BOTTOM LINE - Microsoft...T h e C h a m b e r o f S o u t h e r n S a r a t o g a C o u n t y Volume 23 No. 11 December 2008 The BOTTOM LINE w w w . s o u t h e r n s a r a t o g a

T h e C h a m b e r o f S o u t h e r n S a r a t o g a C o u n t y

Volume 23 No. 11 December 2008

TheBOTTOM

LINEw w w . s o u t h e r n s a r a t o g a . o r g

Now More Than Ever…it’s time to grow your business!Let the Chamber help you!

Use our exposure-enhancing opportunities to make more profit in 2009!Check out our Directory and Newsletter Advertising, our Sponsorship Programs and

Mailing List availabilities to grow your Bottom Line!

2008 Chamber Holiday Celebration

Join fellow members and share the spirit of the holiday season!

Hyatt Place (I-87, Exit 12, Malta)Thursday, December 11th

5:30pm – 7:30 pm

Enjoy delicious Hors D’ Oeuvres, Cash Bar, and lots of great Door Prizes at the beautiful, new Hyatt Place hotel.

$20 General Admission & Walk-ins, $10 Chamber Members

Prepayment required at www.southernsaratoga.org or call 371-7748

Event Sponsor:

Sponsor

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2008/09

Mark your calendar nowfor these Upcoming networking events.

2008 / 2 0 0 9

2nd ThursdayNetworking Mixers

December 11Hyatt Place Hotel, Malta

Holiday CelebrationSponsored by Capital Bank

January 8Gold’s Gym

February 12The Winfield Group/

Abele Builders

March 12Curtis Lumber

April 9Seton Health-Urgent Care

May 14The Lodge-at

Saratoga Gaming & Raceway

Call The Chamber office at 371-7748 for information on

Sponsorship for these and other upcoming events.

Design & Layout byVelocity Print Solutions

370-1158

UpcomingEvents

Chamber Seeks 2009 Networking Mixer Locations

What a great way to gain exposure for your business!

If your office/facility has the capacity to hold 75+ Chamber members, why not con-sider hosting a 2nd Thursday Networking Mixer in 2009? It’s an excellent opportu-nity to showcase your business and staff to fellow members.

Currently, the months of October, November and December (holiday mixer) arestill available. Contact Denise Romeo at 371-7748 or [email protected] full details and host requirements.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for 2009 2nd Thursday NetworkingMixers, contact Loretta at 371-7748 or [email protected] for furtherdetails.

Committee on Small Business Resources (CSBR) Seminar Series:

“Developing Your Prospecting Plan for 2009”

Learn a process for identifying where your business will come from, identifying active and passive prospecting activities, and how to establish a “cookbook” ofdaily activity that will ensure your success.

Presenter: Lorraine Ferguson, Sandler TrainingDate: Wednesday, December 17Time: 7:30am to 9:30am

Where: Chamber Executive Education CenterCost: $15. for Members and Not-Yet-Members,

includes continental breakfast.Register: Online at www.southernsaratoga.org

or by calling 371-7748

Executive Education CenterAvailable for Rent

Do you need to book meeting/conference room space for meetings you are planning for 2009?

Did you know The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County offers meeting andtraining space to members at very reasonable rates and is conveniently located justoff Northway Exit 9?

In partnership with The University at Albany and home of the Weekend MBAProgram, The Chamber’s Executive Education Center seats up to 40 people and offers ideal space for training, seminars and meetings. Internet access as well as A/Vrental is available.

In addition, The Chamber conference room seats up to 20 people and is perfectfor small meetings with clients, customers and for employee training sessions.

In addition, coffee/food service may be arranged. For a tour of the space or to find out rental rate information, please contact Gail at 371-7748 or [email protected].

The Scotia-Glenville Children’s Museum – The TravelingMuseum is celebrating its 30th Anniversary of arousing

curiosity and stimulating an interest in learning in childrenadults in the Capital Region. Over 30 years, the museum has served over 1.3 million individuals through in-school educational programs, “leisure time learning” for adults and special series for after school programs, birthday parties, day camps, libraries, scout troop meetings. The museum is an all traveling museum without walls that travels to communities within a 50 mile radius of the administrative office in Scotia. For more information go to: http://www.travelingmuseum.org.

