LETTER
Chamber of Commerce Applauds School Resolution

June 15, 2015

DEAR EDITOR,

I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber of Commerce has served businesses on the Eastern Shore for 62 years.  Representing more than 450 businesses, our mission is to “serve, promote and connect businesses and communities of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.”

The Board of Directors would like to commend the Northampton County Board of Supervisors for the Resolution they adopted at their meeting on May 12, 2015.  We wholeheartedly agree that education should be viewed as the cornerstone for the county’s economic future. We encourage the Board of Supervisors to remain focused on education and to keep all the educational declarations listed below in the forefront of their decision making.

RESOLUTION DECLARING EDUCATION AS THE CORNERSTONE FOR NORTHAMPTON COUNTY’S ECONOMIC FUTURE

WHEREAS, it is well established and recognized that the future of our local, regional and even global society hinges on an engaged, informed, and educated youth; and

WHEREAS, it is also recognized that a well-educated and inspired student body is the engine that drives, and will continue to drive our local and regional economy; and

WHEREAS, Northampton County is fortunate to enjoy world-class teachers who have dedicated themselves to ensuring that their students are equipped and prepared to become productive and beneficial members of society in business, academic and leadership roles; and

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WHEREAS, the Northampton County Board of Supervisors gives great weight to the needs and desires of the school system as they arise throughout the year; and

WHEREAS, the Northampton County Board of Supervisors realizes that teachers and instructors in the school system need more than financial support to ensure that our students benefit from a fulfilling and rewarding academic experience; and

WHEREAS, there has been a renewed interest by community members, civic organizations, churches, business leaders, and others to become more involved in assisting teachers in their important roles as educators; and

WHEREAS, this involvement can and should include mentoring, tutoring, job shadowing, workforce training programs, and the overall establishment of a working relationship  between the community, the school system, and the students.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Northampton County Board of Supervisors declares on this date, May 12, 2015, that education is now and should remain into the future the engine that drives our local and regional economy; and

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Northampton County Board of Supervisors supports local initiatives that ensure that our students will benefit from community support programs aimed at ensuring that Northampton County students enjoy a rich and fulfilling educational experience. [End of Resolution]

We thank the Board of Supervisors for their service.  The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce stands ready to offer any assistance to the businesses and citizens of the Eastern Shore.

KRISTIN WEBB
Chairman, Board of Directors
Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce