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State
Sen. Bill Beagle (left) is among those applauding as
2012 Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Ty Baker-Baumann presents
the 2013 award to Mike Henderson. (Bob Robinson photo)
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Henderson
is Chamber’s 2013 Citizen of the Year
By Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE – Mike Henderson, Mote & Associates, was named the Darke
County Chamber of Commerce 2013 Citizen of the Year on June 28.
The 2012 Citizen of the Year, Ty Baker-Baumann, introduced Henderson as
“a very humble person who serves quietly” as she announced him as the
recipient of the award.
The Ansonia graduate has been involved in many community projects and
organizations, including the Darke County Chapter of the American Red
Cross, the Community Improvement Corporation, Partnering for Progress,
Main Street Greenville and the Ansonia United Methodist Church.
Dignitaries Sen. Bill Beagle, Rep. Jim Buchy and Frank DeBosse (on
behalf of House Speaker John Boehner) presented commendations and
letters from their respective houses.
The Darke County Visitors Bureau Tourism Citizen of the Year award was
presented to Julie and Terry Clark. Tourism Board Member and Director
of Darke County Parks District, Roger Van Frank, presented the award.
The Clarks own Historic Bear’s Mill, having purchased it in 1978
shortly after it had been placed on the National Register of Historic
Places. Built in 1848, Bears Mill is the oldest water-powered mill
still operating in Ohio. Thousands of visitors a year explore the
4-story building. It is surrounded by walking trails and provides its
own power through a water-powered generator.
Julie Clark is a talented pottery artist while Terry is a retired truck
driver. Operation of the mill was turned over to a 501c3 group, Friends
of Bears Mill, in 1999.
Ben Taylor, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Region, U.S. Chamber
of Commerce, was the featured speaker for the program held in the Brick
Room of the Brethren Retirement Community. His topic was “What’s
Happening in D.C.”
“Uncertainty is the biggest fear of small businesses,” said Taylor.
Congress has an approval rating of 9 percent, he added. Primarily
because it can’t get anything done. Taylor noted that little was being
done to help the economy which leaves businesses wondering about growth
or investment.
“Immigration will be one of the few trains to leave the station in this
Congress,” he said. It needs to address borders, workers (of all
skills), verification and pathway.
In the meantime government spending has changed since 2010.
Taylor showed a chart, 2010 vs. 2013. Mandatory spending, primarily
Medicare, Social Security and education, represent the largest portion
of the budget; and it’s increasing. The smallest (but also growing)
area represents interest on debt.
“The blue area,” Taylor said, “is what’s left over: military, general
government spending, resource protection and so on. That is the only
place that can be cut.”
In 2010, the blue area was about a third of the budget. In 2013 it is
less than a quarter.
Taylor commented on the administration’s renewed interest in climate
change.
“That isn’t even near the top ten of the things business is concerned
about. At the top of the list is fear of uncertainty.”
Also on the list is the cost of health insurance. Taylor said the
bigger health insurance companies are starting to consolidate,
resulting in increasing rates.
He noted this could lead to a government public option.
Other items on the list included cost of energy and taxes.
In his presentation to Chamber members and guests, Taylor said the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce’s number one priority is jobs.
Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Chris Gigandet opened the meeting
and recognized COC 2013-2014 officers and directors.
In the Chamber’s Annual Report, Chamber President Sharon Deschambeau
noted that the Darke County COC ranked sixth in Ohio for grassroots
legislative advocacy in 2012 and received the 2013 Best Advocacy
Campaign Award from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to the annual meeting, COC major events include a golf
outing, State of the State Luncheon, Ground Hog Day Breakfast and
Chamber Ag Day.
Published courtesy
of The Early Bird
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Julie
Clark accepts the 2013 Darke County Visitors Bureau
Tourism Citizen of the Year award from Tourism Board Member Roger Van
Frank (Center) as her husband and joint recipient Terry Clark looks on.
(Bob Robinson photo)
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