Pauline Bartel, president and chief creative officer of Bartel Communications, Inc., has been appointed to serve

a two-year term on The Stakeholders Foundation AdvisoryBoard. Advisory Board members serve as mentors to YoungPhilanthropists, Capital Region and provide counsel to theBoard of Directors of The Stakeholders Foundation. BartelCommunications, Inc., is a Waterford-based corporate com-munications firm. The company’s Web site is located atwww.paulinebartel.com.

As 2009 model year vehicles arrive in New CountryChrysler-Jeep Inc’s showroom, local customers will be

pleased to find that fuel economy has increased on 19 ofChrysler LLC’s car, truck and SUV models, representing 73 percent of the entire product lineup. American consumerscould see savings of as much as 6.7 million gallons of fuelper year with the 2009 fuel economy improvements. Formore information, visit the website www.newcountry.com.

Holiday Celebration and visit with Santa, sponsored byCA North Realty, Inc. and Corola, Bagnoli & Tollisen

on Sat. December 6 from 3pm-6pm at CA North Realty,Inc., 2381 Route 9, Ste.1 in Malta. Activities include craftmaking, decorating holiday cookies, visit with Mrs. Clausand face painting. Call 518-899-2222 for details.

Hannaford Supermarkets returns as the exclusive outletfor special advance discount tickets for the 12th annual

Capital Holiday Lights in Albany’s Washington Park. Start-ing Sunday, November 16, patrons can purchase their ticketsin advance at Hannaford for $10, a five dollar savings offthe regular $15 gate admission price. Capital Holiday Lightsreturns to Albany on 11/28 and runs through 1/3/09. Theevent opens daily at 6 p.m. Commemorating PAL’s twodecades of service to children in the community, this year’sCapital Holiday Lights features the theme of “an Olde Fashioned Holiday.” In addition, there will be carnival family fun rides in front of the lake house.

Park 19 Cookies’ Cinnamon Bun cookie was featured onthe Rachael Ray Show on November 18th as the “Snack

of the Day”. Visit their store location at 75 N. Main Street

in Mechanicville or order these tasty treats for the holidaysonline at www.park19cookies.com.

Curtis Lumber’s annual Haunted Hardwood HalloweenSale raised $3,200.00 for the Double H Hole In The

Woods Ranch in Lake Luzerne, NY via their 50/50 raffle.When the person that won the 50/50 raffle was informed,the generous winner told them to donate it all! For more information on Curtis Lumber, visit their website atwww.curtislumber.com.

In partnership with Price Chopper, Bellevue Woman’s Hospital, and the New York State Department of Health

Cancer Services Program, CDPHP® announced that it success-fully screened nearly 80 women during an eight-month breasthealth awareness program culminating during National BreastCancer Awareness Month in October. This is the third breasthealth community campaign CDPHP has hosted since 2006.Founded and guided by physicians, CDPHP and its affiliatescurrently serve members in 29 counties throughout New Yorkstate and seven counties in Vermont.

Steve Lyden of The Lyden Group Insurance Agency in Ballston Lake won “2008 Rookie of the Year” award

with Erie Insurance Company. The Lyden Group Agencywas one of 14 rookie Erie Insurance agents in the competi-tion. “We achieved this goal because Erie Insurance is naturally a “Great Fit” for our clients”, said Steve Lyden.For more information on The Lyden Group, visit theagency’s Web site at www.lydengroup.com.

Ellis Hospital announced the donation of EKG units to emergency medical services agencies, allowing EMS

professionals to transmit EKG’s from the field directly to the Emgergency Department and a cardiologist’s cell phone-saving time and the lives of heart attack patients. The donations were made to: Niskayuna Fire District #1, CliftonPark-Halfmoon Emergency Corps and Schenectady City Fire Department. Ellis Hospital is ranked Best in the CapitalRegion for overall cardiac care for 2008 by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading, independent health care ratings company.

