Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a Meet the Candidates Night from 6 p.m. 8 p.m. March 25 at the Syracuse Community Center. Board members looked at the invitations for primary candidates during the chamber’s meeting, March 5.

The event will be an informal meeting, allowing voters in Kosciusko County the opportunity to meet and ask candidates questions regarding their positions. At the beginning of the session, candidates will receive a set amount of time to introduce themselves to the audience.

Previously, the chamber received a grant from AT&T to put on such an event. They will be using that money to provide finger foods and other refreshments, supplied by the Sleepy Owl.

Other future events were mentioned during the meeting as well. Events task force chair Chad Jonsson stated a New Year’s Eve event is being planned to include a ball drop. Additionally, the task force is working with Jordan Swain to organize a small boat race, to be called the Syracuse Regatta. Swain has already received DNR permits for the race scheduled May 10-11.

Chamber Executive Director Tammy Cotton also challenged area businesses during the meeting to get involved in Wawasee High School’s Pow Wow March 21. She noted the school is looking for donations, such as small prizes to hand out to students. As a donation idea, she noted, a business had donated pop for students last year.

Chamber growth continues to soar with board members approving seven new members: Blue Barn Berry Farm, Syracuse; Kosciusko County Tobacco Free Coalition, Warsaw; MedStat, Syracuse; FOE 3760 Lakeland Eagles, Syracuse; Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Syracuse; Destiny Rescue USA, Syracuse; and Old Leesburg Mill Mercantile, Leesburg.

Membership renewals continue to come in with membership task force chair Beth Kroes stating the rate had exceeded her expectations. The membership directory as a result will have four added pages. Chamber membership is now at 222.

In other chamber news:

• Board members again discussed Jeff Stillson’s proposal for art sculptures — similar to Nappanee’s apples — to be displayed throughout Syracuse by businesses who choose to participate. Cotton will reach out to chamber members to gather their feedback on the proposal.
• Work continues on getting an young entrepreneur group underway. Board member Tricia Small will serve as a liaison between the board and the group, which will hold some of its own events.
• The chamber will be forming a bylaw committee to clarify its existing bylaws by removing conflicting and repetitive sections. A nominating committee will also be formed to help fill vacancies at the end of 2014 when several board members’ terms end.
• Taste of Syracuse will occur Sept. 27, at the Syracuse Community Center. Eight participant restaurants —yet to be decided— will exhibit during the event.

Next board meeting will be at noon April 2 in the chamber office.