The chimes toll again ...

A good crowd came out to help celebrate the sound of the chimes ringing again on the old post office downtown. This heritage building is one of a very few that we have left in Lloydminster and thanks to Larry & Robert Olynyk of Furniture Clinic, the City of Lloydminster, Mark Elliott from Enhanced Engineering and Braden Stolz and James Anderson from Bi-Systems Electric & Control for all the work they did to source parts, re-build the mechanisms and get it running. In the recognized style of Larry Olynyk, the chimes started with a bang and a colorful flair when Mayor Jeff Mulligan and former Mayor, Pat Gulak pushed the button.
Thanks to Ernie's Coffee House for making the special cake and for hosting the coffee time after the outdoor program.

Tonight I will be off to the Saskatchewan election All Candidates Forum at Lakeland College at 7:00 pm. This is a regular event coordinated by the Chamber when ever there is an election, either municipal, provincial or federal. It is a great opportunity to meet the candidates, hear what they have to say and ask some questions. Attending will be Meggan Hougham of the Green Party, Wayne Byers NDP candiate and Tim McMillan with the Saskatchewan Party.  It's open to the public with doors opening at 6:30.

We are busy at the office getting ready for the Christmas Trade Show on Nov. 18, 19,. 20 at the Lloyd Ex Alberta Building and Prairie Room. This three day event, held in conjunction with the Christmas Craft Fair has over 12,000 people through the gate over the three days. The spin off is huge  to the Lloydminster economy with hotels nights, restaruant visits, shopping and other consumer purchases in addition to the economic benefit to the vendors in the two shows. Hope to see you there.

Till next time ...... Pat

Mayor Jeff & former Mayor
Pat Gulak cut the cake

 

Getting a way ahead of myself..

Please by advised that the All Candidates Forum for the Saskatchewan election will be held on Oct. 27th at 7:00 pm at Lakeland College cafeteria instead of the next month as reported in my Thursday blog.
See you there
Pat

Business excellence celebrated ..

President Kevin Lundell & the Chamber of Commerce celebrated buisness excellence in Lloydminster with the Business Week Gala Awards on Wednesday night. Congratulations to Ken Kay on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. It is individuals like Ken who contribute so much to our community that make Lloydminster the best place to work, live and do business.  Congratulations as well to Lloydminster Animal hospital for receiving the Business of the Year award and to all of the recipients and nominees. The new format and location for the Gala appears to have been well received. Lakeland College provided some excellent appetizers and a huge thanks to Dale Beaudry and his staff from ATB for their excellent wine and service. Lloydminster Co-op very generously provided the appetizers for the intermission and Murray MacDonnell and his jazz band had great reviews. Thanks to the Vic Juba Theatre staff for their cooperation and to Ruth Knipsel for her beautiful piano contribution. Angela Rugama's singing of O Canada made us all proud to be Canadian. Glamour and Glitz as usual provided a special touch with their decorating talents. Karin Winter and Rob Anderson were a great team for the big screen presentation and vice president, Leana Ross and the  presenters did a fine job of handing out the awards. Thanks to all of you for making this a special night for Chamber members.

Once again Lloydminster has been recognized nationally, this time by CFIB, as one of the top two entrepreneurial cities in Canada for the 3rd time in 3 years. Businesses like the ones honored at the Business Awards gala are an example of why Lloydminster is repeatedly recognized as the one of the best locations to start a business. Many of our honored individuals and businesses have provided a fertile ground for business success, support and mentorship.

The work of the primary health care working groups is winding down and it has been an interesting and fruitful endeavor. Lloydminster will see some changes in the way health care is delivered in our community. It will be a longer term process but one that will benefit our residents and our health care professionals.  

I hope that I will see many of you out for the Saskatchewan election forum on Thursday, Nov. 27th at 7:00 pm at Lakeland College cafeteria. This is your opportunity to hear from the candidates prior to the election.

Till next time........

Pat

Small Business Week is here ....

Chamber president Kevin Lundell makes
presentation to Lloydminster Rotary club

Small Business Week will be celebrated in Lloydminster Oct. 17 - 21. Today, president Kevin Lundell gave an update on what the Chamber has been doing over the past year to the Lloydminster Rotary Club. It was interesting to see how many past presidents of the Chamber are also Rotary members. Rotarian, Hnatiuk started off his introduction of Kevin with the words something like .. "If you want something done, ask a busy person" and that is certainly an apt statement when you look at those in attendance at the Rotary luncheon today. Each person there has contributed in a significant way to helping to make Lloydminster the best place to live, work and do business. We have alot to celebrate in our community and Business Week is a great time to it.

Last week I attended the Saskatchewan Chamber Executive Leaders meeting in Humboldt. We were treated to some inspiring speakers and great networking with counterparts from across Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan  has had some exciting announcements and wins in the past week ... from the 2013 Memorial Cup in Saskatoon to the Grey Cup in Regina as well as the 2012 Briar and Tournament of Hearts in Saskatoon and Humboldt respectively. These are just a few events that I can think of off the top of my head and these kinds of events are possible due to dedicated volunteerism and a strong  business environment.  The Lloydminster business community has consistantly been an economic contributor for the province of Saskatchewan and has made possible in our community the many events that we have been so successful at hosting.

Congratulations to one of our contract staff, Vickie Lamb, on being awarded the Sask High School Athletics Assoc. Official of the Year for 2011. Vickie has devoted countless hours to officiating herself and mentoring and supporting other officials.

I hope to see you at the Business Week awards gala on Wednesday night at the Vic Juba Theatre.

Until next time......
Pat