The President's Letter

Sally Griffin
2012 President

Are you feeling the same way that I am about the mild temperatures this year?

Yippeeee! Don't get me wrong. I like a good snow storm where you feel the world should be shut down for a week and you have to stock up on milk and toilet paper as well as get those chocolate chip cookies in the oven, asap. But seriously, have you noticed that the numerous 40 and 50 degree days have made people not hibernate? Have you noticed an uptick in business? I think I have!

We continue to live with daily bombardments of gloom & doom. If it's not the rhetoric from the presidential debates it's the continued rising gas prices. While we have mortgage interest rates at all time lows, the governor throws in his great idea to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction tax benefit. (Ok, that recent announcement has set me on fire). We make the choice whether or not to even listen to the morning news since the stories seems to set us off on the wrong foot for the day. As business owners, we've created our own system for blocking out negative news so we can concentrate on what's important for our livelihood, making money!

The Catonsville Chamber of Commerce tries to help us out in this regard. The kickoff event in January was a perfect way to start the year, stress free. The Knights of Columbus are always the perfect hosts, The Grilled Cheese & Co sandwiches with The Great Harvest cookies warmed our bellies and knowing that Baltimore County is on solid ground from Dan Gunderson of Baltimore County Economic Development, set a nice tone. Feeding off each other, whether with information or food, is a winning combination!

So, with a few signs indicating we are heading in a better direction and the weather behaving as an excellent silent member of our team, tell me how the Chamber can help your business even more. We have some great ideas planned for 2012 and would love to hear your thoughts as well. Come and join us on February 8th @ CCBC for a cocktail party. Experience Ship's Café newest drink, The Catonsville Ruby! We're here for you!

See you around town!