First Ever Theater Performance at Business After Hours

Act 1 Theater Co-owner, Petra Karr, explains to the audience what their
theater company does and how they have partnered with various community organizations.

It was the first time the Chamber featured thespians at a Business After Hours event.  Act 1 Theater Productions hosted a really fun evening for our chamber members providing entertainment and laughs for those who attended.  The mini-stage production included a spoof on selling girl scout cookies and while technically not a dinner theater, there was wine and appetizers for those who attended, as well as the proverbial "cookie".  

Act 1 has successfully partnered with different businesses and non-profits in the past to involve community and local volunteers.  We heard several businesses inquire about Act 1's assistant with a variety of businesses marketing opportunities.  It was Chamber networking at it's most "dramatic".  Thanks to everyone who attended, including Mayor Enslow and councilwomen, Kathy Hayden and Cyndi Hochstatter.  

Don't miss our next Business After Hours, Tuesday, September 16th,  at the Washington State Fair and Event Center.  It is free to attend, but you must pre-register for a ticket to get into the Fairgrounds.

A big thank you to Petra and Chris Karr and their whole cast and production crew.  It was a great night at the theater.

Informative 25th Legislative Candidate Forum for Chamber Members

Jordan Schrader, Government Reporter for the Tacoma News Tribune

was the moderator for the Chamber Candidate Forum

 Jordan Schrader moderated the Chamber's 25th Legislative Candidate Forum on August 8th. The Forum is part of the Chamber's business advocacy programs with the goal of providing opportunities for our business members to learn more about local candidates. Knowledge of our business challenges and issues will hopefully influence their votes if elected and reinforces that a healthy business climate in our region ensures we are competitive on a statewide, national and even global level.  

The Chamber's Government Affairs committee created questions that would address issues currently impacting our business community like transportation, minimum wage, funding education, and affordable health care.  In addition, candidates answered questions about unfunded mandates, working across the isle, streamlining permit processes  and re-evaluating the B&O tax. The questions were intended to help our businesses make informed voting decisions in the November election.

A big thank you to Jordon Schrader and our Government Affairs committee for contributing to the success of our event.

Lightening Round question regarding support for replacing the B & O Tax

with a business tax that is based on profit.

Lightening Round question about supporting legislation requiring one

statewide minimum wage and not allow individual municipalities

to set their own minimum wage.

CC Lucas and Membership Director, Cathryn Lewis

greet candidates at the forum.

Candidates Morrell and Renz have candid conversations with members about issues.

Chamber welcomes new member, Bob's Burgers and Brew Puyallup,

and their General Manager, Dale LaCoursiere, to our Candidate Forum.

Legislative Candidate, Melanie Stambaugh, discusses issues with new

Puget Sound Energy representative, Sharmila Swensen.

New member Jan Fernandez with Rapport Benefits Group had

an opportunity to ask questions of candidates Morrell and Renz.

Make A Difference and Join our JBLM Letter Writing Campaign

The Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce has joined with the South Sound Military and Communities Partnership to advocate on behalf of JBLM and request our congressional leaders to reassess the impact a potential reduction of 16,000 troops would have in our region.  Letter writing campaigns have been successful in other military communities to stem large  reductions of troops so our chamber has been asked to participate in a similar letter writing campaign for the JBLM Region of Influence.

Although we have already written to Senators Cantwell and Murray and Rep. Heck on behalf of our Chamber organization, we have also been asked to write individual business letters addressing the impact such a reduction would have on our economy.  A sample letter is provided below that members may use to outline the potential impact such a reduction would have on their business.  We are asking our business members to copy the text to an email, include their signature block to reflect their name and business, make any other revisions they feel are appropriate or include specific military statistics that apply to their business, i.e., number of retired military employees, percentage of military sales, etc. and then email it back to us for forwarding to the appropriate Army contact.  admin@puyallupsumnerchamber.com.

There is a deadline looming for these comments so we will need to have these letters emailed back to us by Monday, August 25th.  Call our office if you have any questions (253.845.6755) and THANK YOU  in advance for supporting our military troops.

Shelly Schlumpf, President & CEO

Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce

(Sample Letter)

August __, 2014

U.S. Army Environmental Command

ATTN:  SPEA Public Comments

2450 Connell Road; Building 2264

Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston,  TX   78234-7664 

RE:   Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) 

for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment

Greetings:

I am submitting this public comment in response to the Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment’s Proposed Action for Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington.  

With a population of app. 40,000 people in the City of Puyallup and app. 10,000 people in the City of Sumner, both communities are located within a short distance of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, in the base’s Region of Influence (ROI).  Given this, our cities have strong ties to the base, its soldiers, their families and the many local residents who support them.   Both Puyallup and Sumner have active Community Connectors to designated JBLM brigades.  Our business communities have repeatedly joined together to support and show our appreciation of our service men and women serving at JBLM with fundraisers, welcome home and going away celebrations, attending change of command ceremonies, awards recognition and more.

Our Chamber and local business members are very concerned about any further reduction in current JBLM troop levels and how any impacts associated with a drawdown are presented in the SPEA.   We respectfully disagree with the conclusion stated in the SPEA that the Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment would have only a “minor, adverse impact on population, employment, income, housing, and schools in the ROI”.    We strongly urge that the full potential impacts to the entire ROI, including the Cities of Puyallup and Sumner, be reconsidered and properly assessed.   Both Cities have strong legacies of supporting our local military population and the mission of JBLM, and we look forward to continuing that vital relationship.  

