Revere Chamber Now Monthly Newsletter Sep 2009

Revere’s Business News Source Serving Chamber Members — SEPTEMBER 2009 270 Broadway, #10  Revere, Massachusetts 02151  781-289-8009  [email protected]

BUY LOCAL: Do Business With Your Fellow Chamber Members

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ake a minute to look at where you spend your money: Do you shop fellow Chamber members for products and services? One of the very best reasons for being a member of the Revere Chamber of Commerce is that you join with other local business people to support our local economy. Interacting and doing business with

fellow Chamber members helps the Revere business community prosper and grow. Does your company currently offer discounts or specials to other Chamber members? If so, please let us know by calling the Chamber or emailing [email protected] so that we can help promote your discount. 781-289-8009

Working Chamber’s CALENDAR 2009 September 17 Good Morning Revere Business Breakfast Featured Presenter Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo “State of the Economy & Legislative Agenda” 7:30am to 9am at Four Points Sheraton 407 Squire Road

$15 members/$20 others

Revere on FOX25’s Zip Trip Friday, Sept. 4

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very Friday from April to August, FOX25 chooses a city or town across New England as the site to film their live morning news program Zip Trip. Revere was the chosen destination for the station’s September 4 edition. Featuring people, places and things that are good and unique to Revere, the Zip Trip crew set up shop at the pavilion on Revere Beach, directly across the boulevard from Kelly’s Roast Beef. While the program lasted three whole hours, airing live from 6am to 9am, it in-

October To Be Determined

cluded regular news components, weather, traffic and sports, as well as commercials. The remaining time, however, was filled with all things good about Revere. Chamber members featured were Mayor Tom Ambrosino, Ashley & Lauren Moschella of Maggio’s Restaurant, Steve Williams of Rent A Tool, Artie Perrin and Manny Paula of Kelly’s Roast Beef, and AC Tommaro of AC’s Cards and Videos. There were many other featured personalities and businesses as well. Left: Artie Perrin and Manny Paula of Kelly’s Roast Beef with a fabulous display of well-known favorites. Above: Brian Davis of Minuteman Press, Sheila Taymore of Comcast, FOX25 News Anchor Kim Kerrigan, and Al Terminiello of Advocate Newspapers.

reverechamber.org

“Revere’s Leading Business Organization Since 1979”

November To Be Determined

Thursday, December 3 Good Morning Revere Business Breakfast Election of Officers & Directors 2010 Featured Presentation: To Be Determined

2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Jeffrey M. Howe Treasurer: Joseph T. Scurio Secretary: Alicia R. Amico Immediate Past President: John J. Verrengia, PP Board of Directors: Jay Bolton, Annette F. Bornstein, Rosemary Cataldo, Brian Davis, Jane Rizzo, Sheila Taymore, Mary Ann Zizzo Executive Director: Laura K. Leone Revere Chamber of Commerce 270 Broadway, Suite #10 Revere, MA 02151 781-289-8009; fx: 781-289-2166

New State of the Art Operations Center for Cataldo Ambulance

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ongratulations to Cataldo Ambulance Service as they announce the grand opening of their new state of the art Operations Center, located at 25 Eastern Avenue in Malden. The new building will be Cataldo’s prime location for some management members and their new Communications and Dispatch Center. The new building will also serve as the new home of the Training Center which is fully equipped with simulation lab and additional space to accommodate the growing number of EMTs and paramedics hired by Cataldo Ambulance Service. The grand opening celebration will take pace from 3pm to 7pm, Wednesday, September 23 with the official ribbon cutting at 4pm.

Revere Says “No” to Local Option Meals Tax

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surprise to some, a relief to others, Revere joins the majority of communities across the state as it refuses the optional additional .75% tax on meals within the City’s borders. As of the August 31 deadline, only 30 cities and towns out of 351 voted yes. Those close to Revere choosing to adopt the new tax include Boston, Everett, Saugus, and Winthrop. Revere agreed to the 2% increase on local option rooms and occupancy tax. Early last month, after conferencing separately with Mayor Tom Ambrosino and some Revere restaurant owners and operators about the possible impacts of the proposed meals tax, the Chamber made a request to appear before the Revere City Council to express its concerns. “The Chamber understands the hardship the City faces as local state aid is slashed,” explained Chamber president Jeff Howe at the Council meeting. “We also agree that City services play an important 2

LOCAL OPTION MEALS TAX role in preserving vitality and safety within the City’s business districts and neighborhoods. However, we do not see the singling out of restaurants as an even way to spread the burden of bridging the City’s budget gap, especially in this economic climate,” Howe said. The state is offering the local option meals tax to every city and town in the commonwealth to take or leave. This is an ongoing gesture by the state without an expiration date that comes on the heals of extreme cuts in local aid. The August 31 deadline was for any municipality to vote for the tax to be installed by October 1, 2009. This is the ear-

liest date the local option tax can start, but not the only time. A community that did not vote by 8/31 or that voted NO can take up the vote again next quarter and in any quarter thereafter. If Revere should ever adopt the local option meals tax, the Mayor predicts it will be here to stay. “We know the tax is miniscule, representing only 15 cents on a $20 dinner,” said Howe. “But it comes alongside the shock of the increase in state sales tax. The Chamber is concerned about what psychological impact the compounding taxation might have on consumers and their spending behaviors, what effects it may have on the livelihoods of wait staff and on the restaurant industry as a whole.” More specific language about local option taxes is on the Dept. of Revenue’s website www.mass.gov. Once there, search for Local Option Sales Tax on Meals and Local Option Room Occupancy Excise. The proposed optional meals tax remains available to Revere for future consideration.

