Chamber Bulletin - Stoughton Chamber of Commerce

The
Chamber Bulletin
Newsletter of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main St., Stoughton, WI 53589
TEL 608-873-7912 FAX 608-873-7743 Toll Free 1-888-873-7912
E-mail: info@stoughtonwi.com
Web site: www.stoughtonwi.com
Down At The Depot……
Meetings & Important
Dates
By Executive Director, Dave Phillips
JULY 2010
5
6
12
12
13
14
15
26
Chamber Office Closed (July
th
4 Holiday)
Arts Council – 9:00am, Giles
Dow Room City Hall
Board of Directors – Noon,
Depot
Victorian Holiday Comm. –
6:30pm, Depot
Ambassadors Club – 8:00am,
Depot
Retail Group – 6:30pm, EMS
Training Room
Visitor Services Committee –
3:00pm – Comfort Inn
Lunch & Learn - Noon –
Business Development
Downtown – Dane County
Extension Office, Fire Station
Training Room
AUGUST 2010
2
Economic Development Noon, Depot
3
Arts Council 9:00am; Giles Dow
Room City Hall
9
Board of Directors – Noon,
Depot
10 Ambassadors Club – 8:00am,
Depot
9
Victorian Holiday – 6:30pm,
Depot
9
Coffee Break – 6:00pm, Pour
House
11 Retail Group – 6:30pm, EMS
Training Room
14 Coffee Break Festival – Mandt
Park
16 Lunch & Learn – Noon,
Sponsored by Work Opportunity
in Rural Communities, Fire
Station Training Room
19 Visitor Services Comm. –
8:00am – Depot
23 Lunch & Learn – Noon,
Sponsored by Associated Bank,
Fire Station Training Room
** NOTE: 2 Lunch & Learns this month
Last month I included a copy of my letter to Mayor Olson regarding the awarding of the
contract for the HVAC work done at the Depot. Here is a copy of the Mayor’s response.
Replacement of the heating and cooling system at the Depot has been required for
some time now. Levy limits and tight budgets have caused funding for this project to be
removed from the budget for 2 years in a row. Acknowledging that the system had
outlived its useful life funds were allocated and approved last year for replacement in
2010.
Moving forward on the project city staff solicited quotes and walked potential bidders
through the depot describing the work requested. The City of Stoughton Purchasing
Policy for budgeted purchases with a cost under $15,000 does not require a formal “Bid,”
but quotes are to be obtained. Every effort must be taken to obtain 3 quotes. Written
quotes were obtained from 4 vendors – including one local merchant: Harker Heating &
Cooling, Inc., Clark Heating & Cooling, General Heating and Air Conditioning and
Johnson Controls.
The city’s purchasing policy further states: “Taking price, quality, performance and
service into account, the City will first give reasonable consideration to local merchants
whose price quotes are within 5% of outside merchants.”
The low quote for the work requested was obtained from Harker Heating & Cooling.
Their price was approximately 21% lower than the next quote received. The next lowest
quote was received from Clark Heating & Cooling.
Several issues have been raised. I would like to address them here.
1. The requested work was not the same of all vendors.
A verbal request does lend itself to possible irregularities; however I am
comfortable that all received the same requests. (An unused and unneeded
water heater was removed from the depot and disposed of by Harker at no cost
to the city.)
2.
Why were additional “local” vendors not solicited and given the opportunity to
provide a quote on the project?
Consideration was given and a quote was obtained from 1 local vendor. Could
we have done better and included others? Yes. This was an unfortunate
oversight. I will reaffirm our commitment to offering local merchants the
opportunity to quote or bid on city projects. That said – extremely tight budgets
require that we adhere to our policy of awarding work to the low quote/bid while
giving reasonable consideration to local merchants whose price quotes are
within 5% of that quote/ bid.
(Continued on page 2)
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – July 2010
June Renewals
Thank you to all of our members that continue
to support the chamber through their
membership. Your support is greatly
appreciated!
Please note that when we changed over to
electronic records those members who
joined the Chamber prior to 1980 do not
have the correct join date. Please contact
us so we can update our records.
Thank you.
Dean Health Plan – Stoughton Clinic
Michael Weber
Member since 2005
Devine Write, LLC
Kevin Devine
Member since 2007
McGlynn Pharmacy, Inc.
