Incase some of you don't know, the Greater Blackfoot Area Chamber of Commerce is a member of the Idaho Chamber Alliance, ICA. As a member of this organization, we have a chance to speak for our members regarding Legislative issues through the ICA lobbyist. the ICA also has a website which is www.idahochamberalliance.com . Each member of the chamber has the opportunity to seek out this website and watch for daily updates regarding the issues the ICA has chosen to stand behind for the 2009 session. We believe that this is a great tool that can be used to watch what is happening in Boise as well as have the opportunity to contact our loacal elected official regarding matters that may be of special interest to you. I will have the opportunity to sit down face-to-face with our loacal elected offical next week during Chamber DAy at teh Legislature. This is an annual event put on by the ICA organization and it's Board of Directors. This is a great experience for me and I always learn a lot about the Legislative process. Another important way for you to speak with your elected officials is by attending the weekly morning meetings that the chamber facilitates for the community. Each Thursday at 7am you will finda group of concerned citizens at Stan's Restaurant. A conference call is amde each Thursday morning with Boise and many issues are discussed depending on who is ther that day. Education, taxes, road projects and the transportation are all issues that we expect to be discussed this session. These morning meeting will continue throughout the 2009 session and everyone is welcome to attend. As a member of the Blackfoot community, I have seen how a few people voicing their concern or opinion can make a difference. If we sit back and wait for someone else to do the work, the work won't get done. Whether it's attending a morning meeting, writing a letter to an elected official, showing up for a City Council meeting or volunteering for a good cause, we are all trying to make a difference. I know a lot of you reading this do all or soem of the things I have listed. I encourage you to keep it up and to pass on the importance of being involved in your community to your children. The future of Blackfoot is in the hands of those of us who care. |