Names Chosen for Lacey Township Economic Development Commission

At last Thursday evening’s meeting of the Lacey Township Committee, it was announced by Municipal Administrator/Clerk Veronica Laureigh that six of the seven members of the newly-formed Lacey Township Economic Development Commission had been chosen.

The group’s mission going forward is to attract business to and enhance the tourism industry of Lacey Township, with these community members on the commission:

• Representing the Department of Labor will be Debra Madensky, who has been appointed for a two-year term, which commenced April 12 of this year, and will end on December 31, 2013.

• Representing Local Service Clubs will be Barry Bendar, who has been appointed for a three-year term, which commenced April 12 of this year, and will end on December 31, 2014.

• Representing Industry/Commerce will be Richard Brown, who has been appointed for a four-year term, which commenced April 12 of this year, and will end on December 31, 2015.

• Representing the Chamber of Commerce will be James Spaloss, who has also been appointed for a four-year term, which commenced April 12 of this year, and will also end on December 31, 2015.

• Representing the Legal Profession will be Christopher Dasti, who has been appointed for a five-year term, which commenced April 12 of this year, and will end on December 31, 2016.

• Representing the field of Real Estate will be George Broome, who has also been appointed for a five-year term, which commenced April 12 of this year, and will end on December 31, 2016.

• A member yet to be named will be appointed to the position representing Clearing House of Banks, for a one-year term which commenced April 12 of this year, and will end on December 31, 2012.

“There is a still a vacancy for the representative of the Clearing House of Banks, so if you know of anybody that is in the position of banking, please feel free to have them send in their letter of interest (to the township),” said Laureigh.

Laureigh added that she will be sending out a letter to the announced members very soon, in order to coordinate an organizational meeting and delegate the leadership of the group.

During their individual remarks later in the meeting, various members of the Township Committee praised the creation of the Economic Development Commission.

Committeewoman Helen Dela Cruz wanted to thank all administrative personnel in the township for their “hard work” in helping to develop the commission, and congratulated all of its new members.

Committeeman Gary Quinn also offered his congratulations to the commission members, and said that their ideas coming to the governing body will be a “good tool” for getting an influx of new ideas on attracting business and tourism to the area, but that they will need to work hand-in-hand with the governing body to accomplish their goals.

“We will have to work together, but I wish them the best and hope it’s successful,” said Quinn.

Committeeman Sean Sharkey praised the commission as “part of a longtime plan we’ve all talked about,” and was happy to see it proceed.

Committeeman and Deputy Mayor David Most thanked Dela Cruz for her “forward thinking” on the Economic Development Commission.

“I think there’s definitely a purpose for that committee moving forward, and I think that they will come up with some very good ideas and be useful to the township,” said Most.

Mayor Mark Dykoff also expressed his belief that the township was doing what it could to develop good strategies in helping to attract new ratables to Lacey Township, and it is expected that this commission will also assist in that goal.