Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from the Puyallup Sumner Chamber and Traci Nelson from the Best Western Premier Plaza Hotel.  We hope you have a happy holiday with your family and friends.

New Signs Around Town

If you haven't seen them yet, keep an eye out for the new Heritage Bank signs that are popping up all over downtown Puyallup.  The merge between Heritage Bank and downtown Valley Bank locations is complete and the new signs are evidence that Heritage Bank has an additional three banking locations in Puyallup's downtown core.  

Ambassadors Invade Charlie's Wine Tasting Event

Last week the Ambassador November Blue Invasion took place at Charlie's Restaurant where we all celebrated with lots of local wine tasting connoisseurs.  Though we've heard about the specialty event at our local restaurant, most of us had never participated.  We were "wined and dined" with a wonderful variety of wines and wine coctails paired with some fabulous tastings from Charlie's in house chef.  Needless to say, the food and adult beverages were great and my "Blue Companions" we as funny as ever.  Our Chamber Ambassadors would definitely recommend the wine tasting event at Charlie's and bringing your spouse.  It's a fun evening to learn new wines and menus, it's reasonably priced at $20pp and you can't beat Janice and Theresa's event hosting.  Tell 'em the Chamber sent you.

Emerald Ridge Pilot Program A Success

The Business Education Committee here at the Chamber has had a banner year in 2013 for successful programs and the new pilot program which was held at Emerald Ridge two weeks ago was evidence of all the hard work our committee has invested over the last 12 months.  Spearheaded by committee members, Patti McMullen and Tana Hassart, Insights from the Field was a hit with the AVID students at Emerald Ridge who are starting to think about which career field they are interested in and what education is necessary.  A big thank you to our chamber members who participated in the program and spoke about their training and job experience.  Salon Ish owner, Katelyn Corrado, spoke about her career journey as an entrepreneur, Captain Scott Engle from the Puyallup Police Dept. shared his education and career history, as did Sandy Maynard about her IT Director experience, Wil Johnson, as a KITE Teacher at PHS, Lise Musson regarding Science and her related career as a Boeing inspector, and Sandy Lewis who shared about the fast growing medical related fields.  The Chamber hopes to grow this program to include all high schools in the Puyallup and Sumner School Districts.  A big thank you to our Business Education committee members, Tana Hassart, Patti McMullen, and Sandy Maynard for all your efforts and expertise this year, and to our chamber members who participated and have a heart for our students and developing our local workforce.  It's economic development work at the grassroots level and much appreciated by our Chamber.

Operation Turkey Drop a Success

It's that time of year again when our Chamber partners with AUSA and lots of local businesses to deliver almost 400 frozen turkeys to our servicemen and women at Joint Base Lewis McChord.  This year I assisted two of my dedicated board members with deliveries to JBLM, Carlene Joseph, from Harborstone Credit Union and Dave Radcliffe from the Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse.  We picked up the Thanksgiving bounty at our local Walmart on So Hill at 0630 last Thursday morning and then headed south.  Though we made deliveries all over base, it was fun to connect with our local connector units, the 2nd Stryker Brigade for Puyallup and the 593rd for Sumner, as well as the 62nd Airlift Wing and 17 Fires.  Many thanks to our local AUSA Chapter for all their hard work in putting this project together.  It was very appreciated by the unit commanders and we heard over and over again how great they think our communities are.  Roger that from the Chamber, Col. Ziesman, and thank you for your service to our country.

Airmen Love Washington State

The Chamber hosted 20 airmen from Joint Base Lewis McChord, including our Guest Speaker, Col. Dave Harmon, Western Air Defense Vice Commander, at our monthly luncheon last Thursday.  The chamber members that attended really enjoyed Col. Harmon's  presentation about the mission and responsibility of the 62nd AW and the 446th AW at JBLM.  In addition, we all had a great time listening to each of the airmen describe what they liked best about Washington State.  Everything from the weather (believe it or not) to the Seahawks.  Just about every single one of the them advised that Washington was a great place to live, and that's music to our ears.  A big thank you to Col. Harmon and all of the attending airmen for making our November lunch so special, and especially for your service to our country.  Our communities really appreciate all that you do.  We also want to thank our sponsors, Linden Grove Health Care Center and  Eterna Vein and medical aesthetics.

Pierce County's Top Mega Transportation Project

For the first time, Pierce County has the top mega transportation project instead of King County.  And it's the result of our business communities' regional lobbying to complete SR 167.  

It's understandable that everyone is "issue weary" and pretty much sick and tired of hearing about SR 167, but this is the last push for the year on Pierce County's transportation project as legislators head back to Olympia.  Helping our state electeds get to "YES" by respectfully providing our voices and comments is the only way to success on this issue.

