Clarence Chamber of Commerce to hold a legislative breakfast

CLARENCE - The Clarence Chamber of Commerce is giving the community the opportunity to ask local, county, state and federal elected representatives the questions that they want to ask at the Legislative Breakfast. The Legislative Breakfast is open to the public and invites anyone to come get the answers that they are looking for.

“We’re a business group however that doesn’t mean that we can’t represent our community,” said Chamber President, Judy Sirianni, “There are a lot of people that don’t have businesses but have questions about their homes. They want to know what’s going to be going on down the road.”

It will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8 and will be held at the WBBZ-TV studio in the Eastern Hills Mall. The cost is $5 per person and reservations are required.

This breakfast will “give you an opportunity to ask those important questions that are out there and get to know your elected officials,” said Sirianni.

The event will begin with a continental breakfast sponsored by Dash’s Markets and will continue with the presentation of the colors by American Legion Post 838 at 9 a.m. Shortly after this, the elected officials will go right into answering questions.

There will be cards for guests to fill out in writing with their question. The cards will then be given to a moderator and passed to a facilitator who will then ask the elected officials their question.

“In order for people to understand something about the government, you have to bring it to them because often people are too shy,” said Sirianni. “But for $5, people can come out have a breakfast and have questions answered that they haven’t been able to find answers to.”

The government officials that will be attending the breakfast and will be ready to answer questions will be Congresswoman Kathy Hochul, Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, Deputy County Executive Richard Tobe, Erie County Clerk Christopher Jacobs, County of Erie Legislator Edward Rath, Town of Clarence Supervisor David Hartzell Jr. and Clarence Superintendent of School Geoffrey Hicks.

This will be the fourth year the breakfast has taken place but the location for the event has changed this year. Although the breakfast has been held at the library in the past, this year it’s at the WBBZ-TV studio. The station will be recording the event and broadcasting it on television for those who weren’t able to attend. Last year the breakfast attracted about 75 guests and the attendance has grown each year.

“There are a lot of areas that have these but don’t get the turnout that we get,” said Sirianni.

The breakfast will continue until 10 a.m. with the elected officials answering as many questions as they can. If some questions aren’t answered, guests will have the opportunity to follow up.

To make your reservations, call the Clarence Chamber of Commerce, 631-3888.