Opportunity to Learn

“At this time, the table is open for discussion,” says Peter Dams, moderator at the January 19 Legislative Roll Call at the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce. This is the time when members of the Chamber of Commerce can talk directly to local leaders about the pressing issues they want heard. It’s also a great way to find out exactly what our local leaders are making their priorities.

Who are these local leaders? While it varies slightly from meeting to meeting, this particular meeting finds State Senator Tom George, State Representatives Larry DeShazor and Tonya Schuitmaker, Portage Mayor Peter Strazdas, Kalamazoo City Commssioner David Anderson, and Chamber President Steward Sandstrom in attendance.

The Public Policy Committee of the Chamber selects issues to begin the discussions and the legislators attending give their status report on those particular issues. After that, the discussion opens for questions, comments, or any federal, state, and local issues of interest.

There may be no better way to get your voice heard directly by legislators than at the Legislative Roll Call, held monthly at the Chamber of Commerce. The next Legislative Roll Call will be held on February 16 at 8 a.m.

Roll Call is one of those under-rated benefits of membership in the Chamber of Commerce. For more information about Chamber membership, visit the Chamber Web site.