Page 13 - Palm City Spotlight - October '22

Palm City Spotlight, Page 13

BuSinESS

OctOBER 2022 Palm city cOmmunity cEntER, 2701 S.W. cORnEll avE., Palm city
PhOnE: (772) 286-8121 Fax: (772) 286-3331
WWW.PalmcitychamBER.cOm

President’s message

A shout out to The The Children’s Museum has had a special place in at The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast. Guests
Children’s Museum of the my heart since my son, Anthony, was four years old. He had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for some great
Treasure Coast. wanted to be a fireman and at The Children’s Museum of prizes for a small donation.
We are very fortunate to the Treasure Coast, many moons ago, you could dress up as Thank you to everyone who came out to support me and
have many nonprofits in our a firefighter and get on the fire truck! I have the best photo all the wonderful people at The Children’s Museum of the
community. They all work and memory of that day! Treasure Coast. Remember that to our local nonprofits, no
very hard providing help to When I was asked to be a part of the ShipWrecked donation is ever too small to help. Reach out to your favorite
our those in need locally. Fundraiser for their new exhibits, I jumped at the chance to nonprofit and offer your time or your financial support. The
The best way to support participate. I chose to feature the Light Cubes Exhibit for return will be beneficial to you and others in our community.
these organizations is to Sensory Friendly Days. They look like they are so much fun
participate in their fundraising efforts. and would be a great addition to Sensory Days. christina l. Franco
I wanted to share with you one of my favorite nonprofits that Contestants dressed up as castaways and were held President, Palm City Chamber
I recently had the privilege of supporting and assisting with “captive on the island” until we raised enough money to get of Commerce
fundraising, The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast. rescued. The community was invited to attend a themed party Hampton by Hilton
Executive Director’s corner

The Palm City Chamber paycheck to paycheck and have a health emergency or car
of Commerce has heard from trouble, that could mean the difference between keeping your
many of our business owners home or losing it. As homeowners’ insurance rates increase and
struggling to recruit and retain home prices rise, many landlords are finding that they must raise
talent in their industries. rent to cover their expenses. We have out-of-state corporations
We are working with key coming into Martin County and buying up all the real estate
community leaders to be they can and then charging huge amounts to our local residents.
a part of crafting effective There is not a quick fix to this issue. We must all work together
change. While most in our to create new opportunities for homes for our workforce, seniors,
community and our nation and families.
recognize there is a housing problem, few understand We are very grateful to the members of our 3 panels, one
the short- and long-term effects it is having on our local from nonprofits, one from businesses, and one from the HSC
workforce. Some still do not realize how deep the issue runs. for participating. We truly appreciate Martin County District 5 Kim Johnson with the Salvation Army, David Bradford with
On September 7, the Palm City Chamber of Commerce held Commissioner Ed Ciampi for his support and presentation. HSC Edward Jones, and Madeleine Bozone Greenwood with
a symposium to cover how the housing crisis is affecting our has shared with the Palm City Chamber of Commerce and our Family Promise
local businesses and began to delve into what got us here. We guests, that they will be putting on another Affordable Housing
asked the Housing Solutions Council of Martin County (HSC) Summit to continue the conversation in November 2022 to share
to sponsor a panel in the discussion with local experts to discuss real solutions to bring about positive change.
barriers to affordable housing for our workforce and touch on I would recommend that Martin County residents attend
some solutions in the works. meetings, like the Housing Solutions Council’s upcoming
Sadly, this crisis is affecting many members of our local summit in November, and engage in the conversation to develop
community. Homelessness is REAL for people and families solutions. Martin County is an amazing place to live and work.
of all ages. Families, seniors, and young professionals are one We ALL need to come together and work on a solution to keep
financial crisis away from losing their homes. If you are living it that way! There are options to explore but it will mean change,

2022 Palm city chamber of commerce Missi Campbell, Executive Director with the Palm City

Chamber, Martin County District 5 Commissioner Ed
Board of Directors Ciampi, and Nikki Leserra with Sky is the Limit

President Christina Franco Hampton Inn and Suites
President Elect Don Pipes Atlantic Aviation
Vice-President Anne-Marie Persaud iThink Financial
Treasurer David Bradford Edward Jones
Past President Tyson Waters Fox McCluskey Bush & Robison
Director Keith (Fletch) Fletcher Boys & Girls Club of Martin County
Director Gigi Suntum Caring Children Clothing Children
Director Cheree Ramirez Children’s Services Council of MC
Director Peter Sicoli Sailfish Insurance Joe Flanagan with the Martin County Affordable Housing
Committee, Dr. John Millay, Superintendent of Martin
Director Robin Hall Out2News County Schools, and Mark Sechrist, Martin County Schools
Director Tara Biek-Robison Tara Biek Creative
Director Shaun Plymale Treasure Coast Legal and no one likes change. However, if we don’t change, Martin
County will not be able to stay sustainable. There needs to be
Director Meghan Shirey Ocean Republic Brewing equity between a working wage and housing. Let’s step up
Director Rob McLaughlin Access 365 Urgent Care together and be the change that Martin County needs!
Director Patrick Gleason State Insurance Photos courtesy of www.Out2News.com
Ex-Officio Toby Overdorf State Representative
Ex-Officio Ed Ciampi Martin County Commission missi campbell
Executive Director
Ex-Officio Michael DiTerlizzi Martin County School Board Palm City Chamber of Commerce