By now, you’re likely aware that the Franklinton Township Chamber of Commerce has ‘come back to life,’ so to speak. This organization, in existence for nearly 25 years, has been kept alive by a core group of folks in the past couple of years. Thanks to the efforts of past president Darrell Chalk, new members have been brought to the Chamber, as have new, active members. I joined a year ago, and though it took us a few months to get moving, we kicked into high gear in November around the Christmas parade. An event that normally takes six months to prepare was handled in six weeks, thanks to the hard work and diligence of the Franklinton Fire Department, members of the Chamber, and Tammy Ray, Town Planner.
The Chamber next moved to host Fun in the Sun, it’s annual spring festival in downtown Franklinton. Of course, as anything I do outdoors does, it rained. But it was a wonderful day, and we had people from all over the area visit with us that day! Since then, however, the Chamber has worked to try and determine its next course of action. There are several things the Chamber could do – business directories, discount coupons and cards, other events…but when do we do them and what do we do? Of course, the Chamber would be able to do more if we had more members…so won’t you join us? If you’re a business owner in the greater Franklinton area, if you’re a citizen of the greater Franklinton area, or you just want to support the Chamber, become a member today!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Getting Around Town
I don’t get out as much as I’d like to. I must admit…work has been a bit hectic lately…summer is oddly a very busy time for us at NCAE, because that’s when we do a lot of teacher workshops, conferences, and leadership trainings. Coupled with working with the URC, working with Arts Alive, working with the Chamber…I only get to go where I’m invited. Please invite me! I LOVE to go to events, to visit with people! I just don’t always get an invitation, or an opportunity. If you’ll invite me…I’ll do my level best to be there!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
July 4th
What a great day it was! I had a blast. I managed to enjoy part of the day at the lake, and then headed back to Franklinton for the day’s events. Tammy, Kim, Kate, et al, had already packed everything up, and were ready to head to the athletic complex. I got there, and again, the dunk tank was off the field. (I’ve said it two years in a row now…the dunk tank has to be on the field, otherwise nobody comes over to use it!) We made about $100, which was cool. How’d we do it? Well…I spent three and a half hours being dunked like a fool…and I really appreciated the half hour break Harvey Satterwhite gave me. LOL Several people…mostly kids…came back three or four times with their $1 for 3 throws. One young man threw like he was in the major leagues. The baseballs flew into the tank a couple of times. A couple of folks spent about $10…and never dunked me. They got courtesy dunks, thanks to Anne Deal.
When I finally got out, and headed back to the URC booth to help Kim, Tammy & Kate…they were SLAMMED! Apparently, those glowing sticks, necklaces, yo-yos, and bouncy balls were quite the popular. We sold out of EVERYTHING we had. Next year, Tammy plans to order a bit more, I believe…
The American Legion did a wonderful job orchestrating the day. They had a very popular concession stand, and the entertainment was pretty good, too! (Commissioner Cutchins even got to sing ‘Franklinton.’ ) The brief video they showed prior to the fireworks was very well done – and the fireworks were great, too! I hate that we’re limited by the location we have to do it – but we don’t have any other location, so we’re tied to the athletic complex. But the fireworks we have are amazing, and even the hundreds of folks stopped along US 1 agreed! (That will be a bit better controlled next year.) The most wonderful part is that there has yet to be a skirmish, no scuffles, no issues….everyone just goes with the flow. And there were well over 2500 people there…and when you consider the 2000 census said we had 1745 citizens, and 2005 said 2409…we most ASSUREDLY had folks from outside of town come in! (Thus…tourism!!!)
I’d like to say thanks to all of the American Legion, the different groups and organizations who took part, and to everyone who came – you made it one wonderful event!
When I finally got out, and headed back to the URC booth to help Kim, Tammy & Kate…they were SLAMMED! Apparently, those glowing sticks, necklaces, yo-yos, and bouncy balls were quite the popular. We sold out of EVERYTHING we had. Next year, Tammy plans to order a bit more, I believe…
The American Legion did a wonderful job orchestrating the day. They had a very popular concession stand, and the entertainment was pretty good, too! (Commissioner Cutchins even got to sing ‘Franklinton.’ ) The brief video they showed prior to the fireworks was very well done – and the fireworks were great, too! I hate that we’re limited by the location we have to do it – but we don’t have any other location, so we’re tied to the athletic complex. But the fireworks we have are amazing, and even the hundreds of folks stopped along US 1 agreed! (That will be a bit better controlled next year.) The most wonderful part is that there has yet to be a skirmish, no scuffles, no issues….everyone just goes with the flow. And there were well over 2500 people there…and when you consider the 2000 census said we had 1745 citizens, and 2005 said 2409…we most ASSUREDLY had folks from outside of town come in! (Thus…tourism!!!)