Investment in our state transportation infrastructure creates jobs, sustains existing jobs and keeps our region competitive in the global economy.  If you're wondering why our Chamber doggedly continues to advocate for this issue, look 25 years ahead for our region.  Is Washington State competitive and providing sustainable jobs for its citizens and residents, or have we fallen behind and become obsolete?

Your voice does matter!  Electeds specifically want to hear from local business.....and that's us!  Take 5 minutes, look below to determine who our Puyallup and Sumner legislators are, and pick up the phone and call them or email them.  

In Puyallup's 25th District, thank our legislators for supporting the transportation package.  Let them know that you, as a small business need transportation infrastructure and would like them to tell their colleagues that Washington businesses are relying on this.

In Sumner's 31st District, none of your representatives have expressed support for the transportation package.  Please let Senator Roach and Representatives Hurst and Dahlquist know that we need transportation infrastructure to keep businesses growing.  Tell them your own personal business story, if you have a product that needs to be delivered, etc. because the longer it is on the road, the more expensive it is to get somewhere.

And if you'd like some Extra Credit.......

Though we need everyone to make calls or send emails asking for a transportation package to complete SR 167, if you're comfortable talking about more specific issues like reforms you would like to see in this package, consider mentioning these examples:

• Putting sales tax from transportation projects back into the transportation fund instead of the operating fund so there is more money available for transportation;
• Streamlining permitting processes.  The Skagit River bridge incident was an example of how our State can respond to our transportation needs quickly, efficiently and less costly; and
• Increasing accountability to protect us from costly mistakes like the SR 520 pontoon debacle and the SR 16 off-ramp project that had to be rebuilt for a 12 ft realignment due to an engineering error. 

Make the call or send the email.......then let me know so we can publish your name as an investor in our future!

Your legislator contact information: 

25th Legislative District- Puyallup

Senator Bruce Dammeier

205 Irv Newhouse Building /  PO BOX 40425  Olympia, WA 98504-0425

Bruce.Dammeier@leg.wa.gov 

(360) 786-7648 

Representative Hans Zeiger

468 JLOB / PO BOX 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600

hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov 

 (360) 786-7968 

 Representative Dawn Morrell

306 JLOB / PO BOX 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600

morrell.dawn@leg.wa.gov 

(360) 786-7948 

31st Legislative District - Sumner

 Senator Pam Roach 

112 Irv Newhouse Building /  PO BOX 40431 Olympia, WA 98504-0431

pam.roach@leg.wa.gov 

(360) 786-7660 

Representative Cathy Dahlquist

426 JLOB  /  PO BOX 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600

cathy.dahlquist@leg.wa.gov 

 (360) 786-7846 

 Representative Chris Hurst

335 JLOB /  PO BOX 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600

christopher.hurst@leg.wa.gov 

 (360) 786-7866 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

Welcome Cathryn Lewis

If you've noticed a new face at our Chamber, that means you've met our newest member of the Chamber team and the head of our our member services here, Cathryn Lewis.  Cathryn comes to us with more than 15 years experience in the catering and food services industry heading up marketing and sales.  She understands business and has a passion for working with local companies to support their success.  Her common sense demeanor and experience with events and marketing is refreshing and a great addition to our hard working Chamber team.  Be sure and introduce yourself if you see her at one of our Chamber functions.  

Welcome Cathryn!

Waking Up at Dillanos!

I can't think of a better way to start the day than at a tasting room in a local coffee roasting plant like Dillanos.  And that's what our Chamber did this last Thursday morning even though it was pouring down rain and traffic was horrendous.  A big thank you to our member, Dillanos Coffee Roasters, who will be hosting our Wake Ups the first Thursday of every month.  This month our Sumner Wake Up featured our annual Fair Contest winner presentation by Washington State Fair Board Member, Dan McClung.  Next month's Sumner Wake Up at Dillanos will feature a tour of the coffee roasting facility, so be sure to put December 5th, 8am on your calendar and we'll see you in Sumner.

Helping Hand House Breakfast a Success

Once again Helping Hand House hosted a wonderfully heart warming annual breakfast to honor our local contributors who help make their program such a success.  Executive Director, Duke Paulson, welcomed all of the guests to the Pioneer Park Pavilion and shared many of their organization's success stories.  I am a big fan of this organization and their program to help our local families get back on their feet and provide education and training for sustaining their independence.  Helping Hand House is a wonderful resource for both the Puyallup and Sumner communities and another reason I truly believe these are two of the best cities in the country.  Kudos to Duke, his staff and his foundation board for all their efforts.  The results are meaningful and important to our communities.

