Four Chambers in Southern Rhode Island

were stunned and deeply offended when the

South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce

announced a new name “Southern Rhode

Island Chamber of Commerce”. The new

name deceivingly gives the impression that

the group represents the businesses

throughout that region, is a gross

misrepresentation of that group’s service

area and present programs. By purposely

choosing to not communicate with the other

southern RI Chambers before this aggressive

re-branding tactic was undertaken, the South

Kingstown Chamber showed a callous

disregard for the other organizations

affected. It is the first time in history that

the collaborative efforts of the regions

chambers have come to a halt. Comments

made stating that Richmond and Hopkinton

did not have a chamber, and implying that

the SK Chamber would now be the voice for

that community were particularly offensive

to our Board. Having had a direct past

involvement with our Chamber, the South

Kingstown Executive Director was well

aware that our Chamber serves that

community and has for years.

Opposition letter poured in to the South

Kingstown Chamber Board from Town

Councils in 3 communities, from business

owners in Richmond and Hopkinton, from

past Presidents of this chamber, and more.

The four chambers asked the South

Kingstown Board to revisit their name

Last month, the State of RI EDC abruptly

closed the official welcome center building

at exit 3 in Rhode Island, much to the

surprise and disappointment of businesses

and tourism officials. The reason was

simple: state funding challenges have made

it impossible to maintain the $400,000 a

year facility that includes restrooms,

brochure distribution and staffing to assist

visitors. Many are upset that this center no

longer exists and that strict federal

regulations would prohibit a private

enterprise from utilizing the building.

Connecticut has very successful rest stops

Chamber News & Views November 2011 www.westerlychamber.org info@westerlychamber.org 401.596.7761

INSIDE - Business After Hours

- New Members

- ATHENA Honorees

- Italy Trip a Success

- Brews & Blues

- Destination Downtown

change decision. They did so, and

reaffirmed that they will keep the new name

despite the overwhelming regional

opposition and the many broken

relationships that have ensued. The 4

chambers, now formally collaborating as the

United Chambers of Southern Rhode Island

that incorporate gasoline stations, restaurant

services and retail operations. This concept

is not an option in RI however.

From our perspective, the closing of the

facility could potentially be a blessing in

disguise. Our Chamber of Commerce has

long advocated that the placement of the

state’s welcome center, 6 miles after the

state border, is actually a disservice to

Westerly businesses. By the time a traveler

stops to get information and pick up a Go

Westerly Magazine, they have long passed

our community. How likely are they to

double back and do a u-turn to visit our

with 1900 members, will continue to work

together on joint programming, leaving the

new “Southern Rhode Island Chamber of

Commerce”, with its 500 members alienated

from that partnership.

See unitedchambersri.org for more info.

beautiful beaches, charming village of

Watch Hill and historic downtown?

see “Welcome Center” page 2)

Widespread Opposition To South Kingstown Chamber’s

New Name, “Southern RI Chamber of Commerce”

State Welcome Center Closing Poses Opportunity

Buckley Heating & Cooling and

Belmont Market Announce “Heat

and Eat” Campaign to Benefit the

Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale.

Federal research shows that while all

families increase their expenditures on home

heating fuel during the winter, low-income

families offset this cost by decreasing food

purchases. In response, Buckley Heating &

Cooling and Belmont Market are partnering

in a new “Heat and Eat” Campaign to

benefit the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale

and increase awareness of its efforts to

create hunger-free communities. The

campaign will award a minimum of 25 new

automatic delivery fuel customers a $25

Belmont Market Gift Card. A matching gift

card will be donated to the Jonnycake

Center of Peace Dale. Buckley Heating &

Cooling Fuel Sales Representative Steve

Maciel, who also runs the non-profit End

Congratulations to Casa Della Luce for

winning the Chowder Cook Off for the

Rotary Club of Westerly. Their chowder

was sampled by hundreds of guests who

voted them tops among 20 local restaurants.

Stop by the restaurant today and sample

some for yourself!

