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MARY-ELLEN SAUNDERS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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Speak Up

ROTHESAY - The Kennebecasis Valley Chamber of Commerce's board of directors has more female councillors than ever before.

Enlarge Photo

Matthew Sherwood/Telegraph-Journal

Phil Brodersen has been re-elected president of the KV Chamber of Commerce,.

The chamber elected seven men and six women to the board of directors Wednesday night during its annual general meeting at Rothesay Town Hall. Members of the board are called councillors.

"This is the first time in chamber history that this many women have ever sat on our board of directors," said Tobbi Lynn Debly, executive director of the chamber.

"I think it's important because women entrepreneurs are a sector that is growing both here in the valley and across Canada. We have women on this board that own niche businesses, women who head major financial institutions and they all have something to say and this will give them a chance to voice their concerns.

"I think it's wonderful."

The board's executive consists of re-elected president Phil Brodersen; Rick Demone, who was promoted from councillor to vice-president, and secretary-treasurer Scott Cochrane.

The re-elected councillors are Ian MacFarquhar of MCE & Associates, Gerry Maher of RBC Dominion Securities, Cindy MacFarland of Home Loans Canada, Kim Isnor of BMO Financial Group, Angela Fiander of Bell Aliant and Gay Drescher, who is with the Town of Rothesay.

The newly elected councillors are Jennifer Higgins of Higgins Insurance, Donna Williamson of Merle Norman/Brands Beyond, Steve Dawes of Scotiabank and Camille Bordage, who is with Grape d'Vine.The chamber's three officers (president, vice-president and secretary- treasurer) serve two-year terms and its 10 councillors serve one-year terms.

"We've got a great team in place," Brodersen said.

"It's exciting. We've got retail on board, we have finance on board and we have small business on board. There is going to be a lot more enthusiasm and a lot more ideas. It's going to be a good year."

Brodersen said during his opening remarks at the meeting that as the valley has grown, the chamber has followed and currently boasts more than 180 business members. He expects that growth in numbers and also in community presence and functions will continue over the next year. The four new councillors say they each have strengths to bring to the business community.

Bordage said he hopes as a councillor he can help huddle the membership and get it more involved.

Higgins said her father was one of the founding members of the chamber and when she was elected councillor Wednesday night, she was following in his footsteps. "He thought it was a great idea," Higgins said. "It is an opportunity for me to get more involved in the community."

Williamson said she hopes to help businesses in the area work toward a common goal. "I think when women set out to accomplish something, they usually do," Williamson said.

Dawes said he was on the board several years ago and felt it was time to rejoin and do his share.

The board heard from Quispamsis Deputy Mayor Emile Olsen, who provided an update on the construction of the Q-Plex. Olsen said construction is on schedule and the recreation facility is set to open this fall.

He also thanked the chamber for its $10,000 donation.

Bill Artiss handed out Rothesay's 150th anniversary pins to all of the chamber members and spoke of the celebrations planned for the summer, which include two re-enactments and a garden tour. Artiss is head of the anniversary organizing committee.