| March 23, 2010 MLA Recognizes Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary VICTORIA- Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton spoke in the Legislature today to pay tribute to the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce for its 100 years of service in the region. “Mr. Speaker, this weekend, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Chamber of Commerce. Originally called the Port Haney Progressive Association, the name and the organization have gone through a few permutations, but its purpose has remained to advocate for issues important for the community, to promote businesses and to play a visible role in supporting community events and organizations. “Last year, the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce won the Chamber of the Year award. This was in recognition of the great growth that it has seen: there are now nearly 700 members, up 30% in the past three years. “Dean Barbour is the Chamber’s current Executive Director. He, along with the Chamber staff, the Board Directors including current President Jeremy Bekar, have played instrumental roles in seeing this organization revitalized. It is one of the few Chambers that is totally self-sufficient, not receiving grants from any outside source. And the Chamber’s frequent events are often sold out. “In the early years, it pressed for the first high school, electricity service, weekend C.P.R. rates to Vancouver, for a highway to Mission and for the creation of the Volunteer Fire brigade. Later on, it was involved in the 1957 opening of the Maple Ridge Hospital, the Pitt River swing bridge and the Albion Ferry. Transportation and infrastructure have remained in the forefront of its priorities. “The Chamber is enthusiastic about the opportunities that the new Golden Ears Bridge and Pitt River Bridge present for the communities. The benefits from the bridges are just beginning to be felt. “The last hundred years have seen many stories of success and there is every reason to believe that the years ahead will be no different for Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce.” See the full transcript of this statement on the Hansard website. -30- | |
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