Warwick Chamber hosts annual membership dinner

Warwick - The Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce held its annual membership dinner at the Warwick Valley Country Club on Friday evening, Nov. 10. The guest speaker was Marc M. Goloven, recently retired senior regional economist at JP Morgan Chase. His entertaining and dynamic presentation received a warm round of applause when he painted an optimistic picture of the local real estate market for 2007. He argued that currently sellers are refusing to take a cut in their net worth by lowering the price of a home they’ve just listed for sale. At the same time, explained Goloven, potential buyers are trying to time the market. But with still low mortgage rates, a strong regional economy and population migration north from fully developed and higher priced areas; this pent up demand will be released in this area early next year. Goloven also predicted that Orange County will continue to be a pace setter because it has all the elements of “TEETH” The acronym, he explained, stands for technology, education, entertainment, tourism and health care. Later in the evening Robert Krahulik, the chamber president, and Executive Director Linda Glohs presented awards for “Outstanding Building Renovations” to Halligan’s Public House and Spring Street Market. Sean Corrigan, co-owner of Halligan’s Public House, and Stepan Kitar, owner of Spring Street Market, accepted their awards. Members of this year’s Dinner Committee were Pam Arace, Diane Massey and Dina Vaccaro. Sponsors were Provident Bank, Seely & Durland, Inc., Tri-County Planning Services and US Preferred Realty Group, Inc. General’s Garden donated the centerpieces. “Foley Road” provided musical entertainment. Immediately before the dinner and introduction of the guest speaker, Krahulik named this year’s nominees for a three-year term to the 2007 Board of Directors. The nominees were Joanne Graney, Doug Stage, Lucyann Tinnirello, Dina Vaccaro, Jason Grizzanti, Mark Kurtz, Jane Gyulavary, Cedric Glasper, Diane Massey and Mary Beth Schlichting. Those continuing respective terms were Pam Arace, Leah Cerkvenik, Rosemary Cooper, Barbara Crowe, Frank DeBerry, Garrett Durland, Robert Krahulik, Roger Metzger, Lisa Montanaro, Barbara Moore, Tom Nash, Amy Noteboom, Cheryl Rogowski and Lisa Ann Weisbrod.