Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • June 15, 2011 Area Several local chambers of commerce, including those in Allendale, Mahwah, and Wyckoff, have joined forces with a consortium of Bergen-Passaic chambers to change the law so small businesses with one to 50 employees could purchase group health insurance through the local chambers. The primary sponsor for this legislative amendment (Senate Bill 2874) is Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-District 39, Bergen), ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee. “In these tough economic times, it’s critical that government work with business to make health care more affordable,” Cardinale said. Since introducing the bill on May 12, Cardinale has garnered support from the bill’s Democratic co-sponsors, Senator Loretta Weinberg (D-District 37, Bergen), and Senator Nicholas Scutari (D-District 22, Middlesex/ Morris/Union). The group’s chairman, John DePalma, MPH, Regional Director of UHY Employee Benefits Consulting Services and member of the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce, said health benefits purchasing alliances like this are common in other states. “With health care reform becoming effective in 2014, it is about time that the State of New Jersey allows companies with one employee to be eligible to participate in the small group offerings,” DePalma said. “Currently, these offerings Chambers work to make health insurance available require two employees or more. This is particularly important in our current environment where health care costs keep increasing at an alarming level, and it is important to note that the surrounding states already allow companies, such as this, to join their small employer programs.” The effort to change the law was begun over a year ago by Dr. Annette Freund, immediate past president of the Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce. This month, over 200 more chambers are being invited to join in a statewide letter-writing campaign. “We need to explain to our legislators and the governor that a vote for this bill is a vote for small business,” said Freund, “especially the startups, the sole proprietors, and the entrepreneurs with only one employee. Saving money on group health insurance could free up capital for hiring new employees, support the economic recovery, and encourage over half a million individual proprietorships to stay in New Jersey.” For more information, or to join the letter-writing campaign, visit www.allendalechamber.com or call Mike Lindsay at (201) 236-1910; visit www.mahwah.com or call the Mahwah Chamber office at (201) 529-5566; or visit wyckoffchamber.com or contact Wyckoff Chamber President Jay Vidockler at (201) 891-3711 Summer entertainment at the Kasschau Shell will continue June 14 with an 8:30 p.m. concert featuring The Richard Reiter Swing Band. This concert is sponsored by Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill. On June 16, Ticket 2 Ride, New Jersey’s Premier Beatle Tribute Band, will perform. This program is sponsored by Hudson City Savings and The Ridgewood News. The June 21 performance will feature Greg Caldarone with popular and Italian standards. Boiling Springs Savings Bank will sponsor this concert. Now in its 53nd year of free summer entertainment, Kasschau Shell performances announced Under the Stars at the Kasschau Shell will offer concerts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Veteran’s Field band shell. Each week, a variety of family entertainment will be offered. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket. Restrooms are wheelchair accessible. For taped rain site information (June through August only), call (201) 444-1776 after 7 p.m. The Kasschau Memorial Shell operates under the auspices of the Village of Ridgewood in cooperation with the Department of Parks and Recreation. Many local organizations and businesses provide funding for these programs.