A Word from NCI's Executive Director, Rebecca Zoll

North County Incorporated, Regional Development Association, is pleased to bring you our newest benefit for members, the NCI ENews. Each month we will bring you news about NCI, events that are being hosted by us and our membership, as well as, other items of interest to help keep you posted on what is going on with the communities, businesses, chambers, schools and others around North St. Louis County. We hope that you enjoy it and please feel free to share it with your friends and colleagues.

North County's 2008 30 Leaders in their 30s. Photo provided by David Kennedy, North County Journal

This past month North County Incorporated, along with the North County Journals and News 20, hosted the second NCI Salutes 30 Leaders in their 30s reception. This event, held at Norwood Hills Country Club, honored North St. Louis County's young business and government professionals and community volunteers who are excelling in their profession and making a difference in North County. For more information please see the article in the North County Journal or watch News 20 for a broadcast of the reception.

The North County Inc. Board of Directors has endorsed Proposition H and Proposition M.

Proposition M is the proposed half-cent sales tax increase in St. Louis County would help fund Metro operations and future expansions. Metro is a critical asset to economic growth and sustainability. If Prop M fails, Metro's plan is to reduce 28 of its 60 existing bus routes (many of these routes are in North County), including all service west of I-270. Metro could eliminate all express routes and night service in two years, if new revenue is not found. The increased sales tax will cost the average St. Louis County family 14 cents a day.

The NCI Board has also endorsed Proposition H, a St. Louis County 1.85% use tax, that would help fund a metro wide communications system for public safety providers to easily communicate with each other in disaster situations. The proposed increase is for the purposes of enhancing county and municipal public safety, parks, and job creation, and enhancing local government services. A use tax is the equivalent of a sales tax on purchases from out-of-state sellers by in-state buyers and on certain taxable business transactions. A use tax return shall not be required to be filed by persons whose purchases from out-of-state vendors do not in total exceed two thousand dollars in any calendar year.

Please remember to vote on November 4.                                                             

Rotary Club of Florissant presents Trilogy for Charity: Fashion Show October 11; 11:30 a.m. (Lunch & Fashion Show with Silent Auction); Bob Kuban Dance October 17; 7 – 11 p.m. (1 free house drink and dancing), $30; and Charity Dinner Auction October 24; 6:00 – 10:30 p.m., $75 per person (includes open bar and dinner). All to be held at Yacovelli’s Restaurant. Proceeds benefit local charities. Contact Florissant Rotary Club 314-921-2917.

The Pattonville School District Education Foundation will host its Ninth Annual Golf Classic on Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Crystal Springs Quarry Golf Course in Maryland Heights. Proceeds from the tournament will be used to fund innovative programs in Pattonville classrooms through grants awarded to Pattonville staff. Registration begins at noon, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The entry fee is $80 per player. The fee includes a golf cart, greens fees, 18 holes of golf, lunch, four drink tickets and dinner. Registration and sponsorship forms may be obtained by calling (314) 213-8025.

The St. Louis County Department of Planning is hosting a workshop for subdivision trustees on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at the World Trade Center, 121 S. Meramec Avenue, Clayton, MO 63105. The workshop will be free (including parking) to the public. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. More details available online at: http://www.stlouisco.com/plan/trusteeresourcecenter/index.html.

Certificate in Leadership Skills Development - Become a Leader in '09 who is better equipped to handle workplace challenges with solid knowledge, tools and resources. The Center for Business, Industry & Labor's Certificate in Leadership Skills Development is presented in five dynamic, skill-based modules that help build both depth and breadth in your abilities to engage and lead people. Located at Florissant Valley Community College, training will be from 8 a.m. to noon for each course. For more information click here or call Kathie Chambers at 314-539-5309.

Florissant Ambassadors are cleaning up Coldwater Creek on Saturday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. They will meet at the old St. Ferdinand Shrine School house at 8:30 a.m. Contact Jim Hessel for questions or to volunteer call (314) 277-0871. Click here for more info