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The Chamber Perspectives
Headline News
Fall 2000
The Chamber's Web Site Designed To Be The Only Site You Need
The Chamber To Establish Civic Hall of Fame
Entrepreneurs of the Year Honored
The Chamber is Your Source for Referrals
What Are The Keys To Success As Entrepreneur In Today's Changing Marketplace?
Members In The News
Partnerships: Keeping Children At The Center
Constitution Reform Foundation Raises Banner
Crime Stoppers Making A Difference... Needs Your Support
Teachers In Business 2000
Developing Strategies & Technologies For Your Dotcom. Scheduled
The Seven Essentials of Internet Marketing
Alabama Commerce Commission Addresses Future Opportunities
Chamber Briefs
Ten Timebuster Tips
Top Business Trends May Impact Your Firm
Leadership Tuscaloosa Begins Its 18th year
View Point
Most of us who use the Internet, do so for one reason or another......email, research and
information, recreation, promotion of our business, products, and links to other sources.
We are being told that the Internet is the way publishing, promotion, marketing and even shoppingis being carried out today and that it will even grow more important in the future.
The Chamber's Web site has been designed to be a valuable source of information and link for you for all of these stated reasons. With monthly hits now ranging over 50,000, many businesses, residents, prospects and newcomers have already found our site to be a valuable asset to their everyday information. At The Chamber, we use the net for internal and external communications as well as a growing means of dissemination of economic and demographic information, marketplace research and trends.
Sections within The Chamber's website......www.tuscaloosachamber.com...... include:
Quick Reference Navigation Bar - To make navigating our site fast and user friendly, a quick reference navigation bar is available on all subsequent pages. This enables the user to go directly to sites of interest without leaving the convenience of The Chamber's page. The frame includes a powerful internet search engine, a detailed news search engine and links to major Chamber pages.
Area Demographics - This newly developed area gives detailed information on the West Alabama region. Find detailed demographic and statistical information on each county in our region by using the county search bar. Information you can find on this area includes: cities, towns, population trends, economic structure, interstate access, and many other options.
Membership Directory - The online membership directory contains a host of search options. Visitors and members can search for a listing by category similar to the yellow page searches or by name. The name search has special features that are not normally found in membership directories.
You can search for any word listed in the category, name, address, telephone number, etc. For example, if you were on Skyland Blvd. this past weekend and remembered seeing an automobile dealership, but couldn't remember the name you could type in: Skyland Automobile; tell the search engine to search for all words listed; and it would list all Chamber-member dealerships located on Skyland Blvd.
This is a valuable benefit for "Chamber Members Only" and is provided as part of your annual Chamber investment. Only Chamber member-firms are listed in the directory.
Chamber and Community Calendar of Events - If you live in the West Alabama area, this page is a must, with the largest listing of upcoming events and meetings in our area. You can also check out the local weather and the upcoming business events at the touch of a button.
Business Links - A newly updated area designed to give surfers a variety of local area, governmental, research and business development links. This area has been modified to give you a topical search and a brief description of what the link offers. If your looking for information, this is the place to get it.
Chamber Perspectives On-line - This area has major articles and news briefs from our new magazine Perspectives. This area is a text only format, which allows you to choose the article from a headline listing and quickly scan and read the article.
Internet and News Search Engines - Each area of The Chamber's site has access to internet and news search engines. No need to jump forward and backward from site to site looking for information. You can do it from our site by simply typing in your topic of news interest into the appropriate search box and our site do the rest. The Chamber's site has been designed to be the "only link you need".
Visitors Information - This area of our site includes information on the West Alabama Area, lodging information, area events, and points of interest.
Relocation Information - This is a detailed section, which offers valuable information to business and individuals considering moving to our community. The area contains information on utilities, licenses information, education, healthcare, history and statistics, business climate, and information resources. Everything a newcomer might need!
Local Weather - We have added local weather to our site for our members and visitors convenience. Our weather page contains the current temperature and weather conditions, a five day forecast, Doppler radar, and satellite feeds from our region.
T-town Treasures - If you've ever wanted something that symbolizes our community's spirit, this is it! The T-town Treasures page displays our new line of T-town promotional products. These items make great business promotion gifts for any businesses marketing department. Take a look at the available merchandise and give us a call to place your order.
On-line Training Modules - In conjunction with The Business Solutions and Resource Center located here at The Chamber and students from the doctrinal program at The University of Alabama, we have developed on-line training tools for members only.
These modules include: Creating an Effective Business Plan, Taking Your Business On-Line, E-Commerce and Your Business, and Technology and Business Productivity. Each module is made available in a text format and an on-line Powerpoint presentation. To take advantage of any of the on-line training tools, contact Donny Jones at 391-0552.
Members Only Area. While on line less than a year, The Chamber has expanded our site to include a "Members Only" section. This area of our site has a wealth of information. Up-to-the-minute news with feeds from five national syndications; on-line stock market information; internet and search engines; contact information and links to elected officials; business page links; on-line training modules; eHow instructional searches; Chamber headline news; and a "members only" navigation bar, which allows
Chamber members access to all areas of our website without leaving the "members only" area.
The Chamber's site is indeed designed to be the "only web site you need", and it's all part of your
investment in The Chamber. It's a "one stop" web site for you!
The only thing you need to do to access the "Members Only" area is click the Members Area icon on the
main page or through any of the helpful navigation bars on our site. Type in this quarter's username, member. This quarter's password is success101. If you have questions or need assistance, contact Donny Jones at 391-0552.
The Chamber's web site can be accessed through several domain addresses, all designed to make it easy to connect with a multitude of search avenues. Among the addresses available for use
and connection are: www.tuscaloosachamber.com ......... www.northportchamber.com .......and
www.linktuscaloosa.com.