Historical Perspective: 1983-1988

Chamber Achievements Through the Years Barbara B. Tufts 1983-1984 As the Chamber’s first woman president, Ms. Tufts, representing Revere Federal Savings Bank, worked to grow the Chamber’s membership and increase the Chamber’s visibility within the community. She was instrumental in engaging the interest of prominent business men and women, encouraging them to join the Chamber’s Board of Directors. This infused the Revere Chamber of Commerce with credibility and a certain level of respect, paving the way for exceptional growth in the coming years.

which remains a highly anticipated annual event within the community and serves as the longest standing fundraiser for the Chamber.

Angelo “Sonny” Todisco

Bill Ferrullo 1985 Mr. Ferrullo, proprietor of Modern Day Plumbing, continued to grow the membership at a brisk clip throughout his time as president. His commanding presence and position within the community assured outstanding attendance at all of the Chamber’s functions and events. During his tenure, the Chamber partnered with United Chamber Insured Plans to provide small businesses access to group health insurance rates. Under Mr. Ferrullo’s leadership, the Chamber launched its annual Golf Tournament,

Pictured above: Mr. Todisco served as the Chamber’s president in 1986. Now retired from his position at DePiano & Todisco Adjusters, he still resides in Revere.

By now, the Chamber was starting to grow in leaps and bounds and had to purchase its first computer. The Chamber began distributing a newsletter to over 500 businesses and launched the Membership Courtesy Card program, which encouraged members to offer each other special discounts for products and services. Under Mr. Todisco’s leadership, the Chamber improved downtown parking

by supporting better access to the Municipal Parking lot on Sprague Street.

Jay Battista 1987-1988 During these years, the Chamber’s popularity within the community was evident as annual functions like the Installation of Officers & Directors and Pots of Gold drew crowds of over 200. The Pot of Gold was especially lucrative, bringing in profits of between $8000 and $9000. It was during Mr. Battista’s tenure that the Chamber held its first Business-toBusiness Exposition. The event, held at the Wonderland Ballroom was sold out and attracted huge crowds of spectators and vendors. Also around this time, the Chamber produced a 32-page booklet about Revere. With a fullcolor photo collage on the cover, the booklet included extensive information about the history, landmarks, culture, community development and health services in Revere.

Photos Wanted The Chamber is looking for photos of past Chamber officers, directors, members and events. If you have any you would like to share, please call us. 781-289-8009.

Membership Announcements Welcome New Members Beachmont Improvement Committee

c/o Ed DeVeau, 216 Crescent Ave. [email protected] (Jim Mercurio) Current Project: Beachmont Community Park, Douglas Cummings Square. Among the park’s attractions will be a 1700 square-foot patio of engraved commemorative paver stones; a memorial to all who think of Beachmont as a special place. Engrave Your Name Forever in Beachmont History Become a Part of the Park! For $100, you can purchase a 6” x 9” brick paver and engrave it with up to three lines of type. Call Len Piazza at 781-284-1362 for more information

Michael J. Boschetti, DMD, PC One Orr Square, Revere, 781-284-1430

www.michaelboschetti.com Congratulations to Dr. Boschetti and his team (pictured above) as they have once again completed the national cognitive and skills evaluations in accordance with the American Heart Association and the Basic Life Support for Healthcare providers.

Eleanor Vieira, president of Revere Beautification Committee, asks for your help to keep Revere clean and beautiful. Call their hotline at 781-485 -2770 to report graffiti, trash/litter, potholes, abandoned vehicles, etc. Written tips can be mailed to P.O. Box 166, Revere, MA 02151. 3

Above: Annette Bornstein and Eleanor Vieira stretch the Revere Beautification Committee’s banner. Below: Revere comes out in force for Zip Trip Revere. Maggio’s Restaurant: Lauren and Ashley Moschella, Lea Sasso, and Nancy Maniscalo show off Italian favorites at FOX25’s Zip Trip to Revere September 4 on Revere Beach.

Championship Banking

Member FDIC / Member DIF

Joseph T. Scurio Vice President / SBA Lending 67 Prospect Street Peabody, MA 01960 e-mail: [email protected]

AC’s Cards & Video Games: AC Tommaro’s Revere Street shop was another featured business. Pictured above with the store’s neighbors and friends Michael and Jimmy Fabiano.

Tel: (978) 977-2265 Fax: (978) 977-2879

Your Ad Here Full Color Advertising Reasonable Rates Call 781-289-8009 for info.

Mixing it up: Ward 3 Councilor Arthur Guinnasso, Brian Davis, Laurie Leone, FOX25 Morning News Anchor Doug “VB” Goudie, Joan Buonopane of North Shore Flower Exchange, Sheila Taymore and Al Terminello share a minute during Revere’s Zip Trip.

Above: State Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein, Jeff Howe and Brian Davis enjoy the occasion on Revere Beach.

$$$ WANTED $$$ Old Jewelry and Coins Trade or Sell Your Old Jewelry Highest Prices Paid

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Jewelry Box

Most Watch Batteries

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781-286-CASH 781-284-0011

Spring Repair Sale

The Cyclone Roller Coaster: VB interviews Steve Williams of Rent A Tool about the original roller coaster cars that were restored by his uncle Mel.

BUY LOCAL: Support Fellow Chamber Members! Revere Chamber of Commerce 270 Broadway, Suite #10 Revere, MA 02151 (781) 289-8009

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Revere, MA 02151 Permit No. 51548