(June 23, 2016) The Berlin Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 30th anniversary last Thursday with a well-attended ceremony in the parking lot of its office on Main Street.
The crowd was largely made up of local business owners, many of which had been active chamber participants for years, and even decades.
Mayor Gee Williams admitted he was “a little embarrassed” to be old enough to remember the founding of the chamber, in 1986.
“Five to 10 years before that there were more business, more places downtown – not just Main Street, but the side streets – that were closed than were even open,” he said. “Many of those places that were closed were used for storage.”
That all changed about four years ago, Williams said.
“It didn’t happen overnight, but it happened by persistence and because [of] many of the people here and many of the people that preceded us,” he said. “I hope we can all take a little time and remember that such thriving change doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen if you absolutely believe in what you’re doing. And, in Berlin, we do believe and we’re so thankful for what the chamber of commerce has done to make the Berlin of the 21st century possible.”
To commemorate the occasion, Williams presented a plaque on behalf of the mayor and council he hoped “would not be put in a bathroom somewhere.”
Reece Cropper, the founder of the chamber, also spoke.
“Gee is right – this town was a mess,” he said. “When Roxanne Williams came to me and said, ‘take over the downtown revitalization,’ the town had already started. Really, it just needed to keep the momentum and you all are the ones that should pat yourselves on the back. You all are the ones who have carried this torch, and you should be very proud of yourselves. You made this town into a beautiful municipality.”
Del. Mary Beth Carozza and Sen. Jim Mathias also presented commendations on behalf of the state legislature.
“Reece started the chamber 30 years … ” Mathias said.
“It was the only thing I fathered,” Cropper deadpanned.
“He’s making a claim here that I can’t substantiate,” Mathias added.
The senator went on to quote Marvin Gaye, and to thank the chamber leadership and business owners.
“He’s to 30 more,” he said. “Raise your glasses to good health, fun, bathtub races, Christmas parades and all the stuff that makes berlin great – most importantly, you the people.”
The crowd was largely made up of local business owners, many of which had been active chamber participants for years, and even decades.
Mayor Gee Williams admitted he was “a little embarrassed” to be old enough to remember the founding of the chamber, in 1986.
“Five to 10 years before that there were more business, more places downtown – not just Main Street, but the side streets – that were closed than were even open,” he said. “Many of those places that were closed were used for storage.”
That all changed about four years ago, Williams said.
“It didn’t happen overnight, but it happened by persistence and because [of] many of the people here and many of the people that preceded us,” he said. “I hope we can all take a little time and remember that such thriving change doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen if you absolutely believe in what you’re doing. And, in Berlin, we do believe and we’re so thankful for what the chamber of commerce has done to make the Berlin of the 21st century possible.”
To commemorate the occasion, Williams presented a plaque on behalf of the mayor and council he hoped “would not be put in a bathroom somewhere.”
Reece Cropper, the founder of the chamber, also spoke.
“Gee is right – this town was a mess,” he said. “When Roxanne Williams came to me and said, ‘take over the downtown revitalization,’ the town had already started. Really, it just needed to keep the momentum and you all are the ones that should pat yourselves on the back. You all are the ones who have carried this torch, and you should be very proud of yourselves. You made this town into a beautiful municipality.”
Del. Mary Beth Carozza and Sen. Jim Mathias also presented commendations on behalf of the state legislature.
“Reece started the chamber 30 years … ” Mathias said.
“It was the only thing I fathered,” Cropper deadpanned.
“He’s making a claim here that I can’t substantiate,” Mathias added.
The senator went on to quote Marvin Gaye, and to thank the chamber leadership and business owners.
“He’s to 30 more,” he said. “Raise your glasses to good health, fun, bathtub races, Christmas parades and all the stuff that makes berlin great – most importantly, you the people.”