Other areas available at The Chamber's site include:
Adopt-A-School Our Values
Staff Contact Information The Arts
Available Resources Economy
Frequently Asked Questions Education
Constitution Reform Site Healthcare
Join The Chamber Public Sector
Map To Us Recreation
Chamber's Business Plan Transportation
Chamber's Vision Market Place
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The Chamber to Establish Civic Hall of Fame
Wanting to cap off its "Centennial Year" with an exciting and meaningful event that will pay lasting tribute to citizens who have made long-term, significant contributions to Tuscaloosa County, The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama has announced plans to establish the Civic Hall of Fame of Tuscaloosa County.
"Each year, The Chamber honors our volunteers and other organizations select citizens to honor for their service and leadership," stated Chamber Chariman, Jimmy Warren. "However, there is no permanent hall of fame that honors citizens for their contributions to the community over a long period of time."
"That's what we want the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame to be… a permanent, lasting tribute to citizens who have invested their time, energy and resources to build a great community," emphasized Warren.
Coordinating the planning and development of the new Civic Hall of Fame is a hard-working task force led by past Chamber Chairman, Dick Johnson of Bell South. Serving with him are: Jerry Belk; Lyda Black; Angela Fulmer; Bob Hagler; Judy Miller; Hattie Nash; Mary Ann Phelps; Farley Poelnitz; Jarrel Reed; Tommy Todd; Nancy Williams; Tommy Hester and Cordell Wynn. Charles Land, former publisher of The Tuscaloosa News serves as Chairman of The Chamber's Centennial Planning Committee.
"We have made good progress with our planning," said Dick Johnson. "Our nomination forms, criteria, and selection process have been adopted, which will provide for nominations from any organization or individual in Tuscaloosa County. We are encouraging active and broad participation in the nominating process from throughout the community."
Nomination forms and the criteria are currently available at The Chamber office. The nomination process will end on September 29th. "We have developed a simple process for organizations and individuals to use to nominate candidates for induction into the Hall of Fame," said Johnson. "We are trying to distribute the nomination form on a broad basis and make it as available a possible, and we encourage citizens throughout the community to nominate candidates for the first class of honorees."
The first induction ceremony for the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame will be held at the Bryant Conference Center on Thursday night, November 30th. Complete details will be announced at a later date. The Chamber has not selected a location for the Hall of Fame. "Planning is underway to develop a location that will be easily accessible to as many people as possible," according to Johnson.
"We are very excited about the Civic Hall of Fame and the lasting impact it will have as we honor civic servants of the past and present," Warren stated. "This is a fitting way for The Chamber to conclude our Centennial Year as well as provide the community a permanent tribute for community service."
Chamber President Johnnie Aycock stated, "during our organization's 100th year of service, the Civic Hall of Fame is a very appropriate gift to the community. It is our hope that this new endeavor will enhance a sense of community, contribute to an appreciation of our history; and through the Civic Hall of Fame honorees, provide role models of servant-leaders and civic responsibility."
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With a standing-room only crowd in attendance, The Chamber honored 14 outstanding business leaders during the annual Entrepreneurs of the Year awards program on May 3rd. Formerly known as the
Small Business Persons of the Year, this was the 12th annual event that is designed to spotlight the
achievements and contributions of area businesses and entrepreneurs.
Susan Compton of Compass Bank, who served as Chair of the Entrepreneurs Awards Task Force, emphasized that "every nominee was a winner and reflected the outstanding quality, talent and
entrepreneurial spirit of our area's business community. Our honorees were exceptional and displayed
high standards of excellence. They certainly affirmed our change in the name of the awards program
to entrepreneurs of the year."
Awards were presented in five categories: Entrepreneur of the Year; Advocate of the Year; Innovator of the Year; the Rising Star, a new award designed to recognize new, young firms; and the Lifetime
Achievement Award, presented to recognize long-term business leadership and service.
The Entrepreneurs of the Year for 2000 were: Robert Amason, Jr. of Amason & Associates; Sonny and Terry Bunn of S. T. Bunn Construction Company; Tony Smelley of NorthStar EMS; Bobby
Park of Bobby Park Truck & Equipment, Inc.; and Mike McLeod of McLeod Truck Parts and M & S
Cartage.
The Rising Star awards were presented to: Bob Crutchfield and Surgical Innovations & Services Company; Reverend George Jackson and Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home; Gregg Davis and DePalma's Italian Café; Eric Estes and Phoenix Therapy Associates; and Arman DeLorenz and Arman's of Tuscaloosa.
The 2000 Innovator of the Year went to Jerry Tingle of Tingle X-Ray Products, Inc.; and the 2000 Business Advocate of the Year was presented to Jim Flemming of The Bank of Tuscaloosa.
Two long-time bankers and community leaders were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards
from The Chamber. Tommy Hester, Chairman and CEO of the National Bank of Commerce; and Sam
Faucett, retired CEO of Regions Bank were both cited for their many contributions to economic and business development and their leadership in enhancing the quality of the Tuscaloosa County/West Alabama region.
"We had wonderful participation in this year's expanded program", stated Compton. "The nominations represented a cross-section of area firms and our recipients reflected the quality of our overall
business community and entrepreneurial environment."
The Entrepreneur of the Year Task Force included: Susan Compton, Compass Bank; Mary Nell
Hallman, Bank of Tuscaloosa; Sandy Hartley, National Bank of Commerce; Eric Heslop, SouthTrust Bank; Chris Kyle, Jr., Kyle Office Supply; James Lewis, Regions Bank; Kevin McMahon, AmSouth Bank; Jim Meherg, Century 21 Real Estate Services; Kenric Minges, Small Business Development Center; Mark Mooney, Compass Bank; Ronnie Quarles, Channel 7; and Bill Tate, Tate, Lee & Lee, P.C.
Chamber President Johnnie Aycock acknowledged the importance of the volunteer-led awards
program. "Our volunteer committee worked very hard and provided innovative leadership to make the
program a success. Their efforts are reflected in the award winners, all of which display a high level of
business expertise, involvement in the community, and a commitment to service."
