Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Volume 13, Issue 2 Published by the Martinez Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau Summer 2015
Page 2 Martinez Living Summer 2015
Martinez Chamber of Commerce
2015 Board of Directors & Officers
Adam Hoffert Chairman of the Board
AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah
Dwayne Glemser Past Chairperson
Les Schwab Tire Center
Janet Kennedy Chairperson Elect
JHK Consulting
Will Frisbie Treasurer & Finance Chair
Lemonade Accounting
Laura Philpot Secretary
Eco Services
Richard Munoz Vice President
Connolly & Taylor
Marie Knutson Liaison-Martinez Chamber Community
Development Corp. The UPS Store/Republic Services
Board Members
Erin Hallissy Shell Oil Products US Martinez Refinery
Darrel M. Hodge Eco Services
Rami Muth
Martinez Unified School District
Gary Hernandez Martinez Auto Body
Greg Pope Behind the Plate Clubhouse Grill
Brian Nunnally Tesoro Refinery, Martinez
Gay Gerlack Designer
Lara DeLaney ExOfficio
Martinez City Council
Martinez Area Chamber of Commerce 603 Marina Vista, Martinez, CA 94553
925-228-2345 Fax 925-228-2356
Rachel Unpingco, Sales & Marketing Manager
Joyce Deaver, Administrative Assistant
I became a member of the Martinez Chamber of
Commerce as giving back to the community was a key part
of my upbringing here in the East Bay. Since I know
people prefer to do business with those with whom they
know, like and trust, I felt my business as a Life Insurance
Specialist with AAA, one of America’s most trusted brands,
might also benefit. I’ve learned over that time Chamber
Membership is about so many things more than I could
have imagined.
Certainly my business has grown because of my membership; really the key to
that growth is involvement. Attending mixers, volunteering at events, serving
on committees, spending four years as an ambassador, now my fifth year as a
board member, and serving my second term as chairman have introduced me
to people who may have people in their lives who they love and want to give
them the selfless gift of protection with life insurance. More importantly, they
may know someone who has the need. The next time the subject comes up in
conversation, I’m the first one of whom they think.
Involvement in other chamber events can be great resources. We hosted a
lunchtime seminar in which the topic was “Changes to human resources laws
in 2015.” One business owner pulled me aside afterwards to share that the
information provided was well worth his annual membership investment as the
information learned saved him thousands in legal consulting fees, not to
mention a great lunch from Kinder’s BBQ. There are countless stories of
potential businesses locked in negotiations with landlords. A call or letter from
the chamber helped the two parties reach agreements to open in town.
There are so many collaborations among businesses that I’ve witnessed
because of chamber membership. I remember a credit union and tire store
collaborating some years ago. The credit union needed a grand prize for a
marketing promotion. Because the CEO of the credit union and the tire store
manager met at a chamber mixer, a great prize was put together from the tire
store’s inventory to be displayed at the credit union and each business had
marketing materials in each other’s location. I look at another business who
buys coupons from a restaurant to thank their best customers, or maybe
sometimes to mend a relationship that went south. One of my favorite recent
success stories is a friend who was losing her job because her company was
shutting down after 25 years of employment. Because of relationships forged
at mixers and other volunteer activities, she spent less than two weeks
unemployed and the interview process was just a formality.
While my original goal was merely to put “footprints in my community” because
my parents trained me that it’s the right thing to do, I’ve gained lifelong
relationships that will help my business and help this community continue to be
great. I hope you will maximize your membership and ask how you can get
involved.
I look forward to seeing you at the 9th Annual King of the County BBQ
Competition and Music Festival. This year looks like it is shaping up to be our
best year yet!
Chairman’s Message
Adam Hoffert, Chairman of the Board - Martinez Chamber of Commerce
Page 3 Volume 13, Issue 2
New Chamber Members
Land Home Financial
Slow Hand BBQ
American Cancer Society
Chevron
Sally Severns - State Farm Insurance
Sam’s Club – Concord
Mr. Lucky’s of Pleasant Hill
Star July Productions
Caspian Pacific Alliance, Inc.
Quality Inn – Martinez
Renewal Memberships Citrus Salon
Valley