Following the success of its Grand Opening weekend inOctober, Salad Creations has raised and donated $1,000

to the National Kidney Foundation of Northeast New York.Owner and Franchise Developer Stephen Kreisler, presentedthe check to the NKF’s Executive Director Carol Lafleur during a ceremony on November 6, 2008 at its Clifton ParkCenter store location. In addition, Salad Creations is pleasedto welcome two new faces to their management team –Michael Miller as General Manager & Maryann Cornell as Catering Director. Visit their catering website at www.saladcreationscatering.com and everything you need is at your fingertips.

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INTHEMMembers embers NNewsews

www.southernsaratoga.org • your home page

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Go towww.southernsaratoga.orgto download a copy of this newsletter…

Is Your Company Information Correct in theChamber Database?

The Chamber is preparing to print thenew 2009 Membership Directory and

Buyer’s Guide in January.

It is most important that the correct contact information about your company, including current employee names, email and website

addresses be in the Chamber database to ensure an accurate listing in the Directory!

Please check your information by logging onto theMembers Only page of the Chamber website:

www.southernsaratoga.org and review the information that is on file for your business. Members are able to make any changes necessary to their own information directly on the website-

or call the Chamber office at 371-7748 if you have any questions.

Mother Nature sent a gentle shower rather than snow, butthere was still plenty of holiday spirit among the Chambermembers who attended the Holiday Stroll at Clifton ParkCenter on November 13th!

Special thanks to the following members who participatedin the Stroll and offered everything from wonderful foodand drinks, demonstrations, chair massages, gifts, samples and discount coupons: Nothing But Noodles,Bella Rouge Cosmetics, Energie Laser Therapy, FunWorksFamily Fun Center, Hair & Body Essentials Day Spa,Karalina’s, Melvin's Magnificent Magic Shop, Nail Trix,Salad Creations, Ta-da!! and Time Square.

Committee onSmall Business Resources

The Committee on Small Business Resources is committed to promoting and encouraging the expansion of the smallbusiness members of The Chamber of Southern SaratogaCounty through facilitating and enhancing the exchange,knowledge, ideas and sound business advice. Our goal is tocarefully monitor the needs of the business community andprovide relevant, value-added business education programsin the form of presentations, seminars and workshops.

In order to meet the needs of the small business commu-nity, the Committee on Small Business Resources hasplanned an exciting schedule for 2009 focused on the corebusiness segments: operations, legal, marketing, human resources, and technology. These seminars/workshops aredesigned to provide the business owner and their staff withthe necessary resources to effectively manage and grow theirbusiness. On December 17 the Committee on Small BusinessResources welcomes Lorraine Ferguson of Sandler Sales andher program ‘Developing your Prospecting Plan for 2009’.

In addition to the regular educational programming, the Committee on Small Business Resources is proud to announce the second annual entrepreneurial program,StartUp Smart. The StartUp Smart Program is a series of 7 educational programs focused on assisting the new and future entrepreneurs in the community by providing educa-tional resources to facilitate the start of their business.Scheduled to begin in March 2009, the StartUp Smart program is limited to 25 participants, so if interested please register early.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Committee on Small Business Resources or have a topic that you are interested in presenting or would like to hear more about, please feel to join us for one of ourmonthly programs, steering committee meetings or contact Loretta Rankin ([email protected]) or Kate Baker ([email protected]).

DROP-OFF DAYMonday, Dec. 8

Attention Chamber Angels Sponsors: Drop-Off Day for the Chamber Angels Program isMonday, December 8th from 9am-3pm at the CliftonPark/ Halfmoon Firehouse on Fire Road. Please call Denise Romeo at 371-7748 or email her [email protected] if you have any questions.

Holiday Stroll Thank You’s

5

Ribbon Cuttings

Cutting the ribbon on the new Shane’s Rib Shack located at7 Southside Drive in Clifton Park, are from left: ChamberAmbassadors Kevin Harkins and Rhonda Parker, mom andgrandmother of owner Jonathan Trager (holding scissors),Shane’s Manager Dave Zimmer, Chamber AmbassadorsAdam Barrett and Stephan Scribner. Shane’s features an extensive BBQ menu including pork, chicken, ribs and buffalo wings along with lots of other yummy entrees and side sides. For the full menu, visit their website atwww.shanesribshack.com or call 518-615-0555

Cocktail Bash

November 20thAn evening of fun, laughter, music, great food and drinks was enjoyed by all the Chamber members and friends who attended the Chamber Angels Cocktail Bash at Bentley’s Tavern on November 20th all to benefit the Chamber AngelsProgram.