Dan McGlynn
Member since 2002
PaPa Murphy’s Pizza
Scott Blasing
Members since 2004
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Brooke Trick
Member since 2006
Three Gaits, Inc.
Dena Duncan
Member since 2006
June New Members
Wise Enterprise Group
John Eberhardt
600 Monroe Street
Stoughton, WI 53589
608-467-5456
2
(Down at the Depot Continued from Page 1)
3.
Why did we not use Chamber member merchants on a project taking place in
the Chamber?
Chamber offices are located within a city building requiring us to follow the
established protocol identified above. We do not differentiate between Chamber
and non-Chamber members when seeking local vendors. While I now
understand the “perception” of an out of town vendor doing work and parking
their vehicle outside of the Chamber office it was most certainly not our intent
to infer that local vendors were not capable of doing this work. Simply the low
quote on this project came from an out of town vendor. I realize and will
continue the discussion of how unintentional consequences of our decisions
can be viewed by others.
I have spoken with Dave Phillips at the Chamber, Keith Comstock of Clark Heating
and Cooling and Mike Olson of Olson Heating and Cooling regarding this matter. I
have also communicated via-e-mail with Chamber Board President Randy Mc Laury
and Chamber Board Member Mark Halverson. I have met with staff. We have heard
your concerns.
In closing, I apologize for any and all unintended perceptions or consequences. We
will renew our emphasis to utilize local vendors on city projects. We will do our best
to give local vendors or merchants the opportunity to participate in all city projects
while being ever vigilant to utilize tax dollars in the most efficient way.
I believe that economic development begins at home by supporting existing
businesses. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to clarify a few things and
reaffirm our commitment to local merchants. We can do better. We will.
Sincerely,
Donna L. Olson, Mayor
City of Stoughton
We appreciate the Mayor’s response and commitment to supporting local businesses.
We have put together a list of local contractors and businesses and the Mayor has
distributed that list to City department heads for their use in soliciting bids for future
projects.
Chamber Board Special Recognition
Linda Bradley & President Randy
McLaury
Vice President Tom Luttig & President
Randy McLaury
Outgoing Chamber Board of Directors, Linda Bradley and Randy McLaury were
presented with special recognition certificates at the June Board of Directors
meeting. Bradley has served six years on the Board and was Board President
during two of those years. McLaury has also served six years on the Board and
has been President the past two years. The Chamber would like to thank them
for their service and dedication to the Chamber and its members.
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – July 2010
3
Leadership Stoughton Graduates
By: Pat McNally, Director of Leadership Stoughton
Leadership Stoughton, a yearly class dedicated to preparing Stoughton’s leaders for greater civic roles
and involvement, concluded the 2009-2010 class this June. Participating in the class this year were
Sid Boersma, Carol Gabor, Rob Horstrawser, Dawn Marsh, Jim Shoeberl, Mary Smith, Tim Strandlie,
Tricia Suess, Teresa Sylte and Sue Vanderbilt. Participants developed and pursued community
service projects; creating festive painted trash cans for Stoughton festivals, investigating and
publishing information about connecting Stoughton Bike Trails, and developing a safe ride program
from Stoughton Taverns. The class took many local tours including Stoughton Trailers, Stoughton
Hospital, and Ortega. The class heard from a great variety of local experts on history, business,
volunteerism, healthcare, environment, education, faith, as well as arts and recreation in Stoughton.
The class also learned from the leadership experiences of Helen Johnson, Coleen Kehl, David Sharpe,
Bud Erickson, Terry Brenny, Peter Sveum, Lee Borkowski, and Kent Schroeder.
Enrollment for the 2010-2011 session will begin soon, so
keep an eye out for announcements and registration
forms from the Chamber.
Seated: Pat McNally; Standing (L-R) Tricia Suess,
Tim Strandlie, Sid Boersma, Carol Gabor,
Jim Sheoberl, Teresa Sylte, Dawn Marsh
Chamber Golf Outing – Fun in the Sun
th
The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce’s annual golf event held on Tuesday, June 29 was a huge
success! The weather was perfect as eighteen foursomes had a great time playing golf at the
Stoughton Country Club. On each of the par 3 holes, participants had the chance to win hole-in-one
prize as well as purchase raffle tickets – which could be doubled if they hit the green on their tee shot.
