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A publication of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce | October 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 • Simmitri, Inc. 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
LISA FARIA2015 Chair of the BoardGilroy Chamber of Commerce
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
WHAT IS PATRIOTISM? Is it a noun? If so, it means the love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it. You are considered full of patriotism when you are full of love for your country. We have patriotic parades on Independence Day and Memorial Day. We proudly wave the red, white and blue.
When I attend the Fourth of July parade in Morgan Hill, I am filled with nostalgia as I spent my teen and young adult years in Morgan Hill and thought the parade and festivities were amazing. When I visit now, I am so happy this tradition is being passed on to the next generation.
Gilroy has a fantastic Memorial Day parade. I know there is vision for this parade to be as expansive as the Independence Day parade. I believe the people of Gilroy can host a top rated Memorial Day parade and festivities and
Patriotism – Alive and Well in Gilroyas a result, people will come from all around to attend.
But there is another amazing patriotic activity hosted by the Gilroy Chamber and it is called Wreaths Across America. If you were unable to attend last year – you missed out. It was by far one of the most incredible patriotic events I have ever attended.
Many volunteers gathered at Gavilan Hills and St. Mary’s Cemeteries in Gilroy and Mt. Hope in Morgan Hill to lay wreaths on each of the Veterans’ graves who are buried there. This year the event will be on Saturday, December 12 at 9 am – mark your calendar.
It is such an honor to participate and we can only hope a comfort for the families of these brave men and women who have served our country. There are approximately
1,100 Veterans buried in South County and the goal is to place a live wreath at each of their gravesites. To help us achieve this goal, you can visit Gilroy.org, click on the Wreaths Across America logo and sponsor a wreath. Last year, many families sponsored 2 or more wreaths.
After a brief address by selected dig-nitaries, volunteers spread out and lay wreaths at pre-marked headstones. To end the ceremony, a bugler plays taps which echoes throughout graveyard. The cemetery is then a patriotic canvas of respect for the soldiers and our country. I look forward to seeing you there!
MARK TURNERPresident/CEOGilroy Chamber ofCommerce
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO
So, Here’s What I’m ThinkingA recent article in the Business Journal indicated a new study from the San Francisco-based Pacific Research Institute ranked the regulatory climate for small businesses in California the worst out of 50 states. It’s no surprise when you read through the outrageous legislation that continues to pour out of Sacramento. Small business owners can take respite in knowing the State’s legislative session for 2015 has closed, however, bad bills that failed to be defeated in session now sit on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature. Unless there is a paradigm shift in the thought process of our representatives, each new year will bring new laws and regulations ensuring California’s last place ranking for years to come.
So, here’s what I’m thinking. Know the Facts before Rushing to Pass LegislationIn typical fashion, legislators rush to pass laws to address problems that may or may not exist, therefore, strapping the business community with burdensome laws that only stifle entrepreneurism and forcing business-es to decide whether or not California is worth the continued investment. Legislators need to do their homework and understand the far reaching effect their bills have on the business community. What they believe fixes a problem often creates 5 more oppressive problems for business owners. Hundreds of laws go into effect every year. Many of them duplicates of laws that already exist. Like parents who require their children to give up two toys for every new toy their child receives, legislators should be required to remove two laws from the books for every new law they pass. This would help them to write the best possible law and prioritize what’s really important.
individuals to propose bills and pass legislation, they will do just that. Quantity, not quality, becomes the priority.
Running their own business or working for an employer would help legislators know what it’s like to operate a business under the laws they pass. This approach would help legislators think through legislation in a way that is more reasonable to the consumer and the entrepreneur. Legislation that promotes an environment where small businesses can get started, develop, and grow is what’s needed.
Part-time politicians would not only make for better legislators but better legislation as well.
Build in a Safety Net Protecting Business Owners from Frivolous Law SuitsWhile it’s important to have laws protecting the consumer, it’s also important to protect small business owners from unscrupulous lawyers who prey on the innocent hard-working individuals attempting to make ends meet. According to Forbes, over half the U.S. working population work in a small business. Bills should have a “proba-tion period” whereupon, after a 6 – 12 month period the new law is reviewed, revamped, and re-written, if need be, in order to ensure the best possible outcome for the consumer and business owners. Loopholes that allow unprincipled lawyers to take advantage of small businesses should be removed and said lawyers should be fined and debarred.
Politicians should be Part-Time LegislatorsWhen it becomes the full-time job of
Page 2 Gilroy Business Focus I October 2015
A-Jays Cheese Steaks1340 First Street, Ste. E • Gilroy (408) 427-8888Restaurants
Alan LaddGilroy – (408) 842-4987Individual
BKW EnterprisesWatsonville – (831) 421-0277Video Production & Marketing
BPS Plumbing, Co.Gilroy – (408) 205-9720Organizations
El Taco FelizSan Martin – (408) 706-6596Catering / Food Truck
Fifth Street Coffee7501 Monterey Street • Gilroy(408) 337-5685Coffee House
Gavilan Employers Advisory CouncilGilroy – (408) 465-8343Business Services
September Raffle ThanksNo Mixer this month because of Tradeshow
Breakfast Club Gilroy Chamber AmbassadorsGavilan Employer Advisory CouncilMichele Campbell InsuranceJoyce’s CollectablesGarlic City MercantileIntegrated Financial BenefitsJavita by LisaHeritage Bank of CommerceCommunity SolutionsGuild Mortgage
Page 8 Gilroy Business Focus I October 2015
The Leadership Gilroy Class of 2015’s service project called, “Have A Sole” was a shoe drive and 5k fun run event which was held on September 19th to sup-port victims of domestic violence. Over 250 new women’s and/or children’s shoes were collected and given to Community Solutions. The goal was to collect enough shoes and socks to sustain their Safe House closet for the next couple years. They also raised $5K.
Gilroy Leadership and Education Foundation was founded in 1998. Since then, over 250 people have traversed the nine month program known as Leadership Gilroy. They have exited the program, stronger, more aware, more skilled, and more connected to their community. Each year the class identifies a need in the community and sets a goal to fill that need.
2015 Leadership Gilroy Class (l-r): Kathleen Taylor, Therese Martin, Chad Brownfield, Michele Campbell, Jennifer Doak, Marlene Gaucin, Ryan Dinsmore, Thelma Raby, Daniel Murillo, Keri Loesch, Toby Echelberry, Ian Slattery, Amparo Mendoza-Patino, Jose Luis Calderon