THANKS TO THESE GENEROUS SPONSORS:

Whiteman Osterman & HannaJohn Carriero & Son Inc. Hannaford SuperstoreCommercial Coverage, Inc. New York State

Curtis Lumber, Inc. Electric & Gas (NYSEG) DeCresente Distributing Company Seton Health/

Fidelis Care St. Mary’s HospitalTurbo Parts, Inc. Walmart

Cutting the ribbon on the soon to open Whistle Stop LearningCenter, located at 79 Viall Avenue in Mechanicville are fromleft: Chamber Ambassador Kevin Harkins, Whistle Stop Director Mary Alice Hollenbeck, Teacher Sarah Le Claireholding her son, Mechanicville Area Community ServicesCenter Finance Director Holly Nann and Assistant DirectorHolly LaTorre. Opening on December 1st, Whistle StopLearning Center is fully licensed by NewYork State and is part of the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center. For more information, call 518-664-8322 or visitwww.mechanicvilleacsc.org.

Celebrating the expansion at SIXNET, LLC, located at 331Ushers Road in Ballston Lake are from left: David Connorsrepresenting NYS Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, Clifton Park Councilman Scott Hughes, NYS AssemblymanRobert Reilly, Chamber President Peter Aust, Clifton ParkTown Supervisor Phil Barrett, Sixnet Board of Directors FrankDo and David Belluck, SIXNET CEO Steve Schoenberg andCOO Maria Phillips. SIXNET is a privately-held Total Quality(ISO9001) manufacturer of industrial automation, data-acquisition, control and connectivity products designed for the harsh conditions found on plant floors and other extremeenvironments. For further information, visit their website atwww.sixnetio.com.

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DistributionPublished annually, this fi ne compendium of business information has a full year of repeat visibility, maximizing the eff ectiveness of the advertisements for as little as $41.00 per month.

Next Publication: January 20093,500 CopiesCopies are distributed to CEO’s, marketing and human resource heads other prime decision makers of present and incoming member fi rms.

It is also available to the general public for commercial and residential use.

The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County

2009 Membership Directory& Buyer’s Guide

see reverse for fi le preparation specs and size requirements

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andBuyer’s Guide

Membership Directory

Directory ListingsWhite Page Listing ............Included in cost of membershipYellow Page Listing ...........Included in cost of membershipLogo in White Pages .............................................................. $100

Contact Liz RoggenbuckMember Services Manager(518) 371-7748 or [email protected]

BillingAll ads must be paid in full by December 29, 2008to be included in the publication.

Commissions: Will be paid to recognized agencies on display ad space and position charges only at the rate of 15%

Advertising CostsCovers: Four-Color at no extra charge

Full page .......½ page ........ ¼ pageInside Front Cover ................ $2295 ......... $1395 ............ $995Inside Back Cover ...................2295 .......... 1395 ............. 995Outside Back Cover .................2655

Buyer’s Guide (Inside Pages)Black & White onlyFull Page .................................. $1295½ Page ........................................... 795¼ Page ........................................... 595/ Page .......................................... 495

All above rates are based on client/agency providing composed fi le. Refer to “Mechanical Requirements” for additional information.

Advertising Benefi ts for 2009! Included (at no extra cost) on The Chamber’s Website for

ONE YEAR with your paid print ad:

FREE 12 month rotating banner ad with hot link to your company website on chamber website homepage ($1,100 value)

Reach thousands of readers who log on to the chamber’s homepage each month

FREE Inclusion on advertisers listing page and hot link to your company website ($295 value)

Sends online buyers directly to your website

BONUS FREE logo included in white pages print copy with a minimum

quarter page ad ($100 value) Brings the readers eyes immediately your company listing

in the white pages

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Questions:Please contact Liz Roggenbuck at Phone: (518) 371-7748Fax: (518) 371-5025Email: [email protected]

Submit all ad materials to:The Chamber of Southern SaratogaAttn: Liz RoggenbuckP.O. Box 399Clifton Park, NY 12065

The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County

2009 Membership Directory& Buyer’s Guide

CREATING SUCCESS F O R A S T R O N GC O M M U N I T Y

PoliciesAll advertising accepted is subject to the approval of publisher regarding content and appearance.

