Press Room
Dwyer wins 2010 Abraham Penn Community Award
by Kyle HInkle, BCC Executive Director
Robert “Bob” Dwyer, President and Executive Director of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster, has received the 2010 Abraham Penn Community Award. He was nominated by the Brewster Chamber of Commerce, which has received a $1000 donation from the Penn Foundation as a result.
The Abraham Penn Community Award was established by the Penn family of Puritan Clothing in 1999 on the occasion of the business’ 80th anniversary. Annually since then, each of the chambers of commerce on Cape Cod is invited to submit the name of an individual who exemplifies the principals on which Abraham Penn built the business: excellence in customer and community service. During a press conference at the store in Hyannis, Rick Penn quoted the elder Penn as saying “I may not always make a sale, but I always make a friend.”
According the BCC Executive Director, Kyle Hinkle, Bob was a winning nominee because of his consistent dedication to excellence in service principals. “Under Bob’s quiet leadership, the Museum has gone from near collapse to being a true jewel in the community - financially solvent - attracting 40,000 visitors a year” she said. Bob credits the volunteers, backed up by the staff, for this success. When he took over in 2006 there were 140 volunteers and today there are 270, and staff is now lean with 9 museum professionals. In addition, memberships have increased from 1400 to 1700.
CCMNH donates attendance to schools, and also to charitable organizations working with special needs children and adults from all across Cape Cod. They also donate the use of the grounds and buildings for fund raisers to benefit non-profit organizations, including the Brewster Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to his work life, Bob is true to his personal values of giving back, particularly when young children are involved. “Getting children at a young age is important” he said. To that end, he serves on the Boards of Directors of the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School and the Cape Cod chapter of Boy Scouts of America. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of the Coast Guard Museum, the Barnstable Village Civic Association and the Brewster Chamber of Commerce.
What’s bugging you about the local economic environment?
by BCC Staff
In early December, Chamber members were asked to share their top 3 economic stability concerns. Thanks to everyone who took the time to address this important topic! Here is what some of you said.
SHOP LOCAL: “Shop local” is important, and it was suggested that the Town of Brewster take the lead by encouraging and selecting Brewster contractors FIRST for work the Town needs to have done. Add to this that we need to encourage the production and promotion of top-quality American products.
WATER & ENERGY: Water quality preservation and the costs involved were top of the list for some, along with working cooperatively with neighboring towns to do this. Also, developing and converting to clean, sustainable energy while containing or moderating costs, AND employing as many Brewster residents as possible to install the systems to do this.
TOWN RELATIONS: Several people expressed frustration in dealing with Town of Brewster departments for permits and help, and noted that regulations seem to multiply each year adding more and more restrictions that block success. And they said, fix the complicated, and in some cases contradictory zoning by laws, particularly for signs.
LOCAL TAXES: The push for increases of taxes on meals, rooms, and programs is a concern. It was suggested that the 2% lodging tax increase imposed this year be used to support tourism, which is a major source of tax income for the Town. And, instead of adding new taxes on residents and businesses, reduce costs by cutting unnecessary expenses in Town government, including staff if need be.
EMPLOYEE ISSUES: We need new, decent paying jobs to help keep young people here. At town and state levels, make certain that we pay employees adequately, BUT eliminate patronage appointees, unnecessary jobs whether mandated or not, and require management by example that motivates all state and municipal employees. Then there are ever-rising health care expenses, being able to hire quality staff, temporary and year round housing, ability to pay a “going rate” for the area and economy, retention…the list goes on!!
OTHER CONCERNS:
- Fight decreases in State aid for schools and local government.
- For homeowners insurance, stop classifying the Cape in the same category as Dade County, FL.
- Weather: hurricanes, blizzards, heat, etc.
- We would all benefit by an upgraded internet, phone and cable system.
These results are being shared with Brewster Town officials, as well as being included in a report that aggregates information gathered from all local chambers. This is being presented by the LC3 (Local Cape Chambers Collaborative) to the Barnstable County Economic Development Council and staff of the Cape Cod Commission in mid-January 2011.
