Valentine's Day February 14th 83 Years of Progress 1921-2004 Volume 5 Issue 2 Published monthly by the Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce February 2004 Clarksville-Johnson County 83rd Annual Awards Banquet Plans are underway for the Annual Awards Banquet to be held on Thursday, April 8th, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the University of the Ozarks Seay Student Center Main Dining Room. The format of the upcoming event is a party ambiance allowing guests the opportunity to socialize. Dining will be in a buffet setting with a menu that includes a variety of tempting delicacies that will be presented throughout the evening. Awards will be presented in the following categories: Community Pride: An individual or an organization that is a Chamber member who has contributed to the beautification of the county and/or has contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life of citizens of Johnson County. Small Business of the Year: A business with no more than 25 employees that has contributed to the growth and betterment of Johnson County through their involvement in the Chamber and other civic/governmental organizations. Corporate Business of the Year: A Business with over 25 employees that has contributed to the growth and betterment of Johnson County through their involvement in the Chamber and other Civic/governmental organizations. Community Volunteer of the Year: An individual who has volunteered as chairperson and served on committees established by the Chamber. The recipient should also serve on other local/state/national organizations that address the enhancement of quality of life issues in Johnson County. Chamber Member of the Year: An individual who has served in a volunteer leadership capacity for the Chamber; serving on the board, chairing and serving on committees, attending monthly meetings, and a visible representative in Johnson County and Arkansas. Pillar of Progress/Lifetime Achievement: A Chamber member that possesses leadership qualities whose outstanding actions over a period of years have enhanced the quality of life of the citizens of Johnson County. The individual should also possess qualities that include: honesty, integrity and the respect of the community. Ambassadors Award: will be presented to the Chamber Ambassador's Club member who has received the most points in accordance with the club rules. Educator of the Year and Youth of the Year: awards will be presented in both categories in all Johnson County School Districts and to the University where nominations are received. Nominations will be accepted from the community in typed (10 or 12 font) or written form on 8 ½" x 11" paper. The nominee's name, address, where employed, and reason you are making the nomination should be included. All nominations are required to be signed by the nominator and received in the Chamber office, 101 N. Johnson Street, no later that 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19th, 2004. Tickets to the banquet are $25.00 and are available at the Chamber office starting February 15th. For more information on the banquet or awards criteria/procedures, or to reserve your tickets, please call us at 754-2340. Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce - 2004 Executive Committee Matt Wylie - President Freeman Wish - 1st Vice President Darrell Williams - 2nd Vice President Janice Joyce - Sec/Treasurer Lee White - Immediate Past President Government/Schools Judge Mike Jacobs - Johnson County Mayor Billy Helms - Clarksville Mayor Glenda Caldwell - Knoxville Beverly Wagner - Lamar Mayor Deborah Marvel - Coal Hill Dr. Rick Niece - Schools Board of Directors Chris Allen --- Sara Lee Hosiery Edward Anderson --- Individual Mark Estelle --- Wal-mart DC 6082 Dorinda Edmisten --- Ozark Rape Crisis Center Steve Fisher --- AR River Valley Dentistry Bliss Hicky --- Regions Bank Robbie Jackson --- East Mt. Zion Trinity Baptist Van Hill --- Individual Betty Killough --- Tyson Foods, Inc. Sondra McKelvey --- Individual Jim Pat Mills --- Mills Oil Company Robbi Mooney ---Mid South Roller Jackie Nowotny ---Nowotny Service Max Slaughter --- Johnson Chevrolet Steven Sosebee --- Simmons First Bank Harve Taylor --- Individual Denton Tumbleson --- Simmons First Bank Doug Wharton --- C21 Commercial Real Estate Executive Director Vicki Lyons Chamber Staff Karen Johnson Ramona Cogan (479) 754-2340 Fax (479) 754-4923 Email: cjccofc@cswnet.com New & Renewing Members *Gibbons Law Office, P.A. *Signs By Dale Alltel Ann's Arkansas Cycle Works Best Western Sherwood Inn Birch Tree Communities, Inc. Carol Martin Cecil Hardware Century 21 Glover Town & Country CenturyTel City of Lamar Clarksville Insurance Agency, Inc. Clarksville Light & Water Clarksville Medical Group Clarksville Refrigerated Lines Coldwell Banker Ken Stall & Associates Community Service Inc. Crews & Associates Curran's Abstract & Title David Taylor East Mt. Zion Trinity Baptist Church Fair Stores Inc. Family Practice Associates Family Shoe Store First Presbyterian Church Group "W" Insurance Johnson Chevrolet-Buick-Olds-Pontiac, Inc. Johnson County Farmer's Co-op Johnson County Graphic Johnson County Surgery Clinic Johnson Regional Medical Center Kiwanis Club of Clarksville Manpower McDonald's Morgan Farms - Peach Pickin Paradise Morgan's Fashions National Home Centers, Inc. Nulyne, Inc. OK Harvest Foods Ozark Rape Crisis Center Penmac Personnel Phil Taylor Insurance Agency Pyron Insurance Agency, Inc. Roller Cox Funeral Home Ronald Laster Russellville Printing Company Scott Smith State Farm Insurance Sonic Drive-In Taco Bell TDS River Valley, LLC Tyson Foods, Inc. U.S. Forest Service University of the Ozarks Veterinary Surgical Care Specialists Western Auto Whitson Morgan Motor Company Woodard's Carpet & Design Calendar of Events ARVTPR Meeting - February 3rd Dardanelle State Park 10:00 a.m. Tourism Meeting - February 5th Chamber 9:00 a.m. Industrial Surveys Due Back to Chamber - February 9th Ambassadors Monthly Meeting - February 10th Chamber 9:00 a.m. County Compact Meeting - February 11th Chamber 10:00 a.m. March of Dimes Community Council Monthly Meeting - February 11th U of O Pres. Dining