Ojai BUSINESS JOURNAL… · Ojai BUSINESS JOURNAL The Official Newsletter of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce Volume 11 | Issue 3 | June 2015 FEATURED SPOTLIGHT an interview with,William

OjaiBUSINESS JOURNALThe Official Newsletter of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce

Volume 11 | Issue 3 | June 2015

FEATURED SPOTLIGHT an interview with,William “Bill” Murphy, Executive Director of the C.R.E.W.

TRANSIENT OCCUPANY TAX FOR FEB. 2015$243,325rec’d in March 2014(27% increase compared to February 2014)

TRANSIENT OCCUPANY TAX FOR MARCH 2015$266,609rec’d in April 2015(16% increase compared to March 2014)

TRANSIENT OCCUPANY TAX TO DATETHROUGH MAR. 2015$660,832 (11% increase year over year 2014)

The C.R.E.W. (Con-cerned Resource and Envi-ronmental Workers), anOjai Valley Chamber ofCommerce member, is anenvironmentally orientednon-profit youth leader-ship and employment or-ganization. Founded in1991, the C.R.E.W providesleadership and job training,paid employment andcommunity service oppor-tunities to local youth aged14 to 26, while providingthe resources needed topreserve, maintain, and im-prove public and private wildlands, as well as to protect localcommunities against the threatof wildfire. The C.R.E.W. won the 2004Governor’s Award for Environ-mental and Economic Leader-

ship, at which time GovernorArnold Schwarzenegger noted: The C.R.E.W. “... Has showna deep commitment to balancingenvironmental preservation and

protection with the need to keepCalifornia’s economy growing. Icommend them for their ef-forts.” The C.R.E.W. infuses over

$250,000 into the localeconomy. Employing 75male and female youths,the C.R.E.W providestraining in leadership, workhabits and job skills, coop-eration, job safety, workethics, respect for fellowworkers and supervisors,and campsite responsibilityand backcountry survivalskills. The C.R.E.W. is co-ed

with girls composing 12%of the field crews. Partici-pants are 45% Hispanic,and approximately 40% of

C.R.E.W. participants arelow-income or at risk. The C.R.E.W. has per-formed numerous habitatrestoration projects, includingthe Piedra Blanca Creek Steel-head Habitat Project, the City of

continued on page 2

“We Make a Difference in Our Kids’ Lives” by Reynold Akison

William “Bill” Murphy - Executive Director of the C.R.E.W.

Hannah Paulsen of Heritage Financial at last month’smixer, gleefully showing off her raffle win, a basket donated

by the Lavender Festival! See page 8 for more photos.

OJAIThe Official Newsletter of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce

Volume 11 | Issue 3 | June 2015 PAGE 2

JUNE 2015

SCOTT EICHER, Chamber CEO

In “East of Eden”, John Steinbeck

wrote of the Salinas Valley: “I have spo-

ken of the rich years when water was

plentiful. But there were dry years too,

and they put a terror in the valley. The

water came in a thirty-year cycle. There

would be five or six wet and wonderful

years when there might be nineteen to

twenty-five inches of rain, and the land

would shout with grass. Then would

come six or seven pretty good years of

twelve to sixteen inches of rain. And

then there would be only seven or eight

inches of rain. The land dried up and

the grasses headed up miserably a few

inches high and great bare scabby

places appeared in the valley. The live

oaks got a crusty look and the sage-

brush was gray. The land cracked and

the springs dried up and the cattle list-

lessly nibbled dry twigs….People would

have to haul water in barrels to their

farms just for drinking. Some families

would sell out for nearly nothing and

move away. And it never failed that dur-

ing the dry years the people forgot

about the rich years, and during the wet

WATER IS THE LONG TERM ISSUE

continued on page 3

Ojai’s Millennium Tree Project and the LibbeyBowl creek mitigation program, the VenturaRiver Project, the Sespe Aquatic Ecosystem Re-construction Project, the North Fork MatilijaCreek Project, the Libbey Park West BarrancaRestoration Project, and the Lower VenturaRiver Herbicide Free Habitat Restoration Proj-ect. The C.R.E.W. also works with the Ojai Val-ley Land Conservancy at their various landpreserves. The C.R.E.W. has completed fire clear-ance for over 600 seniors in 4 mobile homeparks and private residences through the OjaiValley Low-Income Senior & Disabled CitizenFire Protection Program. William “Bill” Murphy was named Exec-utive Director of the C.R.E.W. in November2013. He is a retired U.S. Navy pilot whoserved 24 years in leadership positions aboardships, in aviation squadrons and at joint mili-tary commands. He is experienced in budgetmanagement, and managing personnel andgovernment projects. He is also a Director onthe Ojai Valley Sanitary District Board. Billholds a BA in Accounting and Business Man-agement from Asbury University, as well as anMS in National Security and Strategic Studiesfrom the United States Naval War College. The C.R.E.W.’s office is located at 370 W.Baldwin Road, Building E2, Ojai, CA 93023.Phone: 805-649-8847. Email: [email protected]. Website: http://thecrew.org. Pleasecontact the office for volunteer and internshipopportunities.

Ojai Business Journal: What’s the most im-portant thing you want reader’s to know aboutthe C.R.E.W.?

Bill Murphy: The C.R.E.W. is an Ojai Valleybased non-profit serving the community since1991 that works with at-risk, low-income kids.We try to make a difference in the communityand in our kids’ lives.

OBJ: How do you find or recruit kids?

Bill: We attend local school career days, jobfairs and the Partners in Education fairs. We

recruit high school-age kids, and we promotefrom within when we find a kid with good su-pervisory skills. I speak at service clubs like theLion’s and the Kiwanis Clubs. The C.R.E.W. isalso set up to work with kids doing commu-nity service. We get lots of referrals by word-of-mouth. Occasionally we will get calls fromparents wanting to know more about our or-ganization.

OBJ: How does the C.R.E.W. benefit the OjaiValley community?

Bill: Fire prevention services and youth em-ployment are two of the most important ben-efits. Trail repair and restoration are two otherimportant areas that directly benefit the com-munity. We work with the Ojai Fire Safe Counciland the U.S. Forest Service. We also providesenior citizen weed abatement around homesand mobile home parks. The community isbenefitting from our work with the VenturaHillsides Conservancy, as we help restorewalking trails along the Ventura River. We’re currently involved in habitatrestoration on Creek Road from the Mont-gomery Street bike path to Lion MountainBridge. We’re removing invasive plants and re-placing them with water-saving California na-tive plants. We are restoring this area andimproving the ecosystem of the creek whichbenefits everyone.

OBJ: How is the C.R.E.W. funded?

Bill: Besides grants, we host an annual fund-raising barbeque in April. We also receivefunds through the billable government andnon-government contract work we perform,and accept contributions in money and goods.(Any Chamber member wanting to make acontribution should call Bill at 805-649-8857.)

OBJ: What’s the biggest challenge facing theC.R.E.W. this year?

continued on page 4

THE C.R.E.W. continued from page 1

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

President Olga Jones Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.Past President Emily Wilson Heritage FinancialTreasurer David Junod David Junod, CPA

DirectorsVictoria Adam Ojai Valley DirectoryRyan Blatz Ryan Blatz LawDavid Brubaker, Ojai Community BankJill Olivares Allstate InsuranceEric Wilde Coldwell BankerEric Zacher Rains

THE OJAI BUSINESS JOURNAL is a bi-monthly publication of the Ojai Valley Chamberof Commerce which is solely responsible for itscontents. Information for issues should bediected to:

The Ojai Valley Chamber of CommercePO Box 1134, Ojai, CA 93024

TEL 805.646.8126 or FAX [email protected]

StaffScott Eicher - Chief Executive Officer | Norma Gonzalez - Executive Assistant



continued from page 2

years they lost all memory of the dry years. It was always that way.”

Now we are in those dry years: our lakes and wells are drying up

and our land is starting to crack. We know that wet years will return,

but will we make the effort now to pre-

pare for those wet years? Now is the

time to make more catch basins. Now

is the time to make plans to divert river

water to Lake Casitas, when the wet

years’ rainfall begins to decline, and

carry on the diversion continuously.

There won’t be any threat of pushing

steelhead salmon into extinction in the

Ojai Valley with river water diversion.

If the rivers go underground for three

spawning seasons or four or five, Na-

ture will do that for us.