After the round, participants were able to network with other players - all while enjoying great food.
There were many prizes and awards announced at the end of the event. The members of the winning
men’s foursome were: Thor Anderson, Bob Greiber, Doug Hobson and Chris Schultz. The members
of the winning women’s team were Luann Alme, Heather McDonald, Kate Maerz and Michelle Eeg.
The Chamber will be presenting a $500 check to the Stoughton START program.
The Chamber would like to thank all of the sponsors that helped make this event a success.
TDS Metrocom
Unity Health/UW Clinics
Stoughton Courier Hub
Kayser Automotive Group
The UPS Store
Stoughton Trailers, LLC
Schroeder & Associates/TRICOR
Radio Shack/Hanson Electronics
Universal Silencer
Business Transportation Solutions
On Track Communications
Evergreen State Bank
Thor Anderson, DDS SC
Smokey’s Auto Body
Stoughton FFA Alumni
Computer Management & Consulting
Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
Chuck Housner – North Star Resource Group
Blackhawk Community Credit Union
Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care
Kegonsa Cove
Stoughton Hospital
Fuller Excavating
Home Savings Bank
McGlynn Pharmacy
Diamonds Direct
Conant Automotive
Culvers Restaurant
Stark Company Realtors
Landmark Cooperative
Thrifty White Pharmacy
Shaw Building & Design
Dunkirk Electric
Community Living Connections Promotions by Yolanda
Ozee Cars
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – July 2010
4
NEW Chamber Event - Grape Expectations 9/23/10
Tickets on Sale NOW!
The Chamber will host its first annual Grape Expectations Wine and Food Event on Thursday,
rd
September 23 at 6:00pm at Halverson’s Supper Club. Attendees will have the chance to sample
multiple varieties of wine, each artfully paired with mini gourmet meals, chocolates or cheeses. There
will be live music to entertain you as well as great auction items and raffle prizes. Each attendee will
also go home with a bottle of wine. Call the Chamber today to get your ticket!
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – July 2010
5
Stoughton Coffee Break Festival
2010 Logo Winner Announced
The Coffee Break Festival committee has selected the 2010 Coffee
Break Logo Contest winner! The contest was well received as the
committee received over 15 different logos. Kristi Panthofer of
Stoughton created the winning logo. Her logo will be used on Coffee
Break promotional information, coffee mugs and t-shirts. The
committee would like to thank everyone who submitted a logo and looks
forward to having the same contest next year.
Volunteers are also needed to help during the festival. If you or
someone you know is interested, please contact Erica Dial at the
Chamber office.
Join Blackhawk Credit Union in
celebrating the opening of their new
location in Stoughton
WANTED:
Anyone with internet
access!
Facebook users click here to
“like” the Chamber page
Click here to go to the
Discover Stoughton Blog!
Open House July 26th – 30th
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
Ambassador Ribbon Cuttings
Milio’s Sandwiches
New Location!
1400 N. Hwy 51
If anyone knows of a new business or a
business that has relocated and is interested
in a ribbon cutting, please contact the
Chamber at 873-7912.
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – July 2010
6
Board of Directors: President: Randall McLaury, Schroeder &
Associates, 873-8232; Vice-President: Tom Luttig, Luttig Imaging &
Photography, 577-2465; Secretary: Kari Manson-Hvam, Coldwell
Banker SUCCESS, 873-7731; Treasurer: Connie Mathison,
Associated Bank, 873-6666. Board Members: Linda Bradley, Jeff
Bradley Construction & Graphics 873.3337; Mayor Donna Olson
873-6677; Laurie Dybevik, Gunderson Funeral Home, 221-5420;
Randy Olson, Universal Silencer, 873-4298; Mark Halverson,
Business Transportation Solutions, 873-8210; Mary Gavigan,
Stoughton Area School District, 877-5000. Staff: David B. Phillips,
Executive Director; Erica Dial, Visitor Services Coordinator; Mickey
McCormick, Receptionist; Margit Gerber, Syttende Mai Coordinator;
Special thanks to Gail Ring for design of the Clock Tower logo.