Albany County Executive Mike Breslin updated two local chambers of commerce about alternative health care and a $20 million budget gap at a morning mixer on Friday, July 31.
Members of the Guilderland and Bethlehem Chambers Commerce met at Mangia restaurant on New Scotland Road Friday morning to exchange ideas, business cards and listen to Breslin discuss county affairs.
The event was organized by Melody Burns, a radio show host, idea practitioner and Republican Party chair in the Town of Bethlehem. She said she has been organizing mixers for the past 18 months, but each time has a different sponsor. Kathy Burbank with the Guilderland Chamber and Marty
DeLaney with the Bethlehem Chamber took the reigns for this event.
The best way to do business is get businesses together, Burns said. `The idea is to make the event so the business people get something out of it.`
DeLaney said in order for the business community to thrive, they must communicate.
`It’s important for the chambers to work together more,` she said. `We want to do more.`
DeLaney said the Guilderland and Bethlehem Chambers have so much in common, like size and composition, that it makes sense for them to work together.
She said it was good to have Breslin on hand as well, and hearing his address provides the local community with useful information.
`People should understand what the county executive does-what he has to deal with,` she said.
Breslin was invited to help inform local businesses of what was going on in the county.
He spoke largely about an issue he said he is very passionate about-health care.
`It goes beyond medical,` Breslin said. `If we’re going to honor choice, independence and dignity, then we have to reach out and give people what they want.`
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