Branscum Construction is celebrating their 36th year as a company. It was started by Paul Branscum, father of Steve and grandfather of Josh. Their corporate office is in Russell Springs. Over the 36 years, the company has grown from being regional to a state wide company. In 2005 they started Branscum Construction Company, Inc. South in Destin, Florida and today they work in 14 states. A lot of folks are unaware that in 1990 Branscum Construction started Precision Steel Erection Company. This company works across the United States.

Despite their growth, their home area and roots always have been and will continue to be here in South Central Kentucky. This is our home; our associates come from Russell, Adair, Green, Taylor, Pulaski, Metcalfe, etc.

We were doing some research on our Adair County Projects and found that during our 36 years we had constructed 32 projects in Adair County...almost one per year. You may have driven by some of our projects and may not have known it was a Branscum Construction Company, Inc. project.

We are proud to be a member of the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce and look forward to working with all of you for the next 36 plus years as we continue to grow Adair County. Be sure to stay around until the end of the meeting for the door prize drawing of two University of Kentucky basketball tickets.

The lucky winner of the two UK basketball tickets was Lisa Fisher Clarke of WAIN Radio Station. Congratulations Lisa...We all know you are a true blue fan!

*Note: If you would like a list of the Adair County projects done by Branscum Construction, stop by the Chamber office and pick up a copy.

A Special Thank You to Duo County

The Chamber would like to say a special "Thank You" to Duo County for hosting the Chamber Website free of charge. Without the support of community businesses, there would be no Chamber of Commerce. Eric West, Director of Marketing is truly an asset.

To the Chamber Board of Directors and his efforts are deeply appreciated.

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Welcome New Member

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The Chamber is extremely happy to Welcome "Elizabeth Lodge Apartments" as a new member. The brand new 2 bedroom apartments are centrally located and affordable at 50 Elizabeth Drive (off Greenhills Road) in Columbia. The Homeland, Inc. Site Manager is Belynda Williams and can be reached at 384-1231. You may also visit their website at www.homelandinc.com

The Chamber welcomes this new business to our Community

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Look What's Happening in Adair County

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It's a busy fall for the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as they are sponsoring the following events. Any chamber member wishing to be involved with the events should call the event Chairman or the Chamber office. It takes a lot of people working together to make the events successful. Your help is needed!

Treats On The Town

Treats on the Town, a Halloween event for children will be held Wednesday, October 31 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on the public square. All businesses are encouraged to come to the "Square", set up a table and hand out treats to the children. This is a fun night for the children and their parents.

Ronald McDonald House

Donating items to the Ronald McDonald Houses in Lexington and Louisville has become an Adair County tradition. The collection date is Thursday, November 15, from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at the Chamber of Commerce Building, 201 Burkesville Street. A "Wish List" of items needed by the Ronald McDonald houses is available at the Chamber of Commerce office. Items may be brought to the Chamber office prior to the event. Pam Hancock is chairman of the event, with Ellen Zornes as co-chairman and Norma Scott as an assistant. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this project. Many Adair Countains have used the services of the Ronald McDonald House. This is on way the County can show their appreciation by donation items needed for the Houses.

Christmas In Columbia

Plans are underway for the annual Christmas In Columbia scheduled for the first week-end in December. Chairman Debbie Selby and committees are working hard to make this year's event outstanding. The theme of the "Parade Under The Lights" will be "An Old Fashioned Christmas". Churches and organizations are encouraged to enter a float. All entries must be registered at the Chamber of Commerce office by calling 384-6020 or visiting the office at 201 Burkesville St. A special event for children will be the "Christmas Carnival" to be held at the Lindsey Wilson College Health & Wellness Center. Joel Peterson is the Chairman.

Chamber Christmas Gathering

Chamber members are encouraged to mark the date of Monday, December 10 on their calendar for the Christmas Gathering to be held at William T's Dining, The Pines at Lindsey Wilson, 275 Country Club Road. It's a time to enjoy good food, install new Chamber officers/directors and fellowship with Chamber members. Cost is $5.00 per person. Tickets must be purchased at the Chamber office not later than noon Thursday, December 8th. Corporate Sponsor for the event will be Lindsey Wilson College.

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New Chamber Ornament Available

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This is the 4th year that the Chamber has an "ornament" available. The 2012 ornament is the "Begley Chapel" at Lindsey Wilson College and is on sale at the Chamber of Commerce office. The ornaments are beautiful and make a perfect Christmas gift. They are also a perfect stocking stuffer if you have a son/daughter/grandchild or friend who is a Lindsey graduate or a student attending LWC or perhaps you are someone who appreciates the Chapel being in Columbia and Adair County



Also available are some ornaments of the past years.

• 2009 - Courthouse Clock Tower
• 2010 - Adair County Courthouse
• 2011 - Columbia-Union Presbyterian Church

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Your Chamber of Commerce Works for Your Business Everyday

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You've got a business to run. Whether it's a small service business, large manufacturer or somewhere in between, making it through uncertain economic times is taking all your energy and resources.

But more than 70 percent of legislation that affects Kentucky businesses is passed at the state level, and that's too important to ignore. That's where your Chamber of Commerce membership dues comes in: Immediately after the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce was organized they became a member of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce June 1, 1950 and have been a member since that time.

