Table of Contents
Cover Story:
Only Time Will Tell
A look ahead at what 2007 will mean for Rockland
Feature Story:
How Will He Do That?
Hector May has big plans for the RBA
DEPARTMENTS:
Economics Roundup
• The Smart Investor
Try a financial diet in 2007
• Economic
Viewpoint
Coming to America or conundrum continued
Business Roundup
• Office Efficiency
Streamlining office operations through lean processes
• Marketing By Design
Branding your image - it's not just for the "big" guys
Ask The Experts
• Business Start-ups
Getting your basics together
• Is It Tax Season Yet?
Your tax questions answered
Retail Round-Up
• Feast or Famine
Taking the pulse of the local restaurant biz
• In The News
Invest in Your Community
• Heart of a Lyon
Former Jet delivers an inspirational message
• Family Shelter Honors
First-ever program recognizes community contributions
Odds & Ends
• From The Publishers
• PR Patter
Dedicated Section:
Rockland Business Association:
The President’s Desk
All in all, it was a very good year
Handing Over The Torch
Annual membership luncheon introduces new RBA board
RBA Happenings
• Committee and Council Info
• Calendar of Events
• New Members
From
The
President’s Desk
All in All, It Was a Very Good Year
Year-end wrap-ups and New Year projection columns always offer the writer a great opportunity for pontification. But, since Steve Powell is standing over me with a scowl on his face and an index finger pointing to the clock on the wall (all because I'm very late getting this to him in time for this issue) I'm just going to bullet point some accomplishments and problems for your consideration.
• We launched two new subsidiary groups—The Hospitality & Tourism Alliance and the Building Enrichment Network.
• We partnered with the County's Department of Tourism in providing for Rockland's participation in five tourism industry trade shows and we made it possible for Rockland to host a familiarization tour for 14 tour operators. All of this was possible because of the committed involvement of the members of the Hospitality & Tourism Alliance.
• In January, we were successful in our efforts to have the Rockland County Legislature uphold the County Executive's veto of the onerous and ill-conceived Living Wage Ordinance.
• We created a Political Action Committee to support candidates who support business.
• We hosted forums for elected officials and business leaders from Rockland, Westchester and Orange Counties on the progress of the State agencies' efforts relative to the Tappan Zee Bridge and I 287 Corridor.
• We continued to have a strong voice in Albany on such critical issues as health care; workers' compensation; energy costs; New York State’s taxes on business; liability insurance; economic development, and consolidation of government services.
• We expanded our EXPO to include our neighbors from the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce and have extended invitations to others for an even greater event in 2007.
We did a lot more, but the scowl is getting deeper and the finger pointing is getting more intense. So, let me move quickly to the problems and sum them up with just one bullet.
• Every problem we faced in 2006 is either still with us or will return. And, as we reach resolution to some of our issues, they will be replaced by others. That's the nature of the "beast." And, it is the single most important reason to belong to the RBA —we're the only one out there always looking out for you.
Sure, we have great networking events and we have the best marketing opportunities in the county. But, the one thing we do better than anyone else is fight for you. That's right, "fight for you." We fight for the best possible environment in which you can conduct your business. We fight for access to a workforce that will allow you to grow your business. And affordable housing so your workforce can live here. We fight for the technology, transportation and natural resources infrastructure that we need for a prosperous community. And, we thank you for the privilege of letting us do that for you, your businesses and a better Rockland.
Happy New Year!
Al Samuels
President/CEO
Rockland Business Association
