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Community Corner

East Granby Chamber of Commerce Honors Local Businesses, Discusses Economy

Fergus Cullen, executive director of the Yankee Institute for Public Policy spoke during an East Granby Chamber of Commerce event to recognize local business leaders.

This year’s annual meeting of the East Granby Chamber of Commerce included a discussion of the economy, as well as the recognition of local businesses for their commitment to the community.

The Business Leader of the Year award was presented to Michael Francoeur, founder/CEO of Joining Technologies, and President David Hudson. 

“We love being in East Granby,” Hudson said. “We’ve leveraged our core values as a growth strategy and its working very well for us. Our growth strategy is to grow within East Granby.”

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The Small Business Leader of the Year was given to Tami Zawistowski, of Resource Books, LLC. Zawistowski is the outgoing president of the chamber. 

Mark Hann, currently the vice president and running for the position of president, said Zawistoski has made the chamber stronger.  Zawistowki said it was “a great honor" to be the recipient of the award. 

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Bob Sproat and George Utter were also honored with a Special Recognition Award. As long-time members, both have also served in the capacity of president of the chamber. 

Chamber guests also heard from Fergus Cullen, the executive director of the Yankee Institute for Public Policy, which he said is “Connecticut’s free market think tank.”

He addressed Governor Dannel Malloy’s proposed budget and proposed tax increases. 

Cullen drew attention to a February 2011 survey for the institute of 500 likely voters, where people were polled on things such as spending cuts, tax hikes and Malloy’s time in office. 

“The bottom line is that people think we should cut spending first,” Cullen said. 

According to the survey, only 18 percent strongly approved of Malloy’s job as governor, 32 percent somewhat approved, 19 percent somewhat disapproved, 27 percent strongly disapproved and 3 percent were not sure. On the topic of cutting a billion dollars through concessions from state employees, 71 percent were in support, 20 percent opposed and 9 percent were not sure. 

Cullen also discussed a 2009 survey on population migration that shows one in 10 residents of Connecticut has left the state over the last two decades. 

“It’s hard to see the people who aren’t here,” he said.

Not only does the migration affect quantitative values like taxes and the value of homes, he said, but also qualitative values. That one person could represent a neighbor, friend or even a member of the chamber. 

Cullen urged chamber members to voice their opinions on the budget and what the state is facing the economy.

“They need to hear from people who employ other people,” he said. 

On Tuesday morning, the Board of Directors will vote on new board members from 8 - 9 a.m. at the East Granby Public Library. Meetings are open to chamber members. 

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