NEW MEMBERS

Behan Family Farm

59 Maxson Hill Road, Ashaway, RI

401-741-7031

Contact: Matt Behan We are a family owned and run business

established in May 2011. Matt graduated

from URI in 2008 with a degree in

Aquaculture. Once all meetings and

licenses were acquired, we broke ground on

April 30th with 57,000 oysters. We are

considered a small farm at present but we

are filling up our 3-acre lease fast. Our

business is 100% organic and very

environmentally friendly. An adult oyster

can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day

removing nitrogen from the coastal salt

ponds. This helps to stop harmful algae

blooms which can lead to fish kills and poor

pond health. Oysters are grown in a

controlled method known as “rack and bag”

aquaculture. Because they are farmed, not

harvested from the wild, they are considered

very sustainable. Oyster farming is great for

the environment, economy and your health!

Deb Nigrelli (above right), Founder and

Executive Director of Rhode Island

Community Assisting Those In Need, was

named the ATHENA Honoree at this year’s

celebration at Lake of Isles. Over 200

people gathered to celebrate the

achievements and volunteer contributions of

7 outstanding women. They were: Carol

Amedeo, Virginia Brown, Karin Schwer

Gatch, Barbara Perino, Alexandra Stoddard,

June Strunk, and Deb Nigrelli. All were

lauded for their incredible impact on

business, their outstanding community

service, and their efforts to help other

women achieve leadership roles. Gerry

Cunningham of Geraldine Cunningham

Associates Financial Advisor (above left),

the event sponsor, said “it was a stellar

Global Inspirations

78 High Street, Westerly, RI 02891

Contact: Ted Pappagallo

860-705-1882 We are a family owned business established

in support of the artisans in underdeveloped

countries. We work with both Fair Trade

Organizations and Faith Based Initiatives in

an effort to promote Fair Trade and to help

raise the living standards of the artisans,

their families and their community. Our

mission is to offer distinctive handcrafted

products made from recycled, natural and

organic material at fair prices from over two

dozen developing countries in Latin

America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East,

Oceania and the Caribbean. We offer a

wide variety of crafts: hand carved wood

and stone figures, oil drum wall art, toys and

games, jewelry and accessories, collectibles

crafted from recycled metal and wire,

gourds and telephone wire, musical

instruments including d’jembe drums, home

decor, coffee, tea, a selection of volcanic

ash, vegetable ivory and sawdust crafts and

a unique collection of ornaments and

nativities, and olive wood figurines. Come

visit us in historic downtown. We are open

Tues, Wed, and Friday 2-8pm, Thurs 2-7pm

and Saturday 10am-5pm.

group of ladies this year. It’s just incredible

to think that we have this caliber of citizens

who are devoted to giving back and

inspiring others.”

Zoe & Co. was the sponsor of the ATHENA

Scholarship Program. They generously

provided 3 high school seniors with $500

each. Selections were made based upon

outstanding scholastic achievement,

community service and demonstrated acts

that help women. All 3 were also long time

Chamber volunteers. They included: Amy

Benevides of Westerly High, Alexandra

Konicki of Stonington High and Mary-

Catherine Stockman of The Prout School

(pictured below). To view the many more

images from the event, donated by Fordan

Bonardi, visit The Chamber on Facebook.

Welcome Center (contd. from page 1) Our Chamber is actively seeking an

alternative solution that would better serve

our community. We hope to identify land

off exit 93, allowing us to create a new

Welcome Center that would be supported by

the United Chambers of Southern Rhode

Island - Charlestown, Narragansett, North

Kingstown and the Greater Westerly-

Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce.

We are looking into trailers, converted

container office space, attractive stand alone

sheds, and other options. The new site

would be just off the exit, not on I-95 itself,

but would provide promotional literature for

our area, giving motorists the chance to

learn about Westerly and explore this

community BEFORE they have already

driven well past it. We would seek

corporate support through ads and a modest

brochure distribution fee.

Stay tuned for more information.

Barbara Perino of Washington Trust Co.

receives standing ovation.

Carol Amedeo of Westerly Airport

Association with Michelle Pendola,

Chamber President.

