I have had the distinct pleasure of operating as the chairman to the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2003. This has been both a professionally and personally rewarding endeavor and I want to thank all those who have made this a memorable year for my family and me.

The staff at the city of Sunnyvale has consistently gone above and beyond to keep the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce informed about the important issues impacting our members. They have involved our members and our board in many city outreach efforts.

While I have learned that operating a city the size of Sunnyvale is a daunting task, each and every employee from the city manager to our part-time, summer youth employees go to work everyday to make our city a better place.

A very special thank you to all 11 city council members with which I had the opportunity to interact. Our four departed members served our city during some of our best and worst times in a consistently professional manner. Our current council has a difficult budget process in 2004 but I know they are all up to the task.

While I agreed to disagree with all 11 on some issues throughout the year, I hold them all in great respect for the time commitment and effort they give to our citizens on a daily basis.

I have daily opportunities to interact with our more than 700 members of the chamber, my board of directors and our enthusiastic staff. Each interaction is filled with valuable insight and passion for the business opportunities in Sunnyvale.

Finally, and most importantly, I thank my 131,000 neighbors in Sunnyvale for continuing to shop and do business in Sunnyvale with our members.

Michael E. Klein

Outgoing board president of Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce

In the Jan. 14 Sun we should have stated that the council's Dec. 16 vote in favor of allowing the SaberCats to keep their practice tent was 6 to 1.