How Hot Is It?

by Jim Wright

The heat is incredible! I am sure you don't need me to tell you about it, but it's so hot...

• you ask your boss for extra work so you can be in the air conditioning as much as possible

• you've been getting hot flashes, and you're a man

• the swans in Des Peres park come in "original recipe" and "extra crispy"

• your pool water starts to boil in the sun

• the hot-dogs sold at Busch Stadium are actually hot

• you need a spatula to remove your clothing

• it makes you want to take off your skin and sit in your bones

• birds use potholders to pull worms out of the ground

• You're sitting inside reading these jokes!

Ok, so most of these one-liners aren't too funny, but you can't go anywhere without someone reminding you of what you already know..."it's hot!" Another thing you already know, the economy is affecting business and entrepreneurs must find ways to survive in the marketplace. Current debate on raising the debt ceiling will certainly affect our business climate in the near future. Decisions made by elected officials on the state, county and local level require input by business leaders and small business owners.

The Kirkwood - Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up to make sure the business voice is heard. Board Chairman David Collin, of Busy Bees Embroidery, has appointed a committee lead by Hardy Washington, State Farm Insurance, to monitor City Council agendas along with the agendas of planning and zoning and architectural review boards to look for issues or trends affecting the areas business climate. If necessary, Chamber members will be notified of important matters and asked to attend city meetings to represent the business community's views.

Free Legislative Brown Bag Lunches with State Senator Eric Schmitt, State Representative Rick Stream and County Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger will begin again on November 18 at the Chamber office. These meetings offer an excellent opportunity for Chamber members to make their voices heard.

April of 2012 presents occasion for the business voice to be heard in local elections. Candidates for City Council are gearing up now. Here is an opportunity for Chamber members to throw their hat into the ring to represent the business community as a public official. If you are interested in running, but are not sure on how to get started, call the Chamber office and we'll get you in touch with the right folks at City Hall.

There is not much we can do about the current weather outlook, but we can take a more active part in improving the business climate. Whether it's attending a meeting, speaking with elected officials, reading information provided by the Chamber or actually participating in the process, local business will prosper by being an active participant in shaping the future of commerce.