Quality of reproduction is contingent upon quality of material submitted.

Mechanical Requirements3 Cover Positions: 4-Color Process. Full bleed available(add 1/8” bleed per side)

Inside Pages: Black & White. See below for sizes. No bleeds.

Acceptable Ad Forms: All ads must be submitted in digital/electronic format in any of the following: PDF, .tif, .jpeg, or .eps with embedded fonts or fonts converted to outlines in the case of EPS fi les. If it is necessary to submit ads in InDesign, Quark Xpress or Pagemaker, all fonts and graphics MUST be included on disk with the document.

No other programs/formats will be accepted. Final version hard copy of all ads, as well as information on program, version and platform (MAC or PC) must also be included.

Ads should be submitted in the appropriate color space (i.e.: 4/color process, or black & white).

Resolution: PDF fi les should be written for “Press Quality”, graphics should be 300 dpi or better.

Medium: Files may be emailed or placed on disk. If emailing, must faxor send fi nal version hard copy of ad.

Size Specifi cationsAd Size Width ................... Depth (Inches) ................ (Inches)Full Page (no bleed) ................................ 7.5 ...........................10½ page ........................................................ 7.5 .................... 4.875¼ page ....................................................... 3.5 ..................... 4.8751/8 page .........................................................3.5 ........................2.25

Trim Size: 8.5 x 11 • Maximum Image Area: 7.5 x 10”

7.5” x 10

full page half pagehorizontal

quarter pagehorizontal

eighth pagehorizontal

7.5” x 4.875” 2.25” x 7.5”3.5” x 2.25”

half pagevertical

3.5” x 4.875”

quarter pagevertical

eighth pagevertical

2.25” x 3.5”3.5” x 10”

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Chamber 101January 12th

Make a resolution to learn about all the benefits of your Chamber Membership!

Chamber 101 is scheduled for Monday, January 12th @ 4:00pm at The Chamber office. This informative review of all the benefits and opportunities offered bythe Chamber includes all insurance information, committee involvement, sponsorship opportunities and more.

The orientation is open to all members and is free ofcharge. Refreshments will be served. Please call theChamber to register at 371-7748.

MARVIN AND COMPANYAnnual Business Climate Survey

Attention members who own or manage a business:The 23rd annual Marvin and Company P.C. BusinessClimate Survey is enclosed in this newsletter.

In light of the country’s serious economic downturn, itis more important than ever to find out how CapitalRegion businesses are positioning themselves for 2009.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey andreturn as instructed. The results of this Capital Regionbusiness climate survey will be compiled by Marvinand Company, P.C., The University at Albany Schoolof Business and Your Chamber of Commerce. Informa-tion on the results will be reported on our website andin an upcoming issue of The Bottom Line newsletter.

Thank you to all the members who came out to support this year’s fantastic showcase!

A special thank you to the Southern Saratoga County YMCA for hosting the showcase this year.

Thanks to our Exhibitors and Sponsors:

VIP Exhibitor List:Verizon Wireless and Verizon Communications, Capital Communications Federal Credit Union, Topix.com, Saratoga BusinessJournal, Southern Saratoga YMCA, Adaptive Results, LLC, Clifton Park Urgent Care-Seton Health and SEFCU

Exhibitor List:1st National Bank of Scotia, 3N Document Destruction, Inc., AFLAC New York-Kari Fribourg, American Red Cross, AXA Advisors LLC, Bath Fitter, Canoe Associates Insurance Agency, Capital Bank, Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan, Capital Region Coffee News, Capital Region Living Magazine, Capitaland Home Improvements, Cartridge World, Ellis Hospital, Empire State College, Energie Laser Therapy, Expressions of Gratitude, Inc., Extra Innings, Faldoni’s Delicatessen & Catering Co., Fidelis Care, First Niagara Bank, FunWorks Entertainment Group LLC, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites,Hollandale Apartments and Health Club, Huff ‘n Puff, Justin J. Spraker – Ameriprise Financial Advisor, Lake Ridge Restaurant, Mabey’s Self Storage, Make It Fit, LLC, Mannix Marketing, Inc., Millview of Latham Assisted Living, Muttley CrewPet-Sitting, LLC, NBT Bank, Northeast Parent & Child Society, Park 19 Cookies, Queeney Financial Consulting Group, SCORE– America’s Counselors to Small Business, The Pink Dog Parlor, Residential One LLC, Salad Creations, Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina, SCORE, Seaglass Logowear, SERVPRO of Southern Saratoga, Small Business Development Center, State Farm Insurance-Thomas Rupert, Subway of Clifton Park, Tech Valley Continuity LLC, The Vital Bottomline-Marketing, UnifiedDigital Group, LLC, University at Albany, School of Business, Upstate Priority Insurance Agency, Virtually Yours 925.

