An enthusiastic turnout of more than 66 village business owners and representatives gathered at a luncheon meeting to lay the groundwork for the formation of the Pinecrest Business Association.

Brett Panter, a partner in the Pinecrest law firm of Panter and Panter, told the gathering at the Anacapri Restaurant that there were no parameters to follow for the formation of the Association.

"There are no hard and fast rules, we can make it (the Pinecrest Business Association) whatever we want," Panter said. "One of the things we’ve discussed is to have a voice. Really, there is no voice for the Pinecrest business community. This will give us a voice."

Panter called the meeting "the birth" of the Pinecrest Business Association and urged those in attendance to fill out the questionnaires they had received by mail and to return them promptly.

"There are all kinds of things we can do and directions we can go," said Panter. "We could maybe send a representative to the Pinecrest Village Council meetings and become involved in civic happenings in the community. It’s wide open."

Reaction from those attending the meeting was generally positive, with many saying that the formation of such an association was long overdue.

"I support Pinecrest and I like the way that it became a city," said Charlotte Besecker-Kassab, vice president of 1st Choice Mortgage, "but the impact on business was really confusing. I’m very glad to see that businesses in Pinecrest are going to have a voice and act collectively in raising our concerns. Hopefully, it will make some of the bureaucracy more sensitive the needs of business."

"Maybe we’ll be able to play more of a role in the rules that are promulgated by the Village Council," she continued. "I’m really glad that the people who did this took the initiative."

Susan Davis, broker-general manager of Century 21 Dadeco International, said she thought the luncheon represented a positive step for the Pinecrest business community.

"I think it’s an opportunity for us as business owners in the Pinecrest area to join together and have a voice heard for specific needs within the village," said Davis. "It also sounds like this could be the beginning of a Village of Pinecrest Chamber of Commerce."

At the same time, Nancy Ware, president of Trim Line Design Center, said the prospect of a Pinecrest Business Association was an exciting concept.

"I was very encouraged to see so many people turn out for the luncheon," said Ware, "and I know that there are many more who support the formation of an association. And, I’m going to help in recruiting more members and target other small businesses."

Ware said she immediately returned her questionnaire and would, if asked, be pleased to stand for an office in the new organization.