Recent articles and comments in the PNR indicate some points of clarification about the recently established Sidney BIA would be helpful.
1. Owners representing 321 taxable commercial properties and 432 tenant businesses in the Sidney BIA district are eligible to be voting members in the Sidney Business Improvement Area Society (SBIAS). All were recently mailed an invitation to register their memberships online at www.sidneybiz.com.
2. Any voting member in the SBIAS is entitled to:
i) seek a seat on the 11-member Board of Directors;
ii) vote for members to serve on the Board;
iii) attend board meetings to contribute during member participation and observe the meeting (see the website for meeting dates);
iv) vote to approve the annual budget;
v) sit on a BIA Committee.
3. The Sidney BIA Society is a registered Society with a volunteer board of directors. They are diligently working on four tasks:
(i) registering eligible voting members;
(ii) recruiting for a paid communications co-ordinator position; (iii) holding elections for the 11-member board of directors at a special general meeting on Wednesday, May 15, at 6 pm, at the Mary Winspear Centre;
(iv) engaging stakeholders in a multi-stage strategy process; one stage is now open to everyone (members, residents, community group volunteers) – please complete a short survey on the website; a presentation and discussion on the branding and marketing strategy for Sidney will be held on Wednesday, May 15, at 7 p.m. at the Mary Winspear Centre – everyone in the community is welcome.
More information about the Sidney BIA and contact people are available at our temporary website www.sidneybiz.com.
Your Sidney BIA is in its start-up phase and we’re working hard for a more vibrant future in Sidney.
Cliff McNeil-Smith, SBIAS Chair
Sidney