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The Chamber Is Your Source For Referrals
One of the value-added benefits of Chamber membership are the hundreds of referrals made every month. The Chamber's staff answers inquiries daily from the community as well as from visitors
about doing business in Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama. Here are a few key points to remember.
- Only Chamber members are referred.
- Approximately 21,000 referrals were made between January 1, 2000 and June 30, 2000.
- Referrals are made in response to contacts from area residents, visitors, and people who
are relocating to Tuscaloosa County.
- Referrals are made in response to walk-in visitors to The Chamber office, telephone requests,
FAX and mail requests, and through The Chamber's web site: www.tuscaloosachamber.com
- The Chamber offices receives a wide variety of requests for services and business information.
- All Chamber members in a category are referred. The staff does not show favoritism to any one
specific member.
- People call your local chamber for referrals because the public views Chamber members with high
regard. When an individual does not know a business or company personally, they depend on The
Chamber to provide referrals that are reputable. Chamber-member firms are often the leading
businesses in the area.
For more information about The Chamber's referral system, contact us at 758-7588.
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What are the keys to success as entrepreneur in today's changing marketplace?
Some of The Chamber's Entrepreneur of the Year recipients shared with us their keys to success in today's marketplace. The following are their thoughts and advice.
Robert Crutchfield, Surgical Innovations:
There are three keys to SIS's success in today's healthcare market place. Adaptation to changing market conditions, an acute sense of the reality that customer relationships are built on sustained levels of quality service and by attracting the best
people available to execute our business plan.
Jerry Tingle, Tingle X-Ray:
Today's global entrepreneurs must be highly skilled, possess sound ethics, use modern information systems to time manage all activities and be willing to share market power with leaders of complimentary organizations. This type activity requires entrepreneurs to spend time developing leaders and experts at every level of the enterprise.
Arman Delorenz, Arman's:
To keep your ideas and ideals on the course that you have started out with. But to make the course corrections to stay competitive without losing sight of the ultimate goal.
Bobby Park, Bobby Park Truck & Equipment:
Having a successful business today means being in touch with your customers ever changing needs. Buying our product at a better price them the competition means savings to our customers and keeps them coming back.
Mike McLeod, McLeod Truck Parts:
The foremost key is to get the goods or services the customer wants, when they want them, in the most cost effective way.
Robert Amason, Jr., Amason & Associates:
Many of the keys to success have not change with time, such as honesty, integrity and hard work. However, with the advent of technology and the availability of recourses from a global marketplace, we must work harder to differentiate our business from our competitors.
Gregg Davis, DePalma's Italian Café:
For the small businessman today, the critical points to being successful are providing the best possible customer service, creating a desirable workplace for your staff, and efficiently managing
inventories, payroll, maintenance, research and development, governmental regulations, insurance,
tax flows (from the over 15 different taxes we collect or pay), in addition to keeping a tight rein on
everyday expenses. Your organization must be lean, competent, well-trained and ready to adjust to
sudden changes in the market.
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MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Easter Seals West Alabama Dedicates Caring Community Gardens
Community volunteers and local churches donated their time and money to build this beautiful pavilion. It will provide outdoor opportunities for clients of Caring congregations Adult Care and Easter Seals West Alabama.
Loie Sears Robinson, Administrator of Easter Seals West Alabama, recently presented Linda Creek with the first Administrator's Award. This award will be given occasionally to employees who go the extra mile in helping children and adults with disabilities to live with equality, dignity and independence.
Congratulations to First Federal Bank, River Gas Corporation, and Tuscaloosa Ear, Nose and
Throat Center on the opening of their beautiful new office complex at 1300 McFarland Boulevard N.
Mayor Al DuPont along with Chamber Ambassadors joined the three firms for the ribbon cutting
celebration.
The Hawthorn Suites are now opened for business and want to invite everyone to come visit. Located
on Will Walker Road in Vance, across from the Mercedes-Benz plant and visitors center, Christian
Awogbade is the General Manager. The owners are Mina and Amit Chudgar. For more information, give them a call at 556-3606.
Bo Fields, The Fields Agency, received the Million Dollar Round Table Award for the 17th year, and the National Quality Award for the 29th year.
Janie Burton, employed by The Arc of Tuscaloosa County as a life skills coach, has been selected from others throughout the country for recognition as one of three Irwin Siegel Agency Direct Support Staff Recognition Award. Ms. Burton has worked for The Arc of Tuscaloosa County since December 1995 as a life skills coach at McGraw Center.
Karen N. Dice and Steven P. Gregory, P.C., have announced the formation of the law firm
of Dice & Gregory, L.L.C., for the general practice of law. The firm's practice includes the areas of alternative dispute resolution (mediation and arbitration), antitrust, aviation law and litigation, bankruptcy, class actions, domestic relations, employment law and litigation, bankruptcy, class actions, domestic relations, employment law, juvenile matters, and securities arbitration and litigation. The firm also conducts a general corporate and business practice.
Pace Learning Systems is pleased to announce that Thorun Zitner-Crawford has joined the company as an educational sales consultant. She will present the company's instructional materials to education officials throughout the US. Thorun brings to this position twelve years of experience as a high school English teacher in Florida.
FairPoint Communications, Inc. is a rapidly growing, facilities-based integrated communications provider offering an array of voice, Internet and data communications services nationwide. The nation's 15th largest independent telephone company according to the United States Telecom Association. Visit FairPoint Web site www.fairpoint.com.
The brand new Red Cross website is creating a lot of positive feedback for the Chapter. " Our mission is to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, " says Director of Development Buddy Hanson. " One of the features of the website is designed to enable us to quickly get information out to Tuscaloosa and our entire service area. The site also lists a community calendar of events. Visit www.redcross.org/al/tuscaloosa
Scott Hudson, owner of Cafe Venice,(formerly Old Venice Pizza Company), welcomes new chef Bryan Hart to the team. Since joining Cafe Venice several new items have received rave reviews showcasing Bryan's talents, including the daily fish and steak selections. Many more new menu items will be introduced in the upcoming months.