Steinbeck wrote of the Salinas Valley in

1952, but he could just as easily been writing about the Ojai Valley.

As long I have been living here, we have seen the rivers wash our pre-

cious resource to the sea unabated. Yes, this is how the sand is

replenished at our beaches, but when we know that dry years are

coming, it is only prudent to begin storing for those lean times.

Continuously diverting some water to Lake Casitas and building

more catch basins in the valley is a sound strategy for preparing for

the dry years.

This short discussion could be

applied to what will likely be the

difficult time for Governor Jerry

Brown. His May revise of the

budget will show a very hefty sur-

plus (possibly between $3 billion

and $8 billion). Some of it will be

diverted to schools, and much of it

will be diverted to the “Rainy Day

Fund” to help the state carry on

when financial times are lean. I

don’t like taxes, but maintaining

this sales tax increase (Proposition 30)

will allow the reserve account to grow to a level that will sustain

us through leaner times.

We need to keep thinking about the future and how we can man-

age our resources – natural and financial – to allow us to survive the

cycle of California life. The time to begin that process is now.

Lake Casitas at dusk

Every year the Ojai Valley YouthFoundation an the Ojai EducationFoundation partner up to raisefunds for the youth of the Ojai Val-ley. The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa hassupported this event for the last 14

years. The Golf Classic continues to succeed in raising moneyfor these two organizations. This year’s Golf Classic is set forMonday, June 8th at the beautiful Ojai Valley Inn and Spa.

Spots are still available. Like to golf? Please join in onthe fun and register at: ojaigolfclassic.com or for mor in-formation contact Scott Mitchell at 805-640-2035.

The Ojai Youth Foundation, supports youth ages 12-18through after school programs that promote growth of char-acter, seeking of self and depth of understanding.

The Ojai Education Foundation has been providingteacher grants and resources to Ojai’s Public Schoolssince 1993.

Ojai Golf Classic Tees Off to Raise Funds for Youth Organizations

Bill:We have several. Funding is always a challenge. Grants used torequire 20% matching funds, now most grantors require 50% andeven dollar-for-dollar matching funds. This year we’ll need $85,000in matching funds. Right now, I’m working on grant applications for2017 - we’re always looking towards the future. We’re also facing in-creased liability and vehicle insurance expenses. Cash flow is another challenge for us. Some reimbursement forwork takes months to receive but we still have bills to pay. Maintaining a sustainable workforce is also a challenge, partic-ularly at the field supervisory level. We get kids who become excellentleaders and managers, then they’re often hired away by firefightinggroups, or they go on to college. Replacing them is not always easy.

OBJ:What’s the C.R.E.W.’s most pressing need?

Bill: Our fleet of vehicles and chipper are aging and will have to bereplaced in the next couple of years. We look for good used four-wheel drive vehicles since most of our work is off-road. The needright now is to build reserve funds for these purchases.

OBJ: In what way can Ojai Valley Chamber members support theC.R.E.W. and its work?

Bill: The positive word-of-mouth publicity we receive from Ojai Val-ley Chamber members and the Ojai Valley public is invaluable. Do-nations to our general fund are always welcome, and they’re taxdeductible.

OBJ:Does the C.R.E.W. ever partner with other Chamber membersat local events?

Bill: We’ve worked with the Ojai Valley Green Coalition on EarthDay and the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council on their “Ready, Set, Go”program. We try to participate in “green events” when they seem ap-propriate to our mission.

OBJ:What sets the C.R.E.W. apart from other non-profits in the OjaiValley?

Bill: We employ youth fourteen years and older and pay them.We provide them positive role models and teach them essentiallife skills through the work we do, along with teaching them tobe environmentally conscious. We make an impact on youth aswell as the community. We work with other non-profits in the area like the OjaiLand Conservancy on their six land preserves, the Ojai ValleyGreen Coalition and others. We coordinate with these organi-zations for volunteers - kids and adults - to provide work and

educational opportunities.

OBJ: Is there anything you’d like to add about the C.R.E.W. that wehaven’t covered?

Bill:We’ll be celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2016. We’re proudto be a long standing member of the Ojai Valley community since1991, and we thank the community for their continued support.



