To support our members through programs that promote business development and encourage economic growth, educational excellence and legislative advocacy.
Use following link to view the latest Member Buy Member participant list:
www.allenchamber.com
Executive Committee
Bob Rothe, Chair
Fortune Financial Services
Sheila McKinney, Chair-Elect
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen
Izzie Waller, Past Chair
RCL Enterprises
Patti McKee, Treasurer
Community Credit Union
Griff Moore
Atrium Financial Services
Maxine Sweet
Experian
Sharon Mayer, President/CEO
Allen Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
Al Holmes
Optymize
Dr. Toni Jenkins
Collin County Community College
Kathy Litinas
An Ideal Arrangement
Sonia Malone
Allen Premium Outlets
Rudy Mann
Sunbelt Telecommunications
Danny McLarty
MBA Architects, Inc.
Dr. Jenny Preston
Allen Independent School District
Charisse Reaume
Allen Economic Development Corporation
Chris Ryan
Xtera Communications
T. Randall (Randy) Sandifer
Attorney at Law
Worley Stein
American National Bank
Andy Stewart
Compliments, LLC
Peter Vargas
City of Allen
Jim Waldbauer
BW2 Engineers
Staff
Pam Fechter
Membership
Carol Rodgers
Operations
The Chamber would like to acknowledge and thank the following major investors
Platinum Investors
Experian
HIT Entetainment
Presbyterian Hospital of Allen
RCL Enterprises
Sunbelt Telecommunications, Inc.
Gold Investors
Carter & Burgess
Community Credit Union
Crest Place Apartments
Frullati Cafe and Bakery
FSI International
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse
Oncor Group
Sage Telecom, Inc.
Sam's Club #4743 Plano/East
Sanmina SCI
Suncreek Family Dentistry
Twin Creeks Master Planned Community
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Chairman's Message
by Bob Rothe, Chairman
There is probably going to be an alcohol election in Allen within the year. On September 1st, the law changed making it much easier to get these kinds of proposals on the ballot. A political action committee has been formed and they are attempting to place proposals on the February 7, 2004 ballot. There are actually three different proposals that can be voted on: beer and wine sales, elimination of the private club requirement for restaurants and liquor stores.
City planners have estimated that sales of beer and wine in Allen grocery stores could bring in an additional $11,000,000 in annual sales. This could mean additional tax revenue to the city of almost $100,000 per year. While there is no immediate benefit from eliminating the private club requirement for restaurants, city planners believe that new restaurants will bypass Allen if we have a private club requirement and surrounding cities do not. Hopefully, the elimination of the private club requirement would make Allen a more attractive locale for future restaurants. There are no studies that the city is aware of that suggest that passage of either of these first two proposals would lead to an increase in crime or have any other negative impact upon the city. A recent survey of Allen citizens showed that a majority of residents would favor passage of both proposals.
One of the mandates of the Allen Chamber of Commerce is to act as a legislative advocate for our member businesses. So, this issue recently came before the Chamber board for its consideration. We identified several Chamber member businesses that would benefit from the passage of such proposals and no member businesses that would be adversely affected. We also believe that passage of the first two proposals would be good for the local economy and tax base. As a result, the Chamber board passed a resolution supporting efforts to place on the ballot for the City of Allen proposals to allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores and to eliminate the requirement of private club status for restaurants and the resolution goes on to encourage passage of those proposals.
A copy of the resolution is attached. If you have any questions on how or why this resolution was adopted, please contact the Chamber staff or any Chamber board member.
RESOLUTION #02-03
IN SUPPORT OF AN EFFORT TO PLACE ON THE FEBRUARY 7,
2004 BALLOT PROPOSALS TO ALLOW BEER AND WINE
SALES IN GROCERY STORES AND TO ELIMINATE THE PRIVATE CLUB
REQUIREMENT FOR RESTAURANTS
WHEREAS, the Allen Chamber of Commerce is concerned about the loss by the City of Allen of sales tax revenue to neighboring cities and areas; and,
WHEREAS, we know that the major surrounding municipalities either have passed similar proposals, or are actively seeking to pass them; and,
WHEREAS, we have received estimates prepared by the City of Allen, which we believe to be conservative, that the lack of sales of beer and wine in the grocery stores of Allen could result in a loss of as much as $11,000,000 annually in revenue to our neighboring municipalities; and
WHEREAS, we believe that the elimination of the private club requirement from restaurants which serve alcoholic beverages would cause a significant increase in the development of restaurant properties in Allen, while the retention of the requirement will cause a loss of those developments to other municipalities; and,
WHEREAS, the citizens of Allen should be provided the opportunity to decide whether the laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages in their city should be changed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Allen Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors that:
SECTION I. We support the efforts to place upon the February 7, 2004 ballot for the City of Allen proposals to allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores and to eliminate the requirement of private club status for restaurants which serve alcoholic beverages.
SECTION II. We support the passage of proposed propositions to allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores and to eliminate the requirement of private club status for restaurants which serve alcoholic beverages in the City of Allen.
DULY PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS THE 12th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2003 BY THE ALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Robert S. Rothe
Chairman of the Board
Sharon Mayer
President
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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Bob Rothe, Chairman of the Board
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