Shannon Haney, 1977 graduate of Central High School, has been promoted to assitant manager at Krackeroos' Tuscaloosa store. She has been employed by Krackeroos for three years and is studying business management as Shelton State Community College.
Jim Adams has joined Krackeroos as a retail consultant adn business manager. A graduate of the University of Alabama, he recently retired from Parisian as executive vice president of stores.
If you have news you want to share with other Chamber members, please provide your information and
photos to: Beakie Powell, The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, P. O. Box 20410, Tuscaloosa,
AL 35402 or phone 391-0555.
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Partnerships: Keeping Children At The Center
With a theme of "Partnerships: Keeping Children at the Center", Adopt-A-School celebrated its 15th anniversary in partnership with the Tuscaloosa City and County schools at the annual kickoff breakfast event on August 9th. With over 350 business and educational leaders in attendance, the annual program adn workshop was held at the Tuscaloosa Middle School.
Linda W. Olivet, DSN, RN, retired professor from The University of Alabama's Capstone College of Nursing, inspired the audience, with her remarks drawn from her experiences in a variety of areas of nursing, ranging from pediatrics to hospice care. Additionally,her roles in her personal life,including wife, mother, teacher, counselor and seminar leader. Her remarks about juggling a busy schedule while wearing many different hats, the importance of volunteer time that Adopt-A-School partners invest in area children.
Another highlight of the morning included recognition of two Adopt-A-School partnerships that are
celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. The "Decade of Excellence" award was presented to the Rotary Club
of Tuscaloosa and Northside High School, and to the VA Medical Center and Arcadia Elementary School. This brings the total to 32 Adopt-A-School partnersthat have achieved this honor for ten years of participation in the program.
Five concurrent workshops were held during the remainder of the morning , allowing participants to network with other partnerships and gain new ideas that will increase the effectiveness and success
of their own Adopt-A-School partnerships. Among the topics addressed were "Character
First", a best practices workshop,leadership development, and coordinator training.
"This annual event generates a contagious enthusiasm among Adopt-A-School partners as they
prepare to embark on another year of building relationships to strengthen public education and enrich the
lives of our children," said Deloris McMullen, Adopt-A-School Director for The Chamber of Commerce of
West Alabama.
Adopt-A-School, founded in 1985 and is a partnership between The Chamber, the Tuscaloosa City Schools and the Tuscaloosa County Schools. For more information and to learn how you can become a
partner, call Deloris McMullen at 391-0563 or email deloris@tuscaloosachamber.com.
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Constitution Reform Foundation Raises Banner
A new public advocacy group, Alabama Citizens For Constitutional Reform, has officially raised its banner during an organizational meeting in Birmingham on June 12th. The group intends to inform Alabamians about their antiquated 1901 state Constitution and inspire them to create a modern charter for the 21st century.
ACCR grew out of a public rally in Tuscaloosa on April 7th, which called for a new constitution.
The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama organized the event, which drew more than 600 citizens
from throughout Alabama to Capitol Park, site of Alabama's state capitol from 1826 to 1846. To sustain a constitutional reform movement, The Chamber also provided the concept and framework for the development and establishment of this new advocacy organization.
The Chamber undertook this role as part of its 100th anniversary celebration. "Our leadership
wanted to identify something significant that we could do to make a real change in Tuscaloosa, West
Alabama and across the state," said Johnnie Aycock, President of The Chamber. "Our organization
has long advocated constitutional reform, home rule and better government with the belief that if you
truly want government closer to the citizens, then a new constitution is essential."
Thirteen prominent Alabamians formed the board of directors that will guide the citizens group.
Meeting at Samford University, June 11 and 12, they elected Dr. Thomas Corts as the first Chairman.
He is President of Samford University and an outspoken champion for constitutional reform in Alabama.
Other officers elected were former Congressman Jack Edwards of Point Clear, who will serve as
Vice Chairman; Odessa Woolfolk, a noted Birmingham educator and civil rights leader, Secretary; and
Sid McAnnally, an attorney and Chairman of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer.
The initial Board members include: former Governor Albert Brewer of Birmingham; Mason Davis, an attorney and current Chairman of the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce; Culpepper Clark, Dean of the College of Communications & Information Sciences at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa; Barbara Larson, Executive Director of Leadership Alabama; Wayne Flynt, Professor of History at Auburn University; H. Brandt Ayers, Publisher of The Anniston Star; Sam Jones, President of the Mobile County Commission; Cordell Wynn, retired President of Stillman College; and Johnnie Aycock, President of The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.
ACCR's board eventually will grow to as many as 28 members from around the state. The organization also intends to recruit a broad membership of Alabama's citizens who want constitution
reform.
Reformers have long pointed to the deficiencies of the 1901 Constitution. "For example, it does
not allow local counties to govern themselves at a time when many fast-growing urban areas are sprawl-
ing into the countryside, creating traffic congestion, pollution, disjointed planning, and other issues",
according to Dr. Bailey Thomson at The University of Alabama and one of the organizers of ACCR.
"Local officials must ask their legislative delegations for authority to address even the most mundane
matters, because counties often lack the power to pass needed ordinances."
This restriction on local government has led to some bizarre amendments.
Amendment 482, for example, authorizes Limestone County's Commission to dispose of dead
mules. Madison County got permission, under amendment 520, to charge for excavating human graves.
And amendment 497 prohibits the overgrowth of weeds in Jefferson County.
"People sometimes say they are reluctant to change the Constitution", Corts said. "With 665 amendments, and 47 more to be on the ballots this fall, the Constitution already is being changed in the
poorest way possible."
"In addition to informing citizens about the nature of our state Constitution, ACCR will advocate
that Alabamians adopt a new document preferably one written by a popularly elected convention," emphasized Corts. "Our purpose, however, is to bring about revision of our constitution, rather than champion any particular reform.
