Chamber Honours 112 Years Of Service

Past Presidents and Past Managers of the North Bay Board of Trade - North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce, gathered at the Chamber office along with the current board for 2006 for a special event Friday.

In recognition of their dedication and commitment to the prosperity to North Bay the Past Presidents and Managers plaque was unveiled.

Dave Mendicino, who chairs the Past Presidents Council, an advisory committee to the Chamber that was formed in 2003, developed the plaque concept to honour the 74 plus Presidents over the past 112 years. Mendicino noted that the group who they had turned to for advice from time to time on various issues had not been formally recognised.

The ceremony for 1959 Past President Herb Brown, was a wonderful occasion to friends he hasn’t seen for a long time.

“We've been very fortunate over the years, having a remarkable number of good people come out for the Chamber and work as directors, and then as executives, as vice presidents and presidents. The calibre of the people has just been excellent and we think they've improved our city and continue to do so. And they keep an eye on the city council and other government people in the city and they make sure that that they are doing a good job for the city and all its citizens.”

Brown also says the Chamber is ever changing but needs to stay the course and continue to be the voice of business.

“Things don't stand still and yet have to move ahead, and I think the Chamber is taking care of the new responsibilities, the changes that have happened in our city. And there have been some remarkable changes here we’re becoming a big education centre and we will shortly be a big health centre, hopefully all these things, the Chamber has had a part in and will continue to do so.”