Brewster Chamber welcomes new officers, finalizes summer circus

BREWSTER – The Brewster Chamber of Commerce announced its new 2019 officers and set to work planning the year’s upcoming events, starting with a January membership drive, the summer circus, and other projects.

Following a vote of members last month, the Chambers 2019 officers include:
President: Anna Marie Dalbey
Vice President: Jose Said Velasco
Secretary: Mike Mauk
Treasurer: Lainie Hammond
Directors: Julio Talavera, Kathy Lowry, and Manny Hurtado.

President Dalbey announced that the Chamber is finalizing arrangements for the summer visit of the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus. The event application is being submitted to the city council with the tentative event date on Thursday, June 7, with two shows at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Brewster Police Chief Nattalie Cariker reported on the results of Cops N Kids and the Christmas Shop held at the Brewster Boys and Girls Club last Dec. 17.

“We raised about $800,” said Cariker, “and gave away 20 sleds donated by Brewster Drug.”
Cariker said the proceeds will be reinvested toward next year’s repeat of the event.

Cariker also announced that it is dog license time again and encouraged all dog owners in the city limits to purchase their 2019 licenses. Cariker said a reminder about 2019 dog licenses and related details is included with the monthly water bill.
January is membership drive month and both member and prospective member businesses will receive enrollment forms.

City councilman Manny Hurtado asked members to spread the word to city residents to be thoughtful about what they flush into the city sewer system. Hurtado said city maintenance personnel have found numbers of large items during recent camera inspections of the lines.

Members voted to leave the Christmas lights on the large evergreen in Legion Park through the year. Chief Cariker related her past experience involved with decorating the tree and said that the heavy-duty extension cords donated by the PUD combined with the new light strings that will continue to work even with a burned-out bulb are durable enough to leave on the tree.

New director Lowry suggested that the Chamber consider a project to encourage local businesses to sponsor decorated Christmas trees for auction next season. Cariker explained similar events held by the Omak and Conconully chambers and agreed to hook Lowry up with those involved.

The next regular meeting of the Brewster Chamber is 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6.