When your business became a member of our local Chamber of Commerce, you got a seat at the table through the Kentucky Chamber lobbying team and policy councils, so you could get back to work knowing your interests were being represented.

During the 2012 General Assembly alone, the Chamber's advocacy efforts saved the Kentucky business community an estimated $704.1 million per year. (see chart below)

Legislation

Sue Stivers, your Chamber Executive Director is called to come to Frankfort often during the Legislative sessions to unite with the State Chamber in working with legislators on legislative issues that affects every business in Adair County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Many house bills are defeated due to the efforts of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and your local Chamber which saves our businesses many dollars.

Local Chamber membership is extremely important. With you help, we can achieve better bottom lines for our State's business community, which leads to a thriving economy for all Kentuckians. If you are the owner of a business and not a chamber member, you are encouraged to join the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce. If you are an individual who would like to invest in your community, you are encouraged to become a Chamber member. Visit the Chamber office, located 201 Burkesville Street or call 384-6020. Your membership helps to make Columbia-Adair County a great place to call home, work and play.

Proposed Amendment To The Kentucky Constitution

Personal Right To Hunt And Fish

On November 6, 2012 Kentucky's voters will be asked whether to amend the state Constitution to specifically provide citizens of Kentucky with the personal right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife.

The following question will appear on the ballot:

Constitutional Amendment

Are you in favor of amending the Kentucky Constitution to state that the citizens of Kentucky have the personal right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, subject to laws and regulations that promote conservation and preserve the future of hunting and fishing, and to state that public hunting and fishing shall be a preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife?

Constitutional Changes Proposed By The Amendment

The proposed amendment would add a new section to the Constitution of Kentucky that would specifically provide Kentucky citizens the personal right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife, using traditional methods, subject only to laws enacted by the legislature and to administrative regulations that promote wildlife conservation and management and preserve the future of hunting and fishing. The proposed amendment also would designate public hunting and fishing as the preferred means of managing and controlling wildlife. The proposed amendment would not change any law relating to trespass, property rights or the regulation of commercial activities. If the proposed amendment is approved by the voters it will take effect immediately.

Brief History

Hunting and fishing were so integral to the survival of many of the country's founders that the freedom to pursue these activities was likely presumed. Consequently, Vermont is believed to be the only state to have included a constitutional protection for hunting and fishing in its original state constitution adopted in 1777. However, years of unregulated hunting and fishing led to wildlife protections and conservation laws. Kentucky established what was to become the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources in 1912. Its Primary duty is to protect and conserve wildlife to ensure a permanent supply of wildlife resources for sport and recreation.

In more recent years, proponents of hunting and fishing have come to believe that a threat to hunting and fishing exists, primarily from groups proposing limits or outright bans on taking certain animals or fish and that state laws do not adequately preserve the historical right to hunt and fish. Since 1996, 12 states have joined Vermont in providing in their state constitutions the right to hunt and fish. These states are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. This year, voters in Kentucky will join voters in Idaho, Nebraska, and Wyoming in voting on the question of whether a right to hunt and fish should be added to their state constitutions.

The amendment will be near the bottom of the ballot. Make a special effort to vote on the amendment.

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Smartphone Tips- During National Protect Your Identity Week

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National Protect Your Identity Week is October 20-27, 2012. The Better Business Bureau and other organizations are working together to encourage consumers and business owners across the country to fight identity theft! This year's theme is "ID Theft Protection on the Go". We all love our smart phones, but with the convenience of them, comes the opportunity for thieves to help themselves to our personal information. A Smartphone is a mobile device with enhance capabilities. Many of these functions are similar to those found on a PC. Sometimes the information carried and transmitted through the device is highly desired for use by identity thieves.

Risks when using a Smartphone:

• Phones are easily lost or stolen.
• These mobile devices are associated with and linked to a particular user for billing and account purposes. This association is taken a step further when GPS is enabled on a device.
• Increased mobility means increased exposure. Moving in and out of Wi-Fi service areas means moving in and out of firewalls and secure hotspots.
• Some applications used on Smartphone's are unsafe. Some can actually enable "phishing" of other malicious attacks.

How to protect yourself and your personal information:

• Password-protect your phone. This is the simplest step you can take to prevent your information from being accessed. Make sure it is a strong password.
• Install Anti-Virus Software. There are a number of companies which offer anti-virus, malware and security software designed especially for Smartphone's.
• Be aware of what you are doing on your phone. The same precautions you would take while on your home computer apply to your Smartphone. Double check URLs for accuracy, don't open suspicious links, and make sure a site is secure (https) before giving any billing or personal information.
• Read the fine print before you install an app on your phone. Evaluate the information the app requires access to. If you cannot see a reason for the app to have access to the information, you should reconsider installing the app.
• Install a "lost phone" or "phone finder" app. These apps help you find your phone if it becomes lost or stolen.
• Enroll in a backup/wiping program. You can enroll in a program that will back up the information you have on your Smartphone to your home computer. Many of these services are also able to "wipe" your phone if it is lost or stolen so that no data remains on the device itself. These services are available through your Smartphone's Manufacturer or through your wireless provider. iPhones have a built-in "wipe" feature that can be turned on that will wipe the phone after 10 failed log-on attempts. Contact the administrator of your program and have them "wipe" your phone.
For more consumer tips, go to www.bbb.org or call -800-388-2222

This story was posted on 2012-10-24 10:09:23

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