I’d like to say thanks to all of the American Legion, the different groups and organizations who took part, and to everyone who came – you made it one wonderful event!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Website and Newsletter in Franklinton
So…why do we have a newsletter? After all, we have a website, and I have this blog, and my own website, right? Well, yes…but…how many 90 year olds are bloggers? (I think we’d all be surprised.) The gist of it is that we produce the newsletter so that we can maintain constant communication and keep all of our citizens updated. The newsletter is an important tool, but it’s just one tool. That’s why we have the website!
Our website is brand new – and yet, it’s not. We’ve had a website for about four years. However, it didn’t get functional until it got a new address. About four months ago, it went live. And I couldn’t be more proud of our Assistant Town Clerk, Wendy Gilliam! She’s learned, in very short order, how to make things happen with the website. We have most of our minutes from the last year or so posted, as well as all agendas, and important announcements. We put newsflashes there, and other pertinent information. It’s a near miracle that it’s up – because we weren’t sure how that would happen. But it’s coming along swimmingly, so please, please, please – use it! You can also e-mail all of your town commissioners there, as well as town staff! We’re going to be using it to bring more information to you. Look for updates weekly!
Our website is brand new – and yet, it’s not. We’ve had a website for about four years. However, it didn’t get functional until it got a new address. About four months ago, it went live. And I couldn’t be more proud of our Assistant Town Clerk, Wendy Gilliam! She’s learned, in very short order, how to make things happen with the website. We have most of our minutes from the last year or so posted, as well as all agendas, and important announcements. We put newsflashes there, and other pertinent information. It’s a near miracle that it’s up – because we weren’t sure how that would happen. But it’s coming along swimmingly, so please, please, please – use it! You can also e-mail all of your town commissioners there, as well as town staff! We’re going to be using it to bring more information to you. Look for updates weekly!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Water Discoloration
By now, everybody knows what happened. The water turned brownish-orange. It happened! I know…why bother talking about it now? Well, because I want to clarify a couple of things. Firstly, I didn’t find out what was happening until Saturday afternoon…so I was as in the dark as everybody else was. Secondly, can I ask for a little bit of patience? I know it's an inconvenience, and I know it was a bit freaky...but...I can't fix anything I don't know about, and I can't snap my fingers to make anything happen...my election didn't come with a magic wand.
Now, here’s where I’ll apologize. I snapped at a couple of people that Friday that I shouldn't have – because before asking how I was, before even greeting me, I was hit with, “You can’t even use the water in this town! We pay an arm and a leg for it, and you can’t use it!” Thus…I wasn’t in the best frame of mind at that moment, especially given things I had going on in my own life at that point. (You’ll read about that later.) So, for being less than cordial, I do apologize. (I apologized then, too...)
Should we have done things a little differently? You bet. Town staff have taken several steps so that this ‘perfect storm’ doesn’t happen again. A challenge of this magnitude hasn’t happened in quite some time…thus, we didn't know that it would get that bad, especially that fast. We did our best to correct it as quickly as possible…forgive us that it wasn’t as fast as it perhaps could have been, and that we didn’t put a notice up right away. But I promise…we’ll be better from now on.
Now, here’s where I’ll apologize. I snapped at a couple of people that Friday that I shouldn't have – because before asking how I was, before even greeting me, I was hit with, “You can’t even use the water in this town! We pay an arm and a leg for it, and you can’t use it!” Thus…I wasn’t in the best frame of mind at that moment, especially given things I had going on in my own life at that point. (You’ll read about that later.) So, for being less than cordial, I do apologize. (I apologized then, too...)
Should we have done things a little differently? You bet. Town staff have taken several steps so that this ‘perfect storm’ doesn’t happen again. A challenge of this magnitude hasn’t happened in quite some time…thus, we didn't know that it would get that bad, especially that fast. We did our best to correct it as quickly as possible…forgive us that it wasn’t as fast as it perhaps could have been, and that we didn’t put a notice up right away. But I promise…we’ll be better from now on.
Why’d It Take Me So Long?
This summer has been NUTS! And it’s AUGUST! What in the world? You’ll have to forgive me for taking so long to post in between. Between Movies on Main, an attempt at a vacation, the funeral of a friend, work, a two week ‘tour’ at three conferences, blah, blah, blah…it’s been busy. And I haven’t taken the time to write. Sorry…but I’ll do better. (I know…I’ve said that a lot.) Won’t happen every day…but it’ll happen. :)
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