Chester Chamber elects new director
<span>CHESTER -- With a smaller turnout due to the first day of school, the Chester Chamber of Commerce held its first meeting since May on Aug. 19 at Reid's Harvest House.</span>
<span>Brett Bollmann, CEO at Memorial Hospital, was named the chamber's new director. A longtime resident of Chester, he was born in the same hospital he now oversees.</span>
<span>"To be able to be a part of the Chamber, an important part of the community, is a true honor," Bollmann said.</span>
<span>Bollmann said his role as director involves helping to support the growth of businesses in the community and encourage more businesses to come to Chester.</span>
<span>"It helps to have a local person on the chamber board," said Chester Chamber of Commerce President Bob Welker.</span>
<span>The Chamber did not meet in June due to its annual Citizen of the Year dinner and, according to its bylaws, does not meet in July. </span>
<span>The Chamber discussed a number of reports, including the new Popeye-themed T-shirts and sweatshirts. The Chamber ordered 70 T-shirts at $8 each, 70 sweatshirts at $15 each and four hoodies at $21.45 apiece.</span>
<span>"This is the first year we've gone to Silkworm and they feel different," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Linda Sympson. "They are better quality and SIlkworm is a member of the Chamber."</span>
<span>The Chamber has tentatively scheduled its "Trick or Treat in River City" Halloween event for Friday, Oct. 31. </span>
<span>It was reported at the meeting that Buena Vista National Bank had 400 children visit its location last year, with 21 businesses participating - including the Herald Tribune.</span>
<span>"I've had several businesses ask me already about it," Sympson said. "It is subject to being changed, dependent on when the City of Chester sets the date."</span>
<span>The Chamber also discussed its "Mr. and Mrs. Claus" program in December as part of the city's "Christmas on the River" celebration.</span>
<span>"Due to weather, we moved it to the (Chester Public) Library last year," Sympson said. "We had more than 200 kids come through."</span>
<span>"The Library is more than willing to support this," Welker said.</span>
<span>Chamber members heard a report from Alderman Dan Geisen about the recent natural gas leak in Chester and Bollmann gave a short report on Memorial Hospital's new bulk oxygen system, which replaced the original 1962 system.</span>
<span>Bollmann added that an active shooter drill at the hospital, originally scheduled for July 31, is in the process of being rescheduled - possibly for next month.</span>
<span>Randolph County Economic Development Coordinator Chris Martin updated the chamber on two upcoming events - the regional leadership breakfast in Kaskaskia on Sept. 5 and an economic summit at Christ Our Savior Lutheran High School on Oct. 5.</span>
<span>The Chamber of Commerce will have its 17th Annual 4-Person Scramble event on Oct. 11 at Chester Country Club with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.</span>
<span>"That's our No. 1 fundraiser of the year," Welker said. "We usually have around 100 participants."</span>
<span>The next meeting of the Chester Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for noon on Sept. 16 at the Chester Eagles. The lunch program will feature a presentation on violence in the workplace and anti-bullying in schools.</span>
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