Event Sponsors:

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Women in Business Updates

The 2008 Women in Business Fall Luncheon drew 100 women to The Albany Marriott on October 30thto hear from Professional Organizer Helen Volk on how to “DeClutter Your Space~De-Stress Your Work & Home Life”. A great lunch and networking, followed by the inspiring presentation motivated many in the audience to go back to the office and home to clear things out! Attendees also received a complimentary issue of Helen Volk’s book-Beyond OfficeClutter. Many thanks to our sponsors of this great event!

Baskets of Hope ProgramThe Women in Business Committee completed their final assembly for 2008 and provided 51 Baskets of Hope, 6 New Beginnings Baskets, 6 bookbags for kids with school supplies, many baby items as well as dozens and dozens of additionalpersonal care items to benefit the women and children seeking shelter through Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Servicesof Saratoga County (DVRC).

Baskets of Hope, the ongoing program of the Women in Business Committee, has provided essential care items, as well as school supplies, backpacks and domestic household items to the DVRC for three years now. This program has been most successful due to the generosity of chamber and community members. Thank you to all who have donated to thisworthy cause!

2008 Baskets of Hope Sponsor

Sponsor

Book Sponsor

2009 Chamber Sponsorship Opportunities

If The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County could offeryou increased brand and name recognition, opportunitiesto showcase your products and services, and connectionswith new and existing companies would you be inter-ested? Sponsorships are an excellent investment of yourmarketing dollars. • Are you looking for long range impact? Annual

sponsorship bundles ranging between $1000 and $4000offer year long, high impact exposure at numerous Chamber events. These bundles include the 2009 MixerSponsor, The Legislative Advocacy Sponsorship, The SmallBusiness Impact Sponsorship, The Chamber SupporterSponsorships, and the Women in Business Sponsorship.

• Do your potential clients frequent a specific Chamberevent such as the Annual Dinner or the Golf Tourna-ment? Event specific sponsorship levels starting at only$100 to give you great opportunities to get in front of thepeople you want to do business with.

• Not sure what the right sponsorship is for you? Chamberstaff can sit down with you and customized any sponsor-ship level for you in order to get the best results possible.

For more information please email: [email protected]

or visit the website at www.southernsaratoga.org.

The Chamber congratulates the following members’ for being chosen as a

“BEST PLACES TO WORK”by The Business Review for 2008!

Alpin HausCapital Communications Federal Credit Union

Community Care PhysiciansCornerstone Telephone Company

KeyBankMicroknowledge, Inc.

Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc.Northeast Parent & Child Society

Realty USASaratoga Hospital

Seton HealthSunmark Federal Credit UnionTeal, Becker & Chiaramonte

Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP

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The Business Council SupportsPlan for Reduced Spending“Governor David Paterson has presented a plan that makes difficult but necessary choices to reduce state spending to close an unprecedented budget gap that gets worse by the day,” said Kenneth Adams, president & CEO of The Business Council of New York State.

“The Governor is correct when he says the state’s current fiscal crisis has been caused by years of increased spending at unsustainable levels. The legislature must partner with the Governor and take action to face this crisis in a way that reduces New York’s addiction to spending,” added Adams.

“The Business Council said in April when the budget was passed that New York could not afford the planned spend-ing. The downturn in our economy and the loss of revenue from Wall Street has turned a bad situation into a crisis. Failure to act now will only further magnify the painful choices that will have to be made later,” said Adams.

