• 15 Sept B2B Networking at The Demo Room
• Parnell Inc now a Business Improvement District
• Parnell Festival of Roses 2009
• Pen-selling fraudster now going door to door
• Heritage Festival activities in Parnell
• New building planned at Real Estate Institute
• Rugby World Cup Business Opprtunities
• More events on in Parnell

Parnell Inc. now a B.I.D
Business Improvement District adoption approved

Parnell Inc members voted for the association to adopt Council's Business Improvement District (BID) Policy at last Tuesday's AGM. Parnell Inc now joins a growing number of Auckland business associations that have upgraded from Mainstreet to BID status, including Newmarket and Remuera.

The BID policy requires a greater focus on business development within an area, and less of the Mainstreet emphasis on retail. Of Parnell Inc's approximately 450 business members, 55% are non-retail commercial and business services. (The wide range of non-retail businesses in Parnell can be seen on the Parnell Business Directory .) The policy also demands greater accountability to members by way of reporting on key performance indicators. A copy of the BID policy is available online.

Parnell Inc's new committee
Also at the AGM, the nine members who had put themselves forward for the executive committee were accepted. Together with our wonderfully active Hobson Community Board representative, Hinu te Hau, and Council representative, Cr Ken Baguley, they represent an excellent resource to steer Parnell Inc over the course of the next 12 months.

Returning to the committee are:
Carrick Graham, CGL Group Public Relations
Sarah Hutchings, Orsini Fine Jewellery
Rory Macdonald, MacDonald Pilcher
Athol McQuilkan, Kilberry Associates
Sherryn Mehta, Mink Café

New committee members are:
Simon Glasgow, Mövenpick
Miles Nathan, Nathan Investment Group
Christopher Swasbrook, Elevation Capital Management
Nick Travaglia, Self Assured Insurances

Three members stepped down from the committee this year. Shona Loxton, owner of Galtons of Parnell resigned after seven years on the committee, including a year as Chair and Cyril Dominkovich, owner of Parnell Real Estate, resigned after five years. Both Shona and Cyril have played an invaluable role, offering valued perspectives and ideas to help improve the business area and giving a great deal of time to the association over these years. Their involvement and passion for Parnell is truly appreciated.

Thanks too to Sue Wyness of Macky Roberton, who steps down after a year on the committee; to Rory MacDonald for his role as Chair of the previous committee; to Sarah Hutchings as Treasurer and to the other returning committee members, for their continued involvement and enthusiasm for Parnell. (The new committee will determine positions of Chair and Treasurer at its first meeting.)

Parnell Festival of Roses 2009
Featuring Parnell Road Market Day, 31st October

Council plans for the Parnell Festival of Roses are well underway with a terrific line up of activities and performances at the Gladstone Road Rose Gardens including a Shona Laing concert, open-air movie "La Vie en Rose", tea dances and possibly an antiques road-show.

Parnell Inc. will also be organising the now-traditional Market Day for Saturday 31 October. So, retailers, start thinking about what you might like to put on sale - or buy in specially for the event! We'll be taking orders for roses and trestle tables in mid-October. Meantime, if you have any queries, please email info@parnell.net.nz

Pen-selling fraudster back in Parnell
Little money goes to charity

John Peters has been back in Parnell this week selling pens for the Disabled Children's Trust. As reported in the media previously and in Wednesday's East & Bays Courier, only $5 from each $20 pen goes to the charity. (Peters may have dropped the price of pens to $10 this week in Parnell.)

This time, to avoid the Council permit needed for soliciting on the street (which Council would doubtless not give him), he has been going door to door, which doesn't require a permit. We'd again recommend turning Peters away, and quickly - his modus operandi may have changed, but more of your money could get to a charity if you gave it elsewhere!

More street action: Hare Krishnas in Parnell!
Last Friday afternoon a Hare Krishna squad did a surprise circuit of Parnell chanting that same old tune. Under Council bylaws they are permitted to chant away, however they cannot "solicit" for their cause by approaching passersby - interested members of the public must approach them to engage in "direct dialog".