Chamber elects new executive
Ferry petition begins for extended hours
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 2, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
The Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce elected a new executive during their annual general meeting on June 25 at the Nahanni Inn.
The new executive team for the Fort Simpson Chamber of Commerce are ready to take on their roles. Past President Angela Fiebelkorn, left, stands with director Colin Munro, current president Kirby Groat, vice-president Dan Hilman and directors Pat Rowe and Ted Grant. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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Kirby Groat will lead the Chamber this year as its new president, with Dan Hilman taking on the role of vice-president.
Leah Keats has resigned as secretary/treasurer and that position remains vacant, although executive director Roxanna Thompson said the chamber is looking to fill that position with one of the directors.
Directors include Colin Munro, Pat Rowe and Ted Grant.
The Chamber is currently petitioning the GNWT Department of Transportation to extend the operating hours of the MV Lafferty ferry from 6 a.m. to midnight each day. Currently, the ferry opens at 8 a.m. and runs until 11:45 p.m.
The petition is being circulated and can be accessed at the village office.
It states that the chamber feels increased service will benefit both businesses and residents.
Past President Angela Fiebelkorn said she is especially pushing for an earlier start time to alleviate backed-up traffic waiting to cross, especially during holidays.
She recalled one instance where she was stuck waiting to cross the ferry for hours.
"We would like that fixed," she said in her president's report.
That was a topic the Chamber brought up on April 23 during a NWT Transportation Strategy public meeting.
Fiebelkorn said she fielded the idea of extended ferry hours to the department but has not heard anything significant back.
Place mat advertising
As one way to bring in revenue this year, the chamber is putting together an opportunity for businesses and organizations to advertise on paper place mats.
On June 26, the chamber circulated a letter to business owners and operators.
The place mats will feature a map of Fort Simpson surrounded by advertising space, and will be featured at the Nahanni Inn, Pandaville Restaurant and local bed and breakfasts.
Fiebelkorn said the chamber is planning to do three runs of the place mats, which will also include a list of community events.
"We aren't sure how many community events will go on the first one, but we're putting together a list of as many events as possible for the next two," she said.
The first run of 9,000 place mats will be used until September.
The second run of 5,000 will be used between October and January, and the third run of 5,000 will be used between February and May.
Non-members will be charged $1,050 plus GST for a colour ad in all three place mat runs. Members will pay $675.
For one run, non-members will pay $350 and members will pay $225.
Businesses without a pre-made ad can utilize the chamber's design contractor.
Keats gave an overview of the Chamber's financial statements during the AGM.
Net revenue for the year was $152,000 and as of Dec. 31, 2014, the chamber had about $6,700 in the bank.
Keats said the biggest expense last year was salaries and wages, followed by telephone bills and the cost of holding luncheon meetings. Keats pointed out the chamber's membership is up but its bank balance is down, although the chamber does not owe anything.
"Our head is above water, but we don't have a lot of spending room," she said.