“New York’s tax burden is already crushing for businesses and individuals. The state simply cannot tax its way out of this crisis, ” said Adams. “Should New York turn to the federal government for help, its request will have more credibility if the state can show it has taken action to get its finances in order.”

State Assembly Urged to Act Quickly to Lower Spending New York is facing an unprecedented budget crisis and must lower its spending to get through it, said The Business Council of New York State in testimony to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

“The Business Council typically advocates for an improved business climate, lower taxes, lower regulatory burdens, and reductions in other state-influenced costs of doing business. At this point in time, however, we see only one public policy priority, controlling state spending,” said Kenneth Adams, president & CEO of The Business Council.

“New York needs to make fundamental changes in govern-mental structure, and governmental programs, in order to achieve long term budget stability, and long term improve-ments in the state’s economic climate and economic performance,” added Adams.

The council called on the legislature to act with urgency in dealing with this crisis by reducing spending.

While supporting most of Governor David Paterson’s spend-ing reductions, the council voiced opposition to the proposed increase in taxes on insurers that could increase health care costs for employers.

“We are concerned about any new taxes and fees, we especially question the policy objective of taxing private health insurance, at a time when the state is struggling to

find money to pay for government provided or subsidized health coverage,” said Adams.

The full testimony is available at: www.bcnys.org.

The Business Council applaudsNYSAC’s call for budget cuts “The New York State Association of Counties’ (NYSAC) call for real reductions in spending is a serious bi-partisan rec-ommendation to cut the cost of government in New York and improve our economy,” said Kenneth Adams, president & CEO of The Business Council of New York State.

“To grow our way out of this recession and budget crisis, New York must rein in spending at both the state and local level. We support NYSAC’s position that spending cuts must be real and not simply a cost-shift to local governments and property taxpayers,” added Adams.

“We agree with NYSAC’s stand that the current crisis re-quires real reform in the way the state does business. The state must relieve local governments of costly mandates and allow local officials to deliver core services in the most efficient way,” said Adams.

NYSAC today put forth a series of recommendations to re-duce state spending by $1 billion dollars without shifting costs to local governments and property taxpayers.

NYPA-Alcoa Hydropower Contract will Retain Jobs A long term hydropower contract between the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Alcoa will retain jobs and secure capital investment, according to The Business Council of New York State.

“The Business Council supports this contract for two key reasons. First, it will result in a $600 million capital invest-ment, at a minimum, in a state of the art manufacturing facility. Two, it will secure nearly one-thousand manufactur-ing jobs in the North Country,” said Ken Pokalsky, senior director of government affairs at the Council.

“High paying manufacturing jobs are incredibly valuable, difficult to retain, and—especially in upstate New York—even more difficult to replace once lost,” added Pokalsky.

His remarks came in testimony at a NYPA hearing on the contract which would provide competitively priced hydro-power to Alcoa, which would commit to the investment and job retention.

Alcoa is the state’s largest private sector employer north of Syracuse and adds nearly $350 million to the local economy through salaries, pensions and local purchases.

The full testimony is available at: www.bcnys.org.

Material from The Business Council of New York State, Inc. For more information, contact [email protected].

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Beauty-HairCare/Tanning/Personal Care

(ALL AREA CODES ARE 518)Advanced Laser Medspa ..................................383-0022All About U Day Spa .......................................371-8790Arbonne International......................................309-3539Bella Rouge......................................................373-9500Five Thirteen…A Salon....................................899-5513Hair & Body Essentials Day Spa......................383-5000Hair Affair-Ernest J. Macy ...............................383-0673Mary Kay- Joy Pregont ....................................424-1823Nail Trix ..........................................................383-8900Nuance, A Boutique Salon ...............................383-5350Planet Beach ....................................................371-5700Monica Smith Skin Care ..................................783-5400Snip-Its, Haircuts for Kids................................373-0023Sunsations Tanning Studio...............................713-2009Zava Hair Studio .............................................383-0903Zen Hair Studio ...............................................383-9363

It’s good to do business with Chamber members!

