First Posted: 2/27/2015
LIMA — For Jen Nichols, Wake, Rattle and Roll gave her the opportunity to get her foot in the door.
Friday morning, pamphlets, business cards and pens lined the entrance to Veterans Memorial Civic Center, displaying opportunities for connecting with others.
Nichols, a new real estate agent with Schrader Realty LLC in Delphos said many of her clients are from Lima and Van Wert, and she used the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce networking event Friday to get her name out.
Another attendee, Art Caufield, president and owner of FedPro Inc., was also able to connect with other business professionals to learn more about their part in the community, while explaining his role as a business owner.
Though he hasn’t been attending the events regularly, Caufield said he enjoys going.
Former Ohio Rep. Matt Huffman spoke to the longevity of the event, “it’s probably the longest going, longest exceptional business event in Allen County.”
During the event, Huffman, Ohio Rep. Bob Cupp and Mike Caprella, deputy director of Lima’s utilities department, spoke about their experiences in their roles.
Huffman discussed the importance of term limits in the legislature.
“The current term limit situation is really pretty intolerable for people who are really trying to get something done,” he said, encouraging citizens to voice their concerns about current issues to their legislator.
“It means participating in your local government,” Huffman said.
Cupp said many policy issues are creating a “very difficult time” and that Huffman has always helped those concerned.
Through his ability to serve on various committees at the Statehouse, he has been able to address long-term solutions to long-term issues such as unemployment and balancing the state budget, he said.
Caprella said through the many high-profile water main breaks in the city, his crews have been working diligently to repair the issues. This year, Caprella said the department hopes to make an assessment on the water systems to identify the problems.
Eventually, the department will work to address the issues.
“It’s going to be a mess, it’s going to be expensive, and it’s going to cost a lot of money,” Caprella said, but added the repairs will benefit the city.