Corts continued, "the Legislature dealt with the call for a lottery by agreeing to let the people decide. Now at the dawn of a new millennium, why shouldn't the Legislature allow the people to decide about a new Constitution? If in a statewide referendum, the citizens could vote on whether to have a constitutional convention, I believe the people would approve it. We do not have a lot to lose. When you're 50th out of 50 in governmental performance, your rating cannot slip."
The new organization's board will spend the next few months preparing to launch its activities. It
will begin to assemble a small staff. Until then, Bailey Thomson is serving as a volunteer communications director. Thomson is an associate professor of journalism at the University of Alabama.
In addition, Stephen Wyatt of Tanner & Guin is currently serving as the organization's legal counsel.
ACCR's web site is www.constitutionalreform.org. Funds to establish the site came from a gift by
Leadership Birmingham. For more information, contact Bailey Thomson at (205) 348-8617.
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Crime Stoppers Making A Difference……..Needs Your Support
In 1987, a group of Chamber and business leaders met to explore the possibility of establishing a Crime Stoppers program in Tuscaloosa County. Their vision was to expand a very successful T.I.P. (Turn
In a Pusher) program that offered rewards for information on drug cases into Crime Stoppers which would
offer rewards for other types of criminal activity.
Following an aggressive effort, Tuscaloosa County Crime Stoppers was established by the Spring
of 1988. The new program received the full support of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, Northport Police Department, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Department, and the District Attorney's office. The
Tuscaloosa Police Department agreed to provide the Law Enforcement Coordinator to manage the day to
day operations of the program with the other entities providing necessary support.
A civilian board of directors was established and incorporated into a 501 c 3 non-profit corpora-
tion. The necessary reward fund was raised to create a viable Crime Stoppers program. The Chamber hosted the first breakfast to present the program to community leaders. Led by Roland Pugh and Johnny Duckworth, initial funding for a five-year period was secured and Crime Stoppers was in business.
Today, Crime Stoppers of Tuscaloosa County is an award-winning, effective program with over
4,000 tips resulting in almost 700 cases being solved. In 1993, Crime Stoppers International recognized
the Tuscaloosa County Crime Stoppers as the "most improved" program in the 100,000 to 300,000 popu-
lation category.
Crime Stoppers of Tuscaloosa County has helped investigators recover over $2.8 million of stolen property and drugs. During the organization's 12 year history, 228 fugitives have been apprehended; 269 narcotics cases have been solved; 29 robbery cases cleared; two arson cases solved; 37 burglary cases solved; and 8 homicides cleared by arrest.
Crime Stoppers was created to combat three major problems faced by law enforcement in generating needed information: 1) fear of reprisal; 2) an attitude of apathy; and 3) a reluctance to get involved. Crime Stoppers resolves these problems by offering anonymity to citizens who provide information about crimes; and paying rewards when the information supplied leads to arrests.
How does Tuscaloosa County Crime Stoppers Work?
A call to the Crime Stoppers TIP LINE, (205) 752-STOP (7867) is answered 24 hours a day by a Tuscaloosa Police Officer. The officer takes the TIP information, and should the TIP contain information that must be acted upon immediately, the officer provides the information to the appropriate law enforce-
ment agency. Callers to Crime Stoppers talk to a local police officer, not an answering machine and not
to a person taking calls in another city hundreds of miles away.
People calling Crime Stoppers remain safe and anonymous. Crime Stopper lines do not even
have caller ID. The caller does not have to testify in court. Several court decision have actually upheld
that calls to Crime Stoppers are "anonymous phone tips". Crime Stoppers is dedicated to keeping the
identity of the caller confidential.
Tuscaloosa County Crime Stopper rewards range from $25.00 to $1,000.00. Unlike some reward
programs, Crime Stoppers pays after an arrest is made, not after a conviction and all appeals have been
exhausted. One key to the confidentiality is by not paying rewards greater than $1,000.00. Should a higher reward be paid, confidentiality could not be guaranteed because of IRS requirements.
Crime Stoppers Needs Your Help!
Thanks to the conservative financial policy of the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors, and a number of callers not wanting a cash reward, Crime Stoppers has not required a major fund campaign
to keep the program in operation since its inception in 1988. Unfortunately, success and the rising cost
of operations have created a financial need.
Crime Stoppers rewards do not come from tax dollars. The reward and operation funds come
from donations from the community and from funding generated by a special legislative act that applies
to Tuscaloosa County. The act provides a few dollars from each felony case settled in the county. In
addition, Crime Stoppers receives a small percent of dollars generated from the sale of seized property
at public auction.
Crime Stoppers appreciates the members of the community who joined and continue to support
our Centurion Club. With a $100.00 annual donation, you can become a member of the Centurion Club
and help fund rewards and operations. In addition, Crime Stoppers has established two new member
programs: Corporate Silver at $500.00 annually, and Corporate Gold at $1,000.00
For Crime Stoppers to continue as a viable, effective program in Tuscaloosa County, the community needs to step forward. Crime Stoppers needs to rebuild its reward fund and ensure that
there is an adequate reserve to support reward payments as well as secure funding for operational
costs.
For more information about how you can support Crime Stoppers, please contact Captain David
Hartin, Crime Stopper Coordinator, at the Tuscaloosa Police Department at 349-0480 or 349-2121.
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Teachers In Business 2000
Teachers in Business 2000 concluded its sixth annual teacher summer internship program. Chaired by Joe Giglotto, with Hunt Refining, the program is one of the Chamber's school-to-career initiatives designed to put teachers in touch with today's world of work, allowing them to gain first-hand experience of skills that are necessary for success in the workplace.
