Chamber directors holds first meeting of 2012

WARWICK — Members of the Board of Directors of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce assembled for their first meeting of the new year on Jan. 6 in the Greenbriar Room conference hall at Mount Alverno Center on the Warwick Campus of Bon Secours Charity Health System. It was an important meeting to update the organization’s vision, introduce new officers and new board members, propose events and identify central issues, according to the chamber’s executive director, Michael Johndrow. For example, the directors discussed the possibilities and the importance for the development of the now closed 772-acre Mid Orange Correctional Facility. High on the agenda was a new tourism initiative with the goal of converting Warwick into a popular four-season destination. Public meetings on this plan will begin in February. The members of the board also agreed to continue sponsoring major annual celebrations such as the fifth annual EXPO, scheduled for March 31, along with Applefest, a Taste of Warwick and Home for the Holidays. The chamber will also continue with its educational, networking and mixer events. Johndrow took this opportunity to introduce new members of the board of directors who were nominated at last year’s annual membership dinner as well as officers selected at the December meeting. The newly appointed Chamber Officers are Cedric Glasper, president; Sherry Bukovcan, vice president; Paul Rafanello, vice president; Mechelle Casciotta, secretary; and Mary McClurg, treasurer. Members also discussed plans for a chamber weekend cruise to nowhere. The cruise will depart from New York on Sept. 28 and return on Sept. 30.