Member’sSpotlight

‘Tis the Seasonby Peter Aust

As we begin to anticipate the upcoming holidays and all of thethings that make them special for each of us, I am reminded ofChristmas’ past. Growing up in a small town, I fondly remem-ber the excitement of “going downtown” and experiencing thewonder and fun of shopping in the brightly decorated stores.My brothers and I would roam the streets looking for that oneand only very special gift for Nana, Grampa and all the peopleon our list! We would wander in and out of the stores andoogle the decorations and of course, visit Santa in his custom-ary spot! We would find that prized gift and take it to the GiftWrapping Dept. to pick out just the right paper and bow tomake our gift giving special.

Today, we have many choices as to where to select our holiday gift items: mail order catalogs, the Internet, outlet centers outside our county, etc. Although times have changed,we feel that you can still evoke those special memories here inour community. The Chamber strongly believes that the localmerchants in our area play a vital role in our community. These businesses are not only our friends and neighbors, but asa group they are major employers in the area. They contributeto the local tax base and more importantly, they provide finan-cial support for various non-profit and charitable groups whichadd greatly to the quality of life we enjoy!

Your chamber is encouraging everyone this year to keep a short leash on your mouse and fewer miles on your automo-bile! Before buying on-line, check with your local Chambermember and give them an opportunity for your business. Identify gifts that could be purchased locally and support thesemembers who support the region year round. Purchase giftshere and positively impact our local economy, providing ahappy holiday for our members and employees. I’m confidentyou’ll remember those special times in your life and it’s sure to make your holiday bright!

Wishing you all the happiest of holiday seasons!

Let Us Count Our BlessingsAs we take stock of this mighty nation, still young and still growing, one of our greatest blessings is so taken for grantedthat it is often overlooked.

That blessing is your freedom to pick and choose. Not only in such vital matters as where you worship or how youwill vote – but in such ordinary ways as what dessert you will eat for dinner, what outfit you will wear to the dance, orwhich movie you will see on Saturday night. And it is that blessing – your simple freedom to pick and choose – whichproduces so many of America’s other blessings.

For example, nowhere is America’s bounty better displayed than in the shopping center of your town. Anystreet isthe crossroads of plenty in this land, whether it be a glittering Broadway or a quiet country highway; and every store,every business on that street is a living symbol of plenty – and of democracy.

It is your freedom to pick and choose which brings all those wonderful material blessings into the stores and shopson Anystreet – and keeps them there.

For your local merchant doesn’t just sell things to you…he buys things for you. It is his job to venture out into thegreat markets and production centers of America and bring back the goods you are going to want – in the particular sizeor shape or color or model you are going to like.

He must be ready to fill your needs and fancies at the exact moment you want them filled – or he fails. And in thelong run, even the giant manufacturers half a continent away must please you – or he fails. In America, you are the boss.

That’s the way our democracy works – every store across this land retails democracy. For without a free exchange ofgoods, you cannot have a free people.

So let us count the blessings we have today…and work with a will toward the even greater blessings of tomorrow.As they arrive, you’ll see them displayed for your pleasure in the shops all along Anystreet. And you can pick andchoose, my friend.

That’s America!excerpted from the Saturday Evening Post, December 1949 in a Douglas Crockwell illustration

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Upcoming Events Calendar

December8 Monday

3:45 pm Board of Directors Meeting — Chamber Office5:30 pm Holiday Mixer Celebration — The Hyatt Place Hotel,Malta. General Admission:$20. Chamber Members: $10.

Sponsored by: Capital Bank

17 Wednesday7:30 am - 9:30 am Developing Your Prospecting Plan for 2009—Chamber Exec. Ed. Ctr. $15. Chamber Members

25 ThursdayMerry Christmas — Chamber office closed.

26 FridayChamber office closed.

January1 Thursday

Happy New Year! — Chamber office closed.

8 Thursday3:45 pm Board of Directors Meeting — Chamber Office5:30 pm 2nd Thursday Networking Mixer — Gold’s Gym. General Admission:$10. Chamber Members: $5.

12 Monday4:00 pm Chamber 101 (New Member Orientation) —Chamber Office. No cost to attend, openn to all members.

21 Wednesday7:30 am - 9:30 am Search Engine Optimization —Chamber Exec. Ed. Ctr. $15. includes continental breakfast

LLOOGG OONN TTOO

www.southernsaratoga.orgTO REGISTER ONLINE FOR ALL EVENTS or CALL THE CHAMBER OFFICE at 371-7748