Seven local businesses provided summer internship positions for teachers who are currently teaching in the Tuscaloosa area. This year's business participants are Alabama Power, AmSouth Bank, The Bank of Tuscaloosa, Century 21 Real Estate, DCH Regional Medical Center, PACE Learning Systems and Hunt Refining. These companies' positions were filled by the following eight teachers: Barbara Beemer, Tuscaloosa Middle School; Rhonda Brinyark, Collins-Riverside; Virginia Cole, Central High East; Susan Copen, Brookwood High School; Regina Harris, Westlawn; Cynthia Walton, Eastwood Middle School; Boyce Williams, Jr.; and Janis Wood, Collins-Riverside.
While continuing to gain new participants along the way, several of these businesses and teachers have participated in the program previously. Dr. Susan McKee, of PACE Learning Systems, has repeated her company's participation in the program stating that she has found the teachers to have "a natural ability to observe and to learn quickly".
Teacher Janis Wood, who spent several weeks working at PACE, explains that while using the skills that she has developed as a teacher she has also gained an awareness of the workplace from a new perspective. "Since my entire employment background has been in the realm of education, this internship has been an ideal opportunity to gain an understanding of the 'other' world of work." She added," I can now speak from experience about the expectations of the business community toward its employees. I feel that all the students I work with will benefit from my observations at PACE. It has truly been a valuable experience."
Agreeing with Ms Wood on the value of the program for teachers, Dr. McKee commented, "Immersing teachers in the daily concerns of the business world enables them to make their students aware of the general expectations of their future employers, thus helping to produce a better prepared workforce." However, the value of the program extends beyond benefits for the teacher, as indicated by Dr. McKee's statement: "This has been our second year participating in the Teachers in Business program. We have certainly received an excellent return on our investment."
In addition to the continuation of an adapted summer internship program for teachers, the Chamber plans to expand its menu of teacher development options to encompass more opportunities for increased participation among teachers and businesses.
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Developing Strategies & Technologies For Your DotCom. Scheduled
eTechnology…….eCommerce……eOpportunity…….all of these are at center stage in today's global economy. Business conducted on the Internet now is miniscule as compared to what will happen
in the future.
To address these opportunities, a one-day conference, "Developing Strategies & Technologies For Your DotCom." will be held in Tuscaloosa at the Bryant Conference Center on September 28th beginning at 8:00 AM and concluding at 4:00 PM. This conference has been developed
to provide the background necessary to understand today's opportunities and technologies, and more
importantly, to prepare to take advantage of this expanding, powerful force for business development in
the future. A faculty of outstanding, nationally-known presenters has been secured for the conference.
The conference sponsors include: The University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Com-merce and Business Administration, College of Continuing Studies, and EMBA Alumni Council. Cost
of the conference is $125.00 per person for graduates of the sponsors or $195.00 per person for non-
graduates.
For registration or additional information, call 348-3000.
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The Seven Essentials of Internet Marketing
by Lenny Charnoff
So you've got a great idea; a can't live-without-it service; a better mousetrap. How do you get the world to beat a path to your door?
The Web is littered with sites that promise everything from instant wealth to unheard-of-longevity;
from books written by the masters to "free" music. How do you distinguish your site from all of the rest?
How can you drive customers…….be they potential members, contributions or sponsors…..to your web
site and convince them that you are the organization with whom they should be spending their time and
money? It may seem like a crapshoot, but it really boils down to seven very simple essentials.
- Let Them Know You're Alive. Potential customers can't possibly find your site among the estimated one billion web pages unless you promote it. Registering with search engines are an excellent start but only the beginning of the promotion process.
Every letter, business card, brochure, media release, advertisement and article should contain your web address and encourage prospects to visit your site for more information. E-mail sent by every person in your organization should promote your web site.
- Get Their Attention. Once you've convinced prospects to visit your web site, be sure they spend time there. Hit visitors right up front with the answer to their most important question: "What's in it for me?" Fancy graphics and colorful backgrounds may tell prospects you've got a talented designer, but they don't tell them why they should stick around.
- Make It Easy To Get Information. Don't force your visitors to hunt for what they want because chances are they won't. Use frame with a clear, concise table of contents. Make sure there's a "contact us" link on each and every page. Make sure all email is responded to immediately.
- Reward Them For Their Time. Always give your visitors something of value for the time they spend browsing your web site. You don't have to run contests or even send them a premium, but you do have to make visitors feel their time was not wasted. Articles of interest; a subscription to a news-
letter; links to other related sites will all make your prospect feel as though their time was well spent.
- Ask Them For Information. As long as you follow the previous rule, most visitors will be willing to give you a bit of information about themselves. People are flattered to think that you want their opinion, so be sure to ask for it. A guestbook, where visitors can enter their name, email address or a comment is a good start. Use a brief survey of how they feel about a relevant topic. Use an entry form for a contest. Simply by asking the visitor to help you out will elicit valuable information.
- Guarantee Their Privacy. Assume that every visitor to your web site has privacy and security upper-
most in their mind. You should have a privacy policy on your home page to reassure your visitors that their information will not be sold or shared with anyone….and you absolutely must live up to that.
- Give Them A Reason To Keep Coming Back. Promise your web site visitors continually updated and current content. Let them know that next week there will be another article in a series; more links to great web sites; updates on industry and community happenings……anything that will encourage them to bookmark your site and visit on a regular basis. Regular visitors often turn into regular customers.
(Lenny Charnoff is LERN's Internet Guru. Source: Associations Online. )
Back to Top Alabama Commerce Commission Addresses Future Opportunities
The Alabama Commerce Commission, created and appointed by Governor Don Siegelman to address future economic development for the State of Alabama, "believes the many barriers to success
in economic development can best be addressed by dealing with problems in manageable segments."
From the introduction of the commission's report, the Commerce Commission states that "the
cornerstone recommendation is the establishment of economic development regions which will give the
people and resources in a region the opportunity to work together in a coordinated fashion to begin to
address their own local barriers to economic success."
The report addresses several opportunities in detail. The following is a summary of the key points of the report of the Alabama Commerce Commission:
Regions. Create no more than six economic development regions across the state.