Deb Nigrelli Named ATHENA Recipient/Zoe & Co. Presents Scholarships

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A new initiative, spearheaded by Chamber

Director Lisa Konicki, supported by sponsor

Chelsea Groton Bank and facilitated by its

CEO Michael Rauh, is off and running. The

group met initially in September for 3 hours

with the purpose of bringing together the

key players in historic and distinctive

downtowns in the region. Participants

discussed the assets and the strongest

programs and events that drive business to

their downtown and the challenges facing

their business district today. They shared

case studies and took comfort in knowing

that those gathered around the room shared

similar problems and some could even offer

valuable suggestions or possible solutions.

Common challenges included:

Bringing multiple groups together

around a common goal

Not enough volunteers to run events

Getting people to think bigger

Developing/uncovering new leadership

(beyond the existing core)

Involving different geographic parts of

town in Downtown

Slow foot traffic/overall economy

Perceptions of safety in Downtown

Parking (both quantity and management)

Data collection for proving success of

events

Cost of public safety and permitting for

events.

It was a high energy meeting with active

participation from reps in New London,

Mystic, Norwich, Westerly and Wickford.

Other communities such as Old Saybrook

and Niantic were unable to attend the first

meeting but have pledged interest and

Niantic was actively engaged in the second

meeting. It was quickly determined that

there is benefit to creating a network to

share resources, cross promote, pool

volunteers, and even engage in a unified

regional promotion or event. The second

Meeting was dedicated to formalizing the

partnership and setting goals. They decided

A beautiful family- Whitney Krueger, Donna

Simmons and Grant Simmons, III

to use social media to a private forum where

they could communicate on a variety of

issues privately. They decided to create a

joint website that contains information and

logos and links to all of the Destination

Downtown partners. It would highlight

specific common denominators such as

“arts, culinary events, holiday happenings,

volunteer opportunities, recreation” and

more. They decided to seek professional

support for the web site and to seek grant

support for the cost of this undertaking. The

meeting locations rotate to each historic

downtown, and the goals of a Spring launch

for the website and summer event will

remain at the top of the list.

First-Time Chamber

Group Enjoyed Italy

Eighteen people from our community

enjoyed an 8 day adventure in Italy that

included Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. The

group spent time touring Montecatini, Pisa,

Lucca, Sorrento, Capri, Florence, Chinkah

Terre, and Pompei. It was wonderful

experience and as a result, The Chamber

will coordinate 3 group tours in 2012- a

repeat of this tour, a new region of Italy and

China in October. To see pictures of the

beautiful scenery, visit our Facebook Page.

MEMBER NEWS

Guytanno’s Café is under new

management. Guy’s brother Kris Gingerella

who has been there since the opening of the

restaurant in 2004 is now co-owner with

Bryan Giordano who has worked at the

restaurant for a year and a half. Patrons can

expect the same great service and quality

cuisine!

Antonio J. Mattero, D.D.S. is proud to

announce the transition of his dental practice

to Diana Radulescu, D.D.S., M.D. of DMR

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Inc. Dr.

Radulescu is a member of the American

Dental Association, Connecticut State

Dental Association, Rhode Island Dental

Association, American Dental Implant

Association and Academy of General

Dentistry. Dr. Diana Radulescu graduated

within the top 5% of her dental class at

Columbia University, NY. Dr. Radulescu

also completed her medical degree at Carol

Davila Medical School, Bucharest,

Romania. DMR Family & Cosmetic

Dentistry, Inc. offers patients access to the

latest techniques and treatments for all areas

of dental care from routine hygiene

appointments to full mouth reconstruction in

a gentle, compassionate setting. Dr.

Radulescu is committed to continuing to

offer the highest quality dental care to the

Westerly community that has been offered

by Antonio J. Mattero, D.D.S. for the past

forty years.

DMR Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Inc.

31 Crestview Drive

Westerly, RI 02891

401-596-7734

www.westerlydentist.net

Has Momentum

Scenes from Business After Hours

at WB Cody’s

CCI Computer Centers

On-site Computer Support

38 West Broad Street

Pawcatuck, CT 06379

860-599-1947

Waste

Management of

Rhode Island

Commercial Trash Services

(800) 955-0518

Benevides &

Turano LLC,

CPAs and Business

Advisors

85 Beach Street

Westerly, RI

401-596-9797

Brews & Blues

Scenes from Business After Hours

at Jonny Cake Center of Westerly