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A publication of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce | July 2015
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Gilroy Chamber of CommerceOFFICERSCHAIR OF THE BOARD LISA FARIA • Coldwell Banker
PAST CHAIR DEBBI SANCHEZ • Fortino Winery
CHAIR OF THE BOARD-ELECT TERRY FEINBERG • Moxxy Marketing
SECRETARY/TREASURER DAVID MATUSZAK, Ed.D.
VC OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT TERRY NEWMAN • Gavilan College
VC PUBLIC AFFAIRS TERRY FEINBERG • Moxxy Marketing
VC BUSINESS PROGRAMS & SERVICES JAY MENCHACA • Menchaca Law Offices
VC MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS CHERYL ELLEMBERG • ABD Promotions
BOARD OF DIRECTORS JASON RABY • Articulate Solutions DAVID JEWELL • Syngenta Flowers ERIC GEBHARDT • Hilton Garden Inn PAM GARCIA • Affordable Solar Roofs GINA LOPEZ • State Farm Insurance
CHAMBER STAFF Mark Turner • President/CEO Michelle Garcia • Administrative Assistant Chris Bevilacqua • Administrative Assistant Sue Thurman • Business Relationship Manager
WELCOME CENTER STAFF Jane Howard • Executive Director Pam Gimenez • Office Manager
EDC STAFF Tammy Brownlow • President/CEO Candace Van Sambeek, Administrative Assistant
FOCUS PRODUCTION STAFF EDITOR • Mark Turner, President/CEO Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
PRODUCTION & DESIGN • J. Chris Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications
PHOTOGRAPHY • Larry Mickartz InfoPOWER Communication
PHOTOGRAPHY • David Ferry David Ferry Photography
7471 Monterey Street • Gilroy, CA 95020 web: gilroy.org e-mail: [email protected] phone: (408) 842-6437
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTINUES to fight the good fight regarding the restrictive sign ordinance the City Council passed last year. Recently the Council voted to modify the ordinance allowing A-frame signs in all the districts throughout the city. A change from what was initially no A-frames anywhere in the city. The Chamber applauds the Council’s willingness to make appropriate changes to ordinances that make for a more friendly business environment within our city. We now hope to see the Council ease the restrictions on the use of banners.
Aren’t Banners an Eyesore?The sign ordinance should be used is to eliminate the possibility of banners remaining in place beyond their lifespan. Regulations can and should be established so that faded, tattered, and torn banners cannot remain in place and create an unpleasant, unprofessional look. Eliminating the use of banners altogether, however, is a burden to local independent stores and some of the franchise restaurants throughout the city.
Isn’t Sales Tax Revenue Up?Although sales tax revenue is up, we should not turn a blind eye to the negative impact the sign ordinance is having on
the local independent and franchise stores who depend on banner advertising simply because the City can point to higher sales tax revenue from industry sectors such as the Outlets and auto dealers. Now that feedback is available from businesses own-ers and operators who have been hit the hardest by the elimination of banners, the Council should be open to this new infor-mation. The business community is looking for pro-business leadership from the Council with regard to the discussion about the banners. Simply allow a discussion with City staff to occur, look at all the facts, and make the right decision on behalf of the hardworking business owners and opera-tors who are investing in this community.
Can We Create a Win-Win? The City Council can give permission to allow the Chamber to begin discussing options with the City staff for an agreement which will allow for a win-win scenario. Surely there is a compromise that can be worked out. It is the obligation of the Chamber, City staff, and the City Council to create the best opportunity for businesses to be successful in our community. Let’s get the discussion started and begin creating an environment that is inviting to more businesses and entrepreneurialism within this City. In doing so, everyone wins.
LISA FARIA2015 Chair of the BoardGilroy Chamber of Commerce
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
THE AMERICAN DREAM is alive and well in Gilroy! In the early 1890’s came a man from Denmark with the dream of the rich, dark California soil. Ole Christopher labored long and hard and purchased his first lot of land. 20 years of adding to the original lot, the Christopher family became one of the largest growers of prunes in the Santa Clara Valley. Don Christopher, Ole’s grandson was not only raised on the ranch but worked alongside his father in the orchards.
In 1956 Don set out to create his own ranch and purchased a plot of land in Gilroy. Don and his brother decided to see if they could be lucky with a new kind of crop – garlic. Through experimentation and much hard work they were able to carve out a unique niche in the produce world of Santa Clara Valley. Along with co-founding the Garlic Festival, Don has lead Gilroy to be the Garlic Capital of the
Garlic and the EntrepreneurWorld and we are blessed to have such a legacy family in our community.
What is it about garlic? Garlic has been regarded as a force for both good and evil. Garlic is used in Europe for protection and white magic. Some Central European (and Gilroy!) folklore consider garlic a powerful ward against vampires, werewolves and demons.
For thousands of years garlic has been used for both food and medicine in many
cultures. It was consumed by ancient Greek and Roman soldiers as a cure all. The first recorded use of garlic was from over 5000 years ago in Egypt. Slaves were regularly given garlic to go with their
MARK TURNERPresident/CEOGilroy Chamber ofCommerce
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO
Chamber Continues Fight for Signage
food ration. Then, one day the ruling class decided to stop supplying garlic to the slaves and the slaves went on strike!
At the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce we are very thankful for the attraction of garlic. Each year we work as a team at the Garlic Festival and through the efforts of you – the members- we are able to offer many member benefits through the proceeds we earn.
My book of the month: Gilroy Garlic Festival – Great Garlic Cook-off – any edition. You can find many of them at the Garlic City Mercantile.
Here is to the Stinking Rose!
Page 2 Gilroy Business Focus I July 2015
…we are very thankful for the attraction of garlic.