Structure. Retain the current public and private structure for economic development, and develop a formal relationship agreement to provide clarity.
Education. Initiate a major effort to ensure a significant growth in the percentage of Alabama's population with a high school diploma or equivalent. Create a scholarship program with no GPA requirements to provide free tuition to high school graduates who enter targeted vocational and technical programs in two year colleges.
Incentives. Implement a differentiated incentive program to assist in a special effort to vitalize the state's rural and distressed areas.
State Docks. Implement a public-private partnership for the joint development of the state docks and the Port of Mobile.
Research. Create an Alabama Research Alliance involving research universities and run by a private corporation.
Infrastructure. Implement a road and bridge improvement plan, utilizing public-private partnerships whenever possible. Address the repair of rural bridges. Make mass transit eligible to receive state fuel tax and registration fee dollars.
Provide support to ensure completion of high-speed telecommunications infrastructure in Alabama, particularly in rural areas. Appoint a statewide task force to develop a plan for education and state agencies.
Restructure the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, with a Director appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, and with increased powers. Create a vehicle emissions inspection program for nonattainment areas. Protect Alabama's interests in the water dispute with Georgia.
Manage growth through "smart growth" techniques. Make environmental protection a priority.
Move the State Aeronautics Board under the Department of Transportation to increase attention and visibility; and consider abolishing the International Airport Authority.
Agribusiness. Issue the agricultural development bonds approved by voters two years ago. Develop a marketing plan for agribusiness.
Tourism. Conduct a study of the current structure of the Bureau of Tourism and Travel; and make any changes needed for increased effectiveness. Pursue public-private partnerships in developing the state's attractions. Issue bonds and move quickly to improve the state parks. Ensure that seasonal visitors pay
the lodging tax.
International Trade. Align the efforts of the Alabama Development Office and World Business Alabama more closely, with a formal operational agreement. Create an advocacy group for the state's development among senior executives who live outside Alabama. Assess all foreign trade offices for viability.
Charge ADO with developing a trade development program.
Small Business. Enact business license reform legislation.
Clusters. Pursue the economic development cluster concept to attract industries conducive to develop-
ment of the state's various regions.
Defense & NASA Spending. Create a commission on military affairs to keep up with military investment
in the state.
Tax and Constitutional Reform. The Governor should initiate activities to develop a plan for addressing constitutional revisions and tax reform issues necessary to allow the state to move forward rapidly in economic development.
Along with Governor Siegelman, Dr. Tom Meredith, Chancellor of The University of Alabama System and member of the Board of Directors of The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, serves
as Co-Chairman of the Alabama Commerce Commission. A Chamber In Session is being planned to
provide a program overview of the Alabama Commerce Commission. Details will be announced soon.
The full report of the Alabama Commerce Commission contains details on these recommenda-
tions. To view the report, go to the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama's web site at:
http://parca.samford.edu and look under economic development.
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The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama is involved in diverse and extensive business
activities, providing opportunities for member involvement and service in a wide array of projects and
issues. The following is a summary of some of The Chamber's current activities. Find a place of
service and get involved in your Chamber!
Northport Citizen of the Year Program Set. The annual Northport Citizen of the Year awards dinner
has been set for Tuesday night, October 10th at 7:00 PM at the Northport Civic Center. The guest speaker will be Mayor Larry Langford of Fairfield. Deadline for nominations will be September 28th at
4:00 PM. Nomination forms are available at The Chamber office. For additional details, contact The
Chamber at 758-7588. Betty Barnett serves as Chair of the planning committee.
FUTURE PAC Funding Underway. The Chamber's political action committee, FUTURE PAC, is
currently developing funding and soliciting member support. FUTURE PAC was created to focus
on the specific issue of Congressional redistricting and legislative reapportionment. All Chamber members are eligible to contribute to FUTURE PAC. Howard Garrison serves as Chairman of the
Board of Directors of FUTURE PAC. For additional information, contact Johnnie Aycock at 391-0559.
Northport Political Rally Successful. With almost 400 citizens attending, the Northport Political
Rally, held on July 24th at Tuscaloosa County High School, was very successful. Twelve of the
thirteen candidates attended and participated in a lively question and answer session about issues
facing the City of Northport. The Chamber's Northport Advisory Council organized and sponsored
the "old fashioned" political rally. Lew Drummond and Ike Adams serve as Co-Chairs of the Council.
School-To-Career Planning Is Encouraging. The Chamber's planning committee for the development
of a regional school-to-career system is making outstanding progress. Led by Mike Porter of Alabama
Power Company along with our consultant Ann Roy, the planning task force involves dozens of area
business and educational leaders. Final work is being completed on the plan that will focus on four key
areas: workforce-based programs; school-based programs; teacher development; and marketing and
public relations.
Transportation Task Force Focused On Results. The Chamber's Transportation Task Force continues
to address and monitor key highway development projects for Tuscaloosa County and West Alabama. A
focused-effort has been implemented to ensure that announced projects as well as future needs are
addressed on a regular basis, including expansion of I-59/20, the eastern bridge, four-laning of Highways
43, 82 and 69 South. The task force is also exploring the possible development of a business plan for an
intermodal facility at the Tuscaloosa Airport. Terry Waters serves as Chairman of the task force.
T-Town Products Available. The Chamber's new line of T-Town logo products is available at the
Tuscaloosa Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Chamber office. The product line has received
enthusiastic response. A full line of products is available including golf shirts, T-shirts, coffee mugs
and other products that make great gifts as well as corporate incentives. Check out our T-Town
product line. You can also order on-line at The Chamber's web site: www.tuscaloosachamber.com.
For additional information about these and other Chamber programs, call The Chamber at
758-7588 or go to The Chamber's web site at www.tuscaloosachamber.com.
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1. List everything you need to do today….then number each item in order of priority.