Gala 2015 P R E M I U M S P O N S O R

THE C.R.E.W. continued from page 2



CA

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JUNE 2015Wednesday, June 3, 10, 17, 24Morning Business Referral Group Meeting @ Eggs N Potatoes 7:15 a.m.

Lunch Business Referral Group Meeting @ Ojai Community Bank, Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 9, 23City Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers at City Hall

Wednesday, June 10-1469th Annual Ojai Music Festival, for information& tickets, ojaifestival.org or 646-2053

Thursday, June 11Chamber Board & OVB Meeting @ Ojai CommunityBank Board Room, Noon; 646-8126

Wednesday, June 17State of the City/State of Education @ the Ojai ValleyInn & Spa. Doors open at 8AM. Event concludes at9:30AM. Admission: $25 Chamber Members advancesale; $30 non-members & at the door, includes abreakfast buffet. For more info. 646-8126

Thursday, June 25Chamber Mixer @ Enhanced Day Spa & Boutique(formerly Summer’s Dawn), 439 W. El Roblar,5:30-7:00, 646-8126

JULY 2015Wednesday, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29Morning Business Referral Group Meeting @ Eggs N Potatoes 7:15 a.m.

Lunch Business Referral Group Meeting @ Ojai Community Bank, Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 4thIndependence Day Celebration! Breakfast, Parade, Concerts, Fireworks --Enjoy it all!

Thursday, July 9Chamber Board & OVB Meeting @ Ojai Music FestivalConference Room, Noon; 646-8126

Tuesday, July 14, 28City Council Meeting 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers at City Hall

C H A M B E R M E M B E RNEW

Made In OjaiTinamarie Tuscano323 E. Matilija St., Ste. 101 & 103Ojai, CA 93023(805) [email protected] Retail


On April 14, 2015, Wom-

enCertified, Inc., the voice

of female patients, an-

nounced the 2015 Women’s

Choice Awards® for

America’s Best Hospitals

for Emergency Care in

which the Ojai Valley Com-

munity Hospital is included.

Selections were based on superior

performance on CMS measures on emergency departments.

Measures were weighted based on a national survey of women’s

priorities when selecting emergency care.

As a leading advocate for female patients, the mission of

WomenCertified, Inc.is to help women identify where they can

receive the very best care; they set higher patient standards and

expectations by identifying those hospitals that focused on a

great patient experience. Awarded hospitals are eligible to par-

ticipate in the Women’s Choice Awards® Education, Engagement

and Empowerment Program targeting women in the Ojai Commu-

nity. Participation in the EEE Program is an exclusive distinction

that demonstrates a commitment to the needs and preferences of

female patients.

The Women’s Choice Award is the only evidence-based qual-

ity program designed to educate and empower the hospital staff

and the community and enhance brand value among women.

Most importantly, the Women’s Choice Award seal is the only

recognition in the healthcare industry that appeals to what mat-

ters most to women choosing a hospital.




OVCH Honored with Women’s Choice

Award

VISITwww.ojaichamber.orgfor the latest happenings in your business community



P R E M I U M S P O N S O R SGala 2015

SSTTAATTEE OOFF TTHHEE CCIITTYY && EEDDUUCCAATTIIOONNJoin us for breakfast

June 17, 2015 | 8:00 - 9:30am | The Ojai Valley Inn & SpaOJAI CITY MANAGER, Rob Clarkpresents the State of the City

OUSD SUPERINTENDENT, Hank Bangserpresents the State of Education

TICKETS:$25 in Advance | $30 at the door & for non-members

Seating is Limited! Reserve your seat at

www.OjaiChamber.org or call 805.646.8126

E V E N T S P O N S O R S



Gala 2015 P R E M I U M S P O N S O R S

CHAMBERMarc Whitman, of WhitmanArchitectural Design, was hostof last month’s mixer. Join us onJune 25th for this month’s mixerhosted by Enhanced Day Spa &Boutique (formerly Summer’sDawn) at 439 W. El Roblar, in Meiners Oaks. Nathan and Gail of the

Nan Tolbert Center

Tinamarie Tuscano, new owner of Made in Ojaiproudly shows off her new Member plaque

Documents

Ojai BUSINESS JOURNAL… · Ojai BUSINESS JOURNAL The Official Newsletter of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce Volume 11 | Issue 3 | June 2015 FEATURED SPOTLIGHT an interview with,William