Businesses Receive Awards for Fair Contest

Columbia Bank branches swept the winning categories at our Wake Up Awards Ceremony last Thursday at Dillano's Coffee Roasters for our best Washington State Fair decorations annual contest.  Fair Board Member, Dan McClung, presented the contest winners with their Award Certificate, Prize Ribbon, and a check between $150 and $75.  Here you see Columbia Bank's Rob Lewis, So. Hill Branch, and representatives from the Edgewood Milton and Graham branches as they stepped up to receive their prizes.  Some of the decorations were spectacular and represented many of the new attractions at the Fair this year like the Rainier Rush and Luminasia.  A big thank you to Dan McClung and the Washington State Fair for continuing this fun contest tradition at the Chamber.

Nominations for Rising Star Awards

It’s that time of year again to recognize our outstanding businesses and Chamber leaders in Puyallup and Sumner by nominating your favorite business or leader for our 2013 Rising Star Awards.

Please take the time to nominate chamber members you feel should be recognized and send us your completed nomination form by December 10^th.  We will publish the names of the nominees in the Chamber ePulse and present them with certificates at the annual Nominee Reception on December 19^th.  Award winners will be announced at our Annual Rising Star Awards Breakfast on January 9^th, 2014.

Click here for nomination form

Save the dates on your calendars:

Nominee Reception: 

December 19^th, 5:30pm, 

Group Health Cooperative, So Hill, Puyallup

Annual Awards Breakfast:  

January 9^th, 7:30am, 

Pioneer Park Pavilion, Puyallup

Transportation Call to Action

That's right.....the job is not finished and our Chamber is once again rallying our members for a final push to request a special session this November!

YOUR ACTION IS URGENTLY NEEDED!

The Governor and state Legislature are considering a special session, possibly at the end of November, to pass a transportation package.  This package, as it stands currently, is likely to include a significant number of projects that will benefit the South Sound region including:

Hwy 167 expansion and completion

Hwy 509 expansion to link with I-5 and Port of Seattle

I-405 interchange with Hwy 167

Tolled express (HOT) lanes from Renton to I-90

Completion of the Federal Way Triangle

Improvements on I-5 at JBLM

WE NEED YOU TO CALL OR EMAIL YOUR THREE LEGISLATORS THIS WEEK WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES:

• Please support and work for inclusion of the projects (listed above) important to the South Sound region.  

• These projects could bring more than 100,000 jobs to the region by reducing traffic congestion, improving freight mobility and increasing the ability for our ports to be globally competitive – THIS BENEFITS THE ECONOMY OF THE ENTIRE STATE AND INCREASES OVERALL STATE REVENUES. 

• Support reform ideas which bring greater transparency to project costs, increase accountability, reduce overall costs for road projects and speed up the permitting process so projects can be done more efficiently and quickly to enhance the benefit to the state’s economy.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS PACKAGE NOW RATHER THAN WAITING.  Many of our South Sound projects have been planned and studied for 30-50 years.  Our economy cannot afford to wait any longer.  The revenue investments will be worth the vote!

Find your legislator contact information below: 

25th Legislative District- Puyallup

Senator Bruce Dammeier

205 Irv Newhouse Building /  PO BOX 40425  Olympia, WA 98504-0425

Bruce.Dammeier@leg.wa.gov 

(360) 786-7648 

Representative Hans Zeiger

468 JLOB / PO BOX 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600

hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov 

 (360) 786-7968 

 Representative Dawn Morrell

306 JLOB / PO BOX 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600

morrell.dawn@leg.wa.gov 

(360) 786-7948 

31st Legislative District - Sumner

 Senator Pam Roach 

112 Irv Newhouse Building /  PO BOX 40431 Olympia, WA 98504-0431

pam.roach@leg.wa.gov 

(360) 786-7660 

Representative Cathy Dahlquist

426 JLOB  /  PO BOX 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600

cathy.dahlquist@leg.wa.gov 

 (360) 786-7846 

 Representative Chris Hurst

335 JLOB /  PO BOX 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600

christopher.hurst@leg.wa.gov 

 (360) 786-7866 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!

New Sumner School District Superintendent Meets With Community Leaders

Local Sumner community leaders had the opportunity to meet with new Sumner School District Superintendent, Dr. Sara Johnson, for an early morning coffee last Friday at the district offices.   Dr. Johnson spoke about the importance of community partnerships, early childhood development and some of the new technology strategies that are planned for the future as well as those already in place for some of the elementary aged students.  In addition, Dr. Johnson spoke about preparing high school students for new skills required for today's workforce and the statewide funding formulas which impact our K-12 education.  It was a great introduction to both our new superintendent and their plans for educational strategies into the future.  Definitely an encouraging message for our business community.  Welcome Dr. Johnson, and we look forward to hearing more positive reports.