Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • April 17. 2013 Dear Readers: As I take a look around Franklin Lakes this year, I notice there a number of new businesses opening up on both sides of town. Mayor Frank Bivona and I have done a number of grand opening events for these new businesses since the beginning of this year. I’m excited to see all the new products and services now available in Franklin Lakes. I urge the residents of Franklin Lakes and the surrounding areas to take advantage of all the wonderful businesses in town. The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce has a long history of providing information, education, and networking events for our members. This will continue in 2013. Our Welcome Bag program is going strong, and the information provided by the mayor’s office is very valuable to new residents. There is no better way for new residents to discover your business than to participate in our Welcome Bag program. We hope to have more informative meetings in 2013. Last year’s series included a presentation by Detective Jost on protecting your business and home from theft. We also look forward to hosting and participating in several multi-chamber events. Last year, we sponsored a multi-chamber event at High Mountain Golf Club that included Chambers from Wyckoff, Ho-Ho-Kus, Waldwick, Midland Park, and Park Ridge. We are also going to have a presence at the Franklin Lakes Town Fair and will provide the transportation for the event as we do every year. The Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce is looking for new volunteers to help us continue the programs we have started. I strongly recommend getting involved with the local Chamber. The people you meet and the information you receive can be invaluable. Please contact me at jallen@allen-allen.com if you are interested in becoming involved with our Chamber. The business community needs the continued support from the residents of Franklin Lakes. Local businesses give back to the communities they serve in a number of ways. Save gas and time and shop in a safe environment…shop locally! To learn more about membership or programs, please e-mail me at jallen@allenallen.com. Jeffrey Allen, President Franklin Lakes Chamber of Commerce