Call to order: A monthly luncheon meeting of the Tierra Verde Business Partnership was held at the Island Grille and Raw Bar on November 6, 2013. The meeting convened at 12:00 Noon, Gaye Wurzbacher presiding in the absence of the President who was traveling and VP who could not attend due to an emergency.
Attendance: 32 – It was noted that only 30 signed in.
Introduction of the members and guests in attendance.
The next general meeting will be a Cocktail Mixer at the Island Grille on Wednesday December 4th from 5-7 PM.
Erin Clem provided a membership update. In 2013 we had 72 paid members and at today’s meeting we were 42% of our goal. It was noted that we had lost a couple of members due to moving and we had two new members at this meeting; Dean Forss of Summer Night Productions and Louis Corona with AFLAC. Welcome to both of you from the membership.
Directory – Aaron and Jennifer are working on the new directory. Deadline for camera ready artwork is 01/07/20/14. The deadline to send in your Directory Listing and Advertisements is December 20th 2013. If you want your email address published in the directory, please write it on the Directory Listing Form. 6500 copies were produced and distributed last year with 68 businesses participating and we expect 72 to 75 this year.
The TVBP website: tierraverdebusinesspartnership
Laurie Laurenty, Affiliate with the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber, discussed the chambers offer to assist in the possible effort to rename Pinellas Bayway S. with a more descriptive name for the Bayway to better define the area for the residents and businesses. She also stated that the TVBP can post their events to the Chambers Website. The Beaches Chamber is ready, willing and able to assist us with their sheer size and influence in any effort that we need their help with.
Jack Parker, a Director with the Tierra Verde Community Association, provided an update to the voting taking place in regard to the upcoming anniversary of the Brighthouse Contract with the TVCA and its residents. The opinion is that the fee paid to Brighthouse for basic cable was a good deal years ago, but may not make economic sense in the present time. If you are unsure as to how to vote, the TVCA can provide you with additional information on the options being considered.
Rick Botieri, of Rick Botieri Custom Interiors, in #207 on the upper level of the North Downtown Tierra Verde building, announced his Launch Party for 11/12/13 from 5-8 PM. You don’t want to miss this event.
Gaye Wurzbacher, Chairwoman of the Christmas Tree Committee discussed this year’s agenda and that TD Bank would again fund the tree to an amount of $5000. But, she also stated that it is unknown how long we can count on the bank to fund this. The question has arisen from businesses off the island about getting permission from the TVBP to participate in this event for a fee. There was a discussion and it will be discussed further at a later date for future events after 2013.
Jennifer Silva from Tampa Bay Watch was our guest speaker and discussed the Mission and Focus of the nonprofit stewardship program, including the programs they are involved with to protect the Tampa Bay Estuary and Ecosystem. Their efforts also included education of our youth to carry on the legacy into the future through camps and workshops and field trips.
Don’t forget to pay your TVBP dues. You can place your check in the drop box at Solutions Insurance in Downtown Tierra Verde’s north building.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gary S. Steinhauer____________________
Secretary Date of Approval
