EAST TAWAS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION 

Regular meeting August 4, 2010 

East Tawas City Hall 

 

 

Members present: John Brummeler, CJ Brummeler, Susan Elliott, Melissa McMacken, Mike 
Mooney, Norman Charters, Mark Sterling, Diane Brewer, Roxanne Dietrich-Costea, Joe Cano, Leigh 
Mott, Helen Pasakarnis 

 

Treasurers Report: Starting Balance $4,495.34 

 Monies Received 1,323.36 

 $5,818.70 

 Bill paid out 935.55 

 Current Balance $4,883.15 

 

Review of the July meeting. Helen Pasakarnis had reported on the Port of Call. It is in its final stages 
with investigative tours being done. The need to keep the prime parking spaces for customers and 
guests is emphasized and that employees should use the nearest employee lot. The Pure Michigan ad 
campaigning is going well with internet "clicks" up 200%. 

 

Motion by Diane Brewer to accept the minutes from the last meeting. Seconded by Helen 
Pasakarnis. Motion carried. 

 

Old Business 

. TIFA Report - Helen Pasakarnis 
. Everyone was invited on the fact finding tours 
o Aug. 20 Port to Port to Caseville 
o Aug 28 Bus Tour on the Iosco Birds and Beacons trip 




. DNRE - US -23 Heritage route group is partnering with Sunrise Coast 
with a promotional tour Labor day weekend. ET Harbor Park is one of 
their stops 
. Sunrise Coast website has had a 120% increase in "hits" since last year. 
. Helen is currently taking photos of the ET area and invites others to do 
the same for use on the website. 
. Gary Nelkie would like a banner on his corner. He is willing to purchase 
them using the Corsair and Band Concert logos. 






 

. City of East Tawas 
. Joe Cano came as a council member looking for input regarding UDAG 
funds. The UDAG committee and the City Council is considering using 
UDAG funds for a matching grant program for exterior building 
improvements. $50,000 would be available with $5,000 being the 
maximum that could be granted to a business. 
. Joe also commented on the DNRE putting limitations on hunting in our 
area. He expressed concern of it affecting our tourist hunters this fall. 
Others with concerns should contact the DNRE. 







 

. Tawas Area Chamber 
. Mark Hitchcock was introduced and welcomed as the new chamber 
director. He is coming to Tawas Area from the Midland area. 






 

 

New Business 

 

. CJ Brummeler volunteered to chair a committee and work with Helen Pasakarnis 
regarding establishing one night of "Late Night Hours" through the summer season. 
Their intention is to review what West Branch is currently doing successfully and 
present an update to the membership for the 2011 season. 


 

. Members were encouraged to use and have their employees use the nearest 
employee parking lots. 


 

. Sidewalk Sales were discussed. There appears to be no chairperson for this event. 
The ad for the event would be appearing on the 3rd page of the Shopper. Dates for 
the event are August 12,13 and 14. Hours of 9 - 5. 


 

. Planters and flowers along Newman street were discussed. Mike Mooney 
complimented East Tawas and the flower committee for how good downtown was 
looking. There was discussion on the need for someone to water the baskets and 
how the cost of the person would be met. There was also discussion about adding 
flags to some to the larger pots, and having spare pots for when one dies. 


 

Roxanne Dietrich-Costea motioned to adjourn and it was seconded by Diane Brewer. Motion 
carried. 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted by Susan Elliott