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Our March Chamber Connection newsletter is now posted! 

This month's issue is sponsored by

Shakeshaft's Electronics

Please click the name/logo above to view the March newsletter in PDF format.

Please note that the correct start time for the Candidates' Forum next Monday, March 31st is 6:45 PM, not 7PM as you may have read in previous Chamber E-mail Updates.  The event is scheduled as follows:

6:45PM - School Board candidates portion of the forum begins, lasting approximately one hour.

7:45PM - Fifteen minute intermission.

8:00PM - Mayoral/Alderman candidates portion of the forum begins.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and we hope you can join us for this important event leading up to the April 8th elections.

The Odessa Chamber of Commerce February membership luncheon was held today (2/27) at noon at Countryside Family Dining.

This month's speaker was Tahnami Gittinger, member of the Odessa R-VII Board of Education, speaking about the current condition of the Upper Elementary building and the upcoming bond issue that, if passed on April 8th, would finance a new building to house grades 3 - 5.  She was joined by Dr. Forrest Bollow, Superintendent of Schools, who explained the financial details of the project, and Juli Sions, president of the OUE PTO, who also spoke in favor of the bond issue.  Also attending were Debbie Schweikert and Daniel Armstrong, OUE principal and assistant principal.

Among the facts shared were safety concerns regarding the current building (parts of which are 96 years old), overcrowding in hallways and classrooms, and weight requirements of upper level floors.  Preliminary design information for a new Upper Elementary building was also presented.  Dr. Bollow shared that the existing levy would not change, regardless of whether the issue is passed, and that any monies remaining after completion of the new facility would help fund baseball & softball fields and a tennis court at the Middle School.

If you have any questions regarding the bond issue, please contact Dr. Forrest Bollow at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  More information on the bond issue can also be found at www.odessa.k12.mo.us/vnews/display.v/ART/47c3299fbca49.  For more information on OUE and upcoming events centered around the bond issue, please contact Juli Sions at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Following the presentation, Chamber President Carla Struchtemeyer briefed the membership on progress with the 2008 Odessa Rodeo & Bull Blowout.  The Rodeo Committee and newly formed Audit Committee were presented as opportunities for members to get involved, and a request was also made for questions to be submitted for possible use at the Odessa Candidate's Forum on March 31st.

Chamber Intern Elliot Bentsen shared updates on the new Chamber website and weekly e-mail update.  Bentsen also presented the revamped Chamber Connection newsletter, explaining distribution and the enhanced interactive content now included.

Cassie Fisher of Harmony Banking by Concordia Bank was drawn to be the March Chamber Member of the Month.

Have you received your copy of our new Weekly Update e-mail newsletter?

If not, send us an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  to subscribe today!  Every Thursday our newsletter will share new opportunities and perks available to Chamber members, as well as upcoming events and more.  This is in addition to our monthly Chamber Connection newsletter.  Subscribe today, and don't miss out on the latest updates from your friends here at the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, where we're working together to Make Odessa The Place To Be!