Welcome to the Tuxedo Chamber of Commerce. We mean business.
The Chamber is a not-for-profit professional organization whose mission is to promote the business interests and serve the local community in and around Tuxedo, New York.
Our organization boasts more than sixty strong members, each dedicated to the growth and development of business relationships within the town and local area.
Please contact us today to find out more about the Chamber and how we can help you and your business today.
William A. Sweet
President
Later this spring, the Greenwood Lake Board of Education will vote to determine which high school they will send their students to in 2013 and beyond. Currently, 80% of the student population of George F. Baker High School is from Greenwood Lake.
The stakes are very high. If they vote to move Greenwood Lake high school students to another district, the damage to the Tuxedo business community will be catastrophic:
1) Greenwood Lake students would have their education disrupted unnecessarily - uprooted from a community that knows them and cares about them. High school is difficult enough without this harmful lack of continuity.
2) George F. Baker High School - Tuxedo's largest employer - will likely be closed in 2013.
3) Jobs will be lost. Teachers, administrators, and support staff will be released.
4) Small business in Tuxedo will be crippled. How many of your customers are teachers? How many parents from Greenwood Lake drive here every day? Students?
George F. Baker boasts smaller class sizes than every other high school in the county, which are statistically correlated to higher academic achievement. Our teachers and administrators care about the children of Greenwood Lake - their children - and fear that they will be lost in the shuffle in a drastic and harmful transition to a larger high school, where they will likely be lost in the shuffle.
We certainly respect the voters of Greenwood Lake and support their right to explore their options. However, we strongly believe that George F. Baker is the best candidate to provide education to their children.
We ask Greenwood Lake voters to make the best choice for their children - George F. Baker High School and Tuxedo - and not to believe the empty promise of tax savings which the other districts are promoting.
Since 1981 we have shared George F. Baker High School. Let's make it another 31 years together.
What Should I Do?
If you are a Greenwood Lake voter, contact your Board of Education and let them know that you support George F. Baker High School.
Because they will be making the decision, your opinion MUST be heard directly by the Board of Education. Here are the members:
Laura WilliamsRonald H. SommerEileen AddonisioKathryn El GheurMary FaganJohn FinnTheresa Williams
Thank you.
Coming Up In Tuxedo
The Garden of Hope - A Community Garden Initiative
Ongoing
Anne Meore
845.642.3012
Chamber member Anne Meore, is requesting support from local businesses for "The Garden of Hope," a community garden which is to be installed on the campus of Good Samaritan Hospital this spring. The garden will be a fully accessible structure, tended to by community members, including school groups, special needs students and religious organizations. They hope to grow vegetables and harvest them on a weekly basis for our local food pantries in Suffern and Sloatsburg. Requested in-kind donations include tools, plants, mulch, vegetable grade compost, a rain barrel, a storage shed and various services (e.g., materials and installation of of a path leading to the garden structure; electrical expertise for the installation of security lights, etc). When installation is complete, "green thumbs" and/or anyone wishing to obtain one or two "green thumbs," are welcome to volunteer their services to the ongoing maintenance of our garden.
If you are interested in supporting this worthwhile project, please contact Anne Meore at 642.3012 or anne_meore@bshsi.org. To learn more about Anne's horticultural therapy business, Planthropy, please visit www.planthropy.blogspot.com.
Election Results for 2012
The Chamber Board of Directors is proud to announce the results of our election for three trustee positions for 2012-2013:
Diane Bollen - Dragonfly Studios
Diane is the president of Dragonfly Studio Cafe, the Chamber's premier photography provider, a local business that provides award-winning creativity and innovative style. For the past three years, Diane has volunteered her time and expertise to the Chamber and has volunteered at our Annual Golf Outing, our Mixer, barbecue, and aided the Town of Tuxedo in several community events.
Shannon Moore - Guidecraft
Shannon returns to her position as trustee, which she served with distinction for the past 12 months as an appointee for a vacant position. An extremely talented graphic designer, Shannon represents Guidecraft, who makes high-quality educational toys and furniture. Shannon is the mastermind behind much of our graphic work and marketing efforts, and we are extremely excited to have her continue her service to the business community here in Tuxedo.
Emily Nicholas - Tuxedo Junction Inn
This fall, Emily took over management of the Tuxedo Junction Inn and has aptly guided her business through not only evolving changes in product, and a new website, but a name change as well! In the words of a visiting performer, her restaurant is "THE hot spot in Orange County," and has gone well above the call of duty in hosting several fundraisers for the Tuxedo PTO, victims of Hurricane Irene, and many more. We are thrilled to add Emily to our board.
Congratulations to all - Merry Christmas - Happy Hannukah - Happy New Year - and we will see you in 2012!
