as having the opportunity to serve the county as capably as he did."
• "This is the right time for me to do it now." He said "I am committed to devote my livelihood to public service."
Mr. Williams said that his background has "well-prepared" him for this position. He clerked for a federal judge in Philadelphia, practiced law in Chicago when his wife, who is a doctor, was in medical school; before returning ti Troy. He has practiced in federal courts in Michigan, Illinois and Pennsylvania, and said "It is unique to have there experiences and come back to Troy." He has filed on both Democratic and Republican ballots and hopes to win both nominations. His website is evanwilliamsforjudge.com, and he can be found on Facebook at evanwilliamsforjudge.
Bradford County Commissioners Darryl Miller and Doug McLinko also were guests. They gave the Chamber an update on the County's new tourism promotion agency. Mr. McLinko emphasized the importance the local Chamber have for the businesses they represent. He said the tourism agency was "pretty exciting." An eleven-member board has been established to direct the agency. The local chambers each are represented on the board. Mr. Schoonover is Canton's representative. "We appreciate Eric's input, "Mr. McLinko said. The search is on for an executive director of the agency, and the board will review the resumes from the various candidates. This will be operated in a similar fashion as the Museum and the Airport, in that the board, and not the commissioners, will exercise authority. He said the agency will be funded by the room tax and not through general taxes. The director will reach out to all the municipalities in the county. "We want to strengthen all the Chambers." Mr. Miller said that the new agency "will brand and market the county" in many ways and will visit community leaders. The marketing company has promoted places as diverse as Salinas, California and the Finger Lakes of New York. Agriculture will be a major emphasis of the campaign. It was noted that former Commissioner Mark Smith was very involved in the search for a marketing company, and new Commission Ed Bustin is vacationing and was unable to be at today's meeting.
Mike Strubel of the Elmira Jackals was a guest. The hockey team is reaching out to the Canton/Troy area. "It is our largest growing fan base, and there are lots of season ticket holders from this area." Ticket packages for next season are being sold, and for $180 fans can buy a season's worth of kid's tickets.
The secretary and treasurer reports were approved.
Ninety members have enrolled for 2015.
Breanna Allen is working on the Chamber brochure, which has needed frequent revisions because of the increasing number of members. This is believed to be the highest total of members the Chamber has ever attained.
The 30-ounce pitcher, which will be the third item in the Chamber's stoneware series, may be ready for sale by Memorial Day.
Jen Malehorn is organizing a joint mixer with several Chambers including Troy and Canton. This will be held May 12 at 110 W. Main in Troy. She said, "We want to have all chambers present to promote each other's events."
The Chamber has started a "Chamber Spotlight" column in the Independent-Sentinel. Passion Life Wellness was the first member profiled.
Mr. Schoonover urged members to send him news of their businesses so he can promote them on Facebook and other internet and social media locations.
Matt Carl of the LeRoy Heritage Museum has offered to share photographs and other images with the Chamber.
The Wine and Cheese Festival will be June 27. Ten wineries have signed up, and a cheese vendor, two food vendors and seven crafters have committed to the festival. Sponsorship mailings have been sent.
The Community Yard Sale Days will be June 25, 26 and 27.
The Chamber's block dance, with music be the McNett Country Band, will be June 13. Food vendors may contact the Sentinel office or the Borough office to sign up.
The Car Show will be August 7, with more details to be announced.
The Chamber voted to donate $50 to the Endless mountains Pregnancy Care Center golf tournament.
The Farmers' Market will begin when the weather breaks and vendors are ready to sell products.
Bradford County Regional Arts Council thanked the chamber for raising $269.45 for the Missoula Children's Theatre from sales of David B. Morris memorial ribbons.
Chamber declined to make a financial contribution to "Parks By Nature" app. This had not been budgeted and no funds are presently available.
The Chamber voted to join the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission at a fee of $100.
The Chamber voted to donate $30 to Western Alliance Emergency Services.
Present were representatives from these Chamber members: Schoonover's, Canton Borough, Wiggle Radio, Principle Enterprises, BCRAC/Rialto Theatre, Rekindle The Spirit, Oscar's, Canton Fire Department, Betzer's Gun Repair. Canton Antiques, Passion Life Wellness, First Citizens Community Bank, Canton Auto Supply, Canton Independent-Sentinel