Parade
Well, this is the 15th time that the CBA has sponsored or rather entered some sort of float, band or water delivery apparatus in the annual 4th of July Parade.
With this year being the 350th birthday of the Town or Chelmsford, the town decided to do the parade on Saturday, July 2nd and also recognize it as the 350th celebration parade.
What a parade it was. From my vantage point which was at the setup area near the McCarthy Middle School, I saw lots of busses unloading bands, band equipment, horses, bagpipers, scout troops, floats and many other things too numerous to mention. They were setting up as far away as the high school. What an event it was. This leads me to OUR entries. This year being a special celebration year the CBA 4th of July committee decided to present 12 different giant balloons, similar to what we see in a Macy Parade.
We started last November when Jeff Hardy called me on my cell phone. I won't forget it. I was driving back from a seminar in NYC and my phone rang. It was Jeff in his usual up-beat fashion trying to sell me on the idea of putting giant balloons in the parade. My first thoughts were things I can't mention here but as you saw, we did it. We sent letters out to all the members requesting sponsors for each balloon. The response was tremendous. Within 2 months all balloon sponsors were lined up and the show was on a roll. Our sponsors each selected their own balloon handlers that wore T-shirts identifying all participating business and also carried a banner with their business name on it down the parade route. Did I mention the difficulty they encountered guiding these balloons under the numerous wires crossing the street? There were a few minor mishaps but all and all this was a show most people will remember forever. If you didn't get a chance to see the parade, get a copy of the tape and take a look for yourself.
My special thanks go out to my committee members Jeff Hardy, Brian Ready and Bill Vines. Their efforts, generosity and willingness to give of themselves goes far beyond what any organization would ever expect from any member. Many thanks also to the people who stepped forward at the last minute to assist as balloon handlers. I wish I knew all your names. Till next year I wish you all a safe and wonderful summer.
Sincerely,
Hank Hamelin
Chairman 4th of July Parade Committee
From the President
Let me apologize for the lateness of this newsletter. The deadline was just before the 350th parade but I felt that it would better to wait so that we could take pride in what we have accomplished. Let's thank Jeff Hardy and Hank Hamelin for their tremendous effort in getting the balloons as envisioned early this year. The balloons were the absolute hit of the parade... no doubt about it.
I have enclosed some pictures... although I missed a couple because they were not upright at the reviewing stand. But... I got the parade staff person, Ellen Day, to pause the rest of them so that I could shoot them.
As a former Selectman, I had the honor and privilege to be one of the Grand Marshals... Note: I walked the parade. Who says I'm too old? Great parade and our contribution made it a success.
But... let's not forget John Chemaly and his committee (too numerous to list here) for their efforts in organizing the event... Big round of applause.
The biggest surprise of the parade to me was seeing Betty Lee (Morrison) Butler, the Chelmsford Tercentenary Queen in 1955, riding in 1955 T-Bird... She still looks terrific. What memories! I actually choked up.
Earlier... in May I performed at the Black Tie Affair, which also seems to have been a complete success. With a jazz quartet upstairs and a DJ downstairs in the Library, we had the best of both worlds... live and pre-recorded music.
In closing let me say that we should feel lots of pride as we prepare to address other matters... including the launching of SKIL.
Thanks for listening...
...REDeF
SKIL - Simply Keep It Local
The SKIL (Simply Keep It Local) initiative will be an on-going, 3-point, program to promoting local businesses. Each point is designed to give preferential treatment to local businesses. Each will have its own mission statement and Sub-Chair Person.
Business to Business (Brian Reidy, Sub-Chair...)
- Add Links to the CBA web site for CBA members' web sites and sort by category.
- Encourage local businesses to create an opportunity for other local businesses to quote on projects, needs and services.
- Develop innovative methods to promote Business-to-Business participation.
Consumer to Business (Lynn Marcella, Sub Chair...)
- Create a Public Relations program to promote "Local Purchases First"
- Emphasize service and local commitment by local companies.
- Promote CBA web site and its related "links" as a place to begin shopping on-line.
Government to Business (R E DeFreitas, Chairman)
- Solicit a commitment from the Town Manager, the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, the three Water Districts and other agencies to place local companies on all bidders' list.
- Allow local companies the privilege to quote on all Government purchases, no matter how large or small.
- Give preferential treatment to local companies when all other bids or quotes are of equal caliber.
The CBA will continue to monitor, expand and define each of these SKIL facets. The goal is to increase local business awareness, participation and success in every day business activity in Chelmsford.
...REDeF, Chairman, SKIL
SKIL Alert
It has been brought to my attention, by an unfortunate incident, that in order to qualify for local government related jobs a company should be on the State Bidders List. It seems that anytime a job is let out under $25,000 the Town agency does not have to solicit bids, they are allowed to select a vendor from the State Bidders List. Therefore any member company wishing to do business with the Town should apply to be placed on this List. This will remove any excuse for not using local vendors. You can do this on line by going to www.comm-pass.com.
This is important if you are serious about doing government work. Once you are on this List you are qualified for all cities and towns in Massachusetts. Check it out.
R.E. DeFreitas
New Member Spotlight
The Chelmsford Business Association would like to welcome one of its newest members Marsha Camillieri.
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