Plumsted hires new Main Street director

Committee approves Sharon Gano as new director (Dec.15)

By: Marisa Maldonado
   PLUMSTED — A volunteer for the township’s Main Street USA program was hired this week as its director, several months after the former director resigned because she thought the program suffered from a lack of community input.
   Sharon Gano, a member of the program’s Promotions Committee, was unanimously approved at Monday’s Township Committee meeting as director of Main Street USA, a state-run program intended to help revitalize downtown communities.
   The three-year resident of Plumsted, who owns her own Web development business called eStreet Designs, said she hopes to use her skills in the Internet and graphic design to help businesses develop effective marketing.
   "Oftentimes your (printing) costs are higher because you have to have your printer do designs for you," Ms. Gano said. "If I can give at least that portion (of my skills) to my sponsors and merchants for free, hopefully that will reduce their costs."
   The program’s former director, Ileen DePasquale, cited a lack of community input as a reason for the program’s downfall when she resigned in August. Several of the program’s committees had dissolved, and several of the program’s half-dozen or so board members had resigned by the time Ms. DePasquale left the program.
   "I would love to have any of those previous members back," Ms. Gano said. "There is an open invitation, to not only new members but previous members of the organization."
   Ms. Gano said having a director for the program, which the township started three years ago, will solidify the program’s place in the community. Soliciting members for the Main Street board as well as its committees will be a priority during her first days in the position, she said.
   Her salary, as approved by the Township Committee Monday night, will range from $30,000 to $38,000 a year.
   The committee expressed confidence in the abilities of Ms. Gano, who was hired from an initial pool of six applicants. Ms. Gano has the energy to turn the Main Street program around, Committeewoman Bonnie Quesnel said at Monday’s meeting.
   "She’s a ball of fire," Ms. Quesnel said. "We’re going to see a lot of changes next year."
   All Main Street businesses will have free access to Main Street USA’s resources, which also will include access to their own Web site linked through Main Street’s main Web page.
   Businesses in other areas of the township can use Main Street USA’s services through a sponsorship program, through which businesses could become members of Main Street through donating volunteer hours or money.
   Ms. Gano will work with the Neighborhood Preservation Program, a recently created program designed to clean up the downtown area, in revitalizing the town.
   Vicki Berlenbach, director of the NPP, said Ms. Gano’s ability to work with others and experience as a self-employed businesswoman should ensure her success as a director.
   "She’s a people person," Ms. Berlenbach said. "(The director) needs to be able to work with others."
   In addition to working individually with business owners, Ms. Gano also plans to prioritize publicizing the town’s business community. She plans to hold several events to attract shoppers, including a free concert for children at the Welcome Center at 31 Main St. on Dec. 21, featuring musician Bob "Guitar Bob" Messano.
   The concert, which will start at 6:30 p.m., will give parents a chance to shop at local businesses while their children are supervised, Ms. Gano said. Even if the adults don’t shop, the concert would give them a chance to see the area, she said.
   "The people who come down and participate have a better view of our town," Ms. Gano said. "They feel good about it, and they come back later."
   Such proactive action is important in the success of the business community, Ms. Gano said, particularly when seeking out the resources offered by the state’s Main Street USA program. Such services, which include tax training and help with front door displays, will not be handed to the township on a silver platter, she said.
   "They don’t call you up and tell you, ‘We’ve got all these resources,’" Ms. Gano said. "I have to go get them."