Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce Feb 24, 2017
Government Affairs
From the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce

Dear Members,

This year the Chamber's Advocacy Committee is focused not only on vetting projects that come before us, but also on forward-thinking objectives we believe the city should be addressing. We will be discussing issues related to the downtown parking problem, ways we can make our zoning regulations more flexible in areas where needed, and exploring how the business community can work together with the city to curb our region's drug epidemic. We invite you to be a part of the dialogue and the solutions.

Why is your involvement so important? Here's why. I've been in Delray for 23 years, and during that time it has changed a lot. But that change was never instant. Rather, it has come as part of a process of well-intentioned people putting their heads together for the good of the community. But that in itself wasn't enough.  Of each good initiative I've seen in Delray, it came from the ideas of not just a few who thought they knew best, but from a shared voice of many people who vetted alternative solutions, found common ground, and arrived at the best solution to move our city forward. So to work best, the process needs input from you.

I rotated off of the CRA board last year after 10 years of service to that forward-thinking Agency. When I left, I asked myself if I had paid my dues, or if I should continue to stay involved in city issues. I decided that, one way or another, change is going to continue to occur in our town. I could either sit back and see what happens, or I could be part of the process that decides what happens. I chose the latter, and I hope you will too. If you are interested in providing input, please contact me or Todd L'Herrou by emailing [email protected].

Bill Branning
Vice-Chair of Advocacy

Op-Ed: Why the Candidates Forum matters!
The Mar 14 election is just around the corner, and many of us see this as a potential tipping point. The forces in town (many of them quite new to Delray Beach) that have opposed innovative infill projects like the iPic (which will fix a blighted portion of a downtown block and bring activity and business to the whole downtown in the often slow summer months) stand poised to return us to "Dull-ray."

Therefore, we encourage you to attend the Chamber's Candidates Forum at Old School Square, 6:30pm on next Tuesday, Feb 28. We are proud of our long history of promoting business in Delray Beach (over 90 years!), and of the reputation of our candidates forums. We invite every candidate, and we provide them the opportunity to explain their positions, then ask them very specific questions. No candidate will have seen the questions beforehand, although we believe that the topics are ones that concern business-people and residents alike.

Our moderator will be Vin Nolan of Palm Beach State College's Small Business Development Center. The forum will also be presented online via Facebook Live, and will be available for viewing after the event. After the forum, we ask you to consider what you've learned, and rally your friends and neighbors to VOTE on Mar 14th.

Economic Development Meeting - Feb 28th
Our first Economic Development meeting of 2017 kicks off at 8am next Tuesday, Feb 28, with the topic of "Made in Delray." 

The speakers are Ruth Mageria, Executive Director of CROS Ministries and Jayson Koss of Delivery Dudes fame, each discussing their "Made in Delray" businesses. 

Please join us at the Chamber as we learn from these innovators in our midst.

Commission Candidates Forum - Feb 28
Get to know the Candidates before you Vote!

Come learn about the candidates running for Delray Beach City Commission: Candidates will introduce themselves and explain why they are in the race, their background and qualifications and any other information that they want to add. They will then respond to questions posed by the moderator about important issues in Delray Beach.

6:30pm on Tuesday, Feb 28. Free and open to the public! The Chamber will also stream the forum via Facebook Live.

(City election will be held on Mar 14)

Governmental Affairs Calendar
Feb 28: Economic Development Meeting
Feb 28: Candidates Forum
Mar 1: City Commission Meeting
Mar 9: CRA Board Meeting
Mar 10: On the Record
Mar 13: Public Meeting: OSS Project
Mar 14: CITY ELECTION
Mar 16: Commission Special Meeting
Mar 17: Government Affairs Meeting
Mar 23: CRA Workshop / Board Meeting
Mar 24: On the Record
Mar 28: Commission Organizational Mtg & Regular Meeting
Governmental Affairs Resources
On the Record is a member benefit from the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, a bi-monthly newsletter on regional, state, and federal governmental and regulatory news that is relevant to your business. Articles and links contained in this email may not represent the views of the Chamber.   
Contents
Why the Forum matters!
Economic Dev't Meeting
Candidates Forum






 
Did you know...

... that Delray's first registered architect, Samuel Ogren Sr., is regarded as the "Father of Delray Beach architecture" after designing more than 250 properties, including The Sandoway House, in the city between 1924 and 1950.

 




 


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When people pass through our doors, they immediately notice something   different  - Some call it "connection", others call it "culture" or a unique "vibe." What ever "it" is, it's something you can't bottle, and it's something truly special. We're glad that you're a part of "it" too!