Anthem businesses ask for support
MARC BUCKHOUT ~ MANAGING EDITOR ~ 6/30/2010

In efforts to promote Anthem based businesses the Anthem Community Council voted by a 6-1 margin to allow home-based businesses the opportunity to advertise on the community’s website, onlineatanthem.com.
In approving the recommendation of the Communications Committee interested Anthem business owners can have their business listed on the site’s business directory page for a fee of $10 a month, or $120 annually.
The issue sparked discussion on which businesses should have the right to be included in the directory and on the amount to be charged.
The majority opinion centered on the distinction that only what the Home Owners Associations deem “legitimate” home based business should be allowed in the directory.
The HOA defines a legitimate home-based business as one in which a person couldn’t hear, see or smell anything that indicates a business is being run out of the home from the street.
As long as a home owner is current with HOA dues and passes the inspection they would be eligible.
While members of the commercial properties committee, headed by Marc Underwood, were agreeable to adding the home-based businesses in Anthem to the directory they boisterously were in opposition to the idea of opening the directory to other North Valley businesses outside of Anthem.
“I am appalled that we would consider using a community asset, such as onlineatanthem.com, that we as local business owners pay dues to support, to help bring non-Anthem businesses in here to advertise. We don’t need more business competition. That would be a travesty.”
Although board member Craig Boates said he envisioned Anthem, “becoming the economic hub for the entire area, a center for the North Valley community,” and Bob Copen explained that, “Anthem needs to support the North Valley in order for us to expand over the next 5, 10, 15 years,” calling it a proactive way to go, the Anthem business community was in stern opposition to the idea.
“The community motto is live, play and work in Anthem,” Jacqueline Roesma said. “We as the business owners pay $300,000 in dues. I pay $8,000 in commercial real estate taxes. Why would we as a community advertise businesses outside of Anthem?”
Parkside HOA President Kristen Rensmeyer couldn’t see the logic of inviting the rest of the region
to advertise online.
“Anthem is a remote area to start a business,” she said. “The population numbers aren’t that great. Our council needs to be supportive of the people that are willing to take the risk to be a part of this community.”