2. Distinguish between "urgent" and "important" items, and make time for the latter.
3. Don't just dream your goals, plan them. Write down the steps to each goal and get started on step one.
4. Make a quick decision on each piece of paper that crosses your desk: act on it; file it; or toss it. Prevent paper pile-ups!
5. Set a starting time as well as a deadline for all projects.
6. Treat a big project like a pie: cut it up into small slices.
7. Take 10 minutes a day to plan your day; and save up to an hour in execution.
8. When you're swamped with work, don't be afraid to say "no" to new projects.
9. If you run out of steam on one project, switch to another. A great revitalizer!
10. Trim the fat from your schedule: cut out low-payoff activities.
(Reprinted from Day Timers Inc.)
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Top Business Trends May Impact Your Firm
The following is an overview of the Kiplinger Report's Top Business Trends reprinted from the May/June, 2000 issue of Chamber Executive:
- Higher Interest Rates. With increased inflation measures, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan will likely continue to increase interest rates, which will affect business profits and stock values.
- Less Bullish Stock Market. As profits tighten for American corporations, the stock market will continue to level out, resulting in lower returns for stockholders.
- Aging Workforce. By 2010, the median age in the workforce will increase by eight years.
- Growing Minority Population. As the Hispanic and other minority populations grow, America's minority workforce will also see significant growth, perhaps even becoming the majority popula-
tion within urban cities and many western states.
- Businesses Move Back To Cities. The growth of business within suburban areas will finally start to decline. Fueled by the Internet, more companies will move back to cities to reduce overhead and be nearer the workforce.
- Home based Business. Home-based businesses will increase by 200 percent by 2005. Also, more
businesses will allow employees to work from home.
- Transportation Issues. Transportation will become of growing importance as more businesses need to devise strategies to get their workforce to work.
- Increases Wage Pressures. A steady dip in unemployment suggests there will be more pressure to increase wage levels nationwide. High-tech, construction, trucking, retail and the service industries will have an increased need for labor, which will trigger higher wages. It is predicted that businesses will shell out lots of money (including extra perks, bonuses, employee discounts, etc.) to find and keep good workers.
- Higher Expense of Keeping Workers. In terms of keeping good employees, businesses will find it more expensive to do so. Rising healthcare costs will have a profound influence on employers. Fueled by increasing drug prices, it is predicted that small business will be hit the hardest, facing a 15 percent increase on average.
- E Commerce To Take A Quantum Leap. E-commerce is expected to take a quantum leap in 2000. Better Internet capabilities and faster connections will more than double business-to-business transitions to the tune of $250 billion. Reports suggest that on-line consumer sales will reach $39 billion. However, the dot.com craze will decline, as competition becomes fierce, forcing mergers among some firms and forcing others out of the game altogether.
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39 area citizens graduated in May from the 1999-2000 Leadership Tuscaloosa Class, and plans are underway for the 2000-2001 class. Karen Baldwin, Director of External Affairs & Development for the College of Engineering at The University of Alabama, is the 2000-2001 Chair of Leadership Tuscaloosa.
Leadership Tuscaloosa is a nine-month, personal development program sponsored by The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and the College of Continuing Studies at The University of Alabama. Entering its 18th years, Leadership Tuscaloosa has 567 graduates to date. The 2000-2001 class will begin on September 19th and 20th with a kick-off reception and orientation.
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Chattanooga and Clarksville, Tennessee; Columbus and Savannah, Georgia; Little Rock; Portland, Oregon; Hartford, Connecticut; and San Antonio, Texas. What do these communities, as well as many others, have in common?
Each of these communities, just like ours, is strategically located on a major river. Each of these communities have made major strides in the enhancement of their riverfronts for parks, "greenways", recreation, tourism, and economic development.
Tuscaloosa and Northport can learn from other successful communities as we move forward with plans for riverfront enhancements? We have an exciting opportunity if we will all work together with a common vision .
What have we learned from other successful communities? What best practices can be applied to our community's riverfront?
While there are many interesting ideas and projects that have been discovered, there are several common threads that have been identified that should be applied locally. These include continuity,
consistency, commitment, comprehensive approach, cooperation, quality, and public leadership.
In all of these successful riverfront communities, there has been a continuity of purpose and a
consistent commitment to implement their plans. In
addition, there has been a commitment to quality and comprehensive planning ensuring that the public and private sectors work together, compliment the whole, and provide balance between economic and environmental elements.
In each of these communities, there has been a commitment to and consistent application of plans to ensure safety, security and a clean, well-
maintained riverfront that is inviting for families, tourists and commercial activity and investment. In every case the riverfront has become a centerpiece of economic and recreational activity as well as a showcase for the community.
In virtually every community that we've looked at, a riverwalk has been the first, physical improvement project. With development of a quality riverwalk, there is solid and overwhelming evidence that dividends flow back from
public investment in riverfront improvements.
In each of these successful ventures, there has been an environment of cooperation between public and private sectors, between multiple governmental units, and among private and public land owners. There has been coordination along with a commitment to work in partnership for the common good.
Let's not limit ourselves…..let's not create any obstacles for the future.
It is essential that a coordinated, quality enhancement initiative and "greeway" be implemented in partnership between Tuscaloosa and Northport. Each community can and should compliment the other. Duplication of effort should be avoided.
Let's make sure we have reasonable zoning in place that clearly defines a balance of commercial development with family-oriented leisure, recreational and park development and environmental stewardship.
Short and long term objectives and plans should be developed, but more importantly, should be implemented in a reasonable, set time period. What about some creative financial incentives that will stimulate investment and complimentary commercial development?
We need a vision coupled with a comprehensive plan for riverfront enhancement with a total commitment to stick to an effort to implement the planned improvements. The Riverfront Committee should be applauded for helping paint a vision of the possibilities for our community.
Yes, there are some challenges that must be faced to achieve riverfront improvement for the benefit of the total metro area. Working together, a quality and balanced riverfront enhancement plan can become reality. It just takes leadership!
ViewPoint
by Johnnie Aycock, President
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