Thank you for this opportunity to provide comments on the Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Army 2020 Force Structure Realignment report.  

Very truly yours,

(Include your business signature block and logo here)

Salute to the Troops brings Military Guests to Downtown Puyallup

A big "Salute" to two well know faces for AUSA, Carlene Joseph and Eric Kantor. Pioneer Park was full of service men and women at Pioneer Park last Thursday as troops from JBLM received the royal treatment from local businesses and volunteers at the annual Salute to the Troops.  There was even an old fashioned pie eating contest with some interesting participants:  General Ryan, Puyallup Councilman Swanson, and State Representatives Ziger and Hunt.  When all was said and done....or eaten.....Councilman Tom Swanson raised his hands in victory! 

Many of our Chamber members supported the event and joined in the fun at the military celebration.  Congratulations to AUSA and Eric Kantor for an all American community celebration.  Read Carlene Joseph's recap of the event below.

Eric Kantor instructs participants about the rules in the Pie Eating Contest.
1st rule....no eating utensils.

Eric Kantor and the troops enjoy seeing Brigadier General Ryan
in the pie eating contest, sans any eating utensils.

Let the Pie Eating Begin!

Puyallup Councilman Tom Swanson wins the pie eating contest!

Cathy Morris and Debi Gregory have big smiles as they survey the crowd of military
service men and women in downtown Puyallup!

Puyallup Councilman Steve Vermillion, Mayor John Knutsen,  and  Brigadier General Kurt Ryan
discuss his strategy of pie eating at earlier contest.

Ambassador CC Lucas, Gateway Realty, and Dana Nuber, Cascade Christian Schools 

Robin Nolan from Bill Korum's Puyallup Nissan

Debi Gregory and Rep. Graham Hunt

Starbucks employees volunteer at event.

4^th Annual Association of the United States Army

Captain Meriwether Puyallup-Sumner Subchapter

 “Salute to the Troops” Kicks off 

“And the winner of the first pie eating contest, is City Councilman Tom Swanson,” said Eric Kantor, the Captain Meriwether Lewis Puyallup-Sumner Subchapter President, during the 4^th Annual Salute to the Troops.  The pie eating contest was one of many fun-filled activities included in the event, which took place in Puyallup’s Pioneer Park on August 14^th. 

“Approximately 2,500 – 3,000 people attended and we continue to do this event to show our community support of military families,” Kantor went on to say.   The day included tasty treats from Starbuck’s, free Pizza, free Root Beer Floats, free games, and free rides.   In addition, several pie eating contests ensued with the players being military children, soldiers, community members, and elected officials.   “The weather was perfect too,” said the subchapter’s financial administrator, Cheryl Mamiya.

According to Cathy Morris, the subchapter’s vice president, Pablo the Pony Guy kept many of the kinds entertained by offering free pony rides and the line was always long. 

Although not originally planned, local firefighters appeared in their fire trucks and showed their appreciation to the military community by raising the American Flag.  The flag remained erect until the event ended.   Following the event, service member families were invited to attend Pioneer Park’s Concert in the Park.

Later in the day, Mayor John Knutsen; City Councilman Steve Vermillion; Puyallup-Sumner Chamber President & CEO Shelly Shlumpf; and 593^rd Expeditionary Command Commander, Brigadier General Kurt Ryan attended to join in the fun.  State Representative Hans Zeiger stayed throughout the day to volunteer his time.

The event could not be possible without the generous monetary or in-kind support from the following organizations:  Nissan USA, Puyallup Nissan, Support America’s Armed Forces, Starbucks (Devin Craig and crew), Heritage Bank, Harborstone Credit Union, Fix Auto, Strategic Advantage, Edward Jones, Windermere Realty, US Family Health Plan, DeVry University, University of Phoenix, Northwest Harley-Davidson, Puyallup Four Square Church, Baskin and Robbins, Fun balls, Trident University, Columbia Southern University, Veterans United Home Loans, Foothills Family Furniture, Bay Equity, Patriots Landing, Serenity Air, Cascade Christian Schools, Harnish Auto Family, Better Properties, Armed Forces Benefits Network, and US Family Health Plan.     

Special thanks to the Puyallup-Sumner Subchapter planning committee for ensuring the day was a morale booster for military families:   Eric Kantor, Debi Gregory, Leslie LaCaze, Cathy Morris, Cheryl Mamiya, Petra Karr, Tammy Hemmie, Mike Snellgrove, and Carlene Joseph (main chapter president).   “We’re already making plans for next year”, said Kantor.       

Salute to the Troops Draws Military Guests to Downtown Puyallup

A big "Salute" to two well know faces for AUSA, Carlene Joseph and Eric Kantor.  There are lots of service men and women today at Pioneer Park as troops from JBLM received the royal treatment from local businesses and volunteers at the annual Salute to the Troops from 1pm to 6pm tonight.  There was even an old fashioned pie eating contest with some interesting participants:  General Ryan, Puyallup Councilman Swanson, and State Representatives Ziger and Hunt.  When all was said and done....or eaten.....Councilman Tom Swanson raised his hands in victory! 

Many of our Chamber members supported the event and joined in the fun at today's military celebration.  Congratulations to AUSA and Eric Kantor for an all American community celebration.  Stop and say hi and thank our military guests for their service to our country.  Plus, there's a concert in the park scheduled this evening that starts at 6:30pm.  The opening act is United Generation (contemporary rock) and from 7:00 to 8:30pm Sway (top 40 current hits) will be performing.

Puyallup Councilman Tom Swanson wins the pie eating contest!