Room Noon Fraternal Order of the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary Valentine's Day Dinner & Dance - February 14th 2404 W. Main (Old Catfish House) Tickets: $5 Single $10 Couple. Spaghetti Dinner 5-7 pm; Fifties Sock Hop 7-9 pm. All ages Welcome & encouraged to dress for the Fifties! (Under age 21 must leave by 9 pm) Leadership Johnson County Class - February 17th Education class Workforce Development Committee Quarterly Meeting - February 17th Clarksville Light & Water Conf. room Noon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting - February 18th U of O 11:00 a.m.; General Membership Luncheon Noon Speaker will be Melinda Gould about a program she wants to implement Fraternal Order of the Eagles Regular Meetings - Mondays Old Catfish House on Hwy. 64 West 7:00 p.m.; call 754-5078 for additional information Clarksville-Johnson County Development Foundation Board Meeting - February 18th Chamber 3:00 p.m. Chamber of Commerce Arts Co-op Meeting - February 19th Chamber Noon Commercial Development Committee Meeting - February 20th Chamber 10:00 a.m. Arkansas Arts Center exhibit "People and Faces: Images by African-Americans" through February 27th, Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; U of O Stephens Art Gallery Member FYI  Arkansas' December 2003 unemployment fell to 5.5%, down a five-tenths from November's 6.0%. One year ago, state unemployment was 5.4%. Nationally, the U.S. unemployment rate fell to 5.7%, but new job growth was relatively flat. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System saw a 5.6% increase in use in 2003 over the previous year, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 13.1 million tons of barge traffic moved up and down the river. The Little Rock Port Authority disclosed that its traffic was up 13% over 2002 levels. The increase in transportation is viewed as a sign of an improving economy. 2004 Governor's Conference Shaping Up The dates for the 30th Annual Arkansas Governor's Conference on Tourism are right around the corner - Sunday, March 7, through Tuesday, March 9. The conference, which is the largest meeting of travel and tourism professionals in the state, will take place at the Fayetteville Town Center and the Radisson Hotel in Fayetteville. This year's theme is "People, Partnerships and Progress." An excellent opportunity to network and gain new knowledge, the conference brings together different communities of people interested in the tourism industry - from attractions and destinations, lodging establishments, chambers and CVBs, governmental agencies, media and others. The conference will include an Early Bird Party, silent and live auctions, and the Governor's Banquet and Henry Awards Ceremony. For more information, contact Nancy Clark by phone at (501) 682-1120 or by e-mail at nancy.clark@mail.state.ar.us. Radisson Hotel in Fayetteville: (479) 442-5555. Clarion Hotel in Fayetteville: (479) 521-1166.  Arkansas.com Redesign Online Soon The complete redesign of arkansas.com, the state's official tourism Web site, should be live within the next few weeks. One of the site's most noticeable new features is the "immersive" tours, which provide overviews of the state's six geographic regions. Web site visitors can choose and read about each region of the state, view corresponding maps and photographs, and then select different areas within each region to find more information. Also new is a 360-degree IPIX photograph of each area. Many of the new features on arkansas.com are a direct result of focus group findings indicating that people who visit the site don't know much about the state.  Government Issues "Safer, Smarter & More Secure" Bills The United States government began issuing currency with new designs and security features beginning with the $20 note in late 2003. The most noticeable difference in the new design is the subtle introduction of background colors, which makes it more burdensome for potential counterfeiters because it adds complexity to the note. Different background colors will be used for each denomination. The next note to be issued for 2004 will be the $50 and a new $100 note in 2005. Decisions on new designs for the $5 and $10 notes are still under consideration. For more information about new currency designs, visit www.moneyfactory.com/newmoney. Highway Commission Meetings Scheduled Public Invited to Participate The Arkansas State Highway Commission has scheduled a total of ten meetings across the state to discuss the results of their 2003 Arkansas State Highway Needs Study, according to Highway Commission Chairman J.W. "Buddy" Benafield. The purpose of the meetings is to present the study results and solicit public involvement into the highway planning process. Each meeting will consist of a brief presentation on the current condition and future needs on the State Highway System, followed by comments from the audience. Written comments will also be accepted. Regional Meeting places are as follows; all meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. Fort Smith - February 17. Fort Smith Convention Center, Rooms 4, 5 & 6. 55 South 7th Street Little Rock - March 2. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department - Auditorium. 10324 Interstate 30 Springdale - March 11. Holiday Inn Northwest Arkansas/ Convention Center Holiday Inn. 1500 South 48th Street (intersection of I-540 and Highway 412) Russellville - March 25. Arkansas Tech University - W.O. Young Ballroom. 209 West "O" Street We encourage you to attend one of these meetings. The key to effective strategic planning is public participation. If you need additional information or have questions about the meetings, call Randy Ort or Glenn Bolick in the AHTD Public Affairs Office at 501-569-2227. Sales Tax Receipts 2002/2003 Comparison Jan-Nov 2003 Jan-Nov 2002 % 2003 Increase YTD % of Total Income 2003 Johnson County $910,394.77 $873,528.70 4.2% 50.72% Clarksville  $606,240.63 $584,345.97 3.7% 33.79% Lamar $111,643.96 $107,811.74 3.6% 6.22% Coal Hill $78,979.33 $75,777.99 4.2% 4.40% Hartman $47,024.80 $45,118.55 4.2% 2.62% Knoxville $40,318.08 $38,683.86 4.2% 2.25% Total 2003 $1,794,403.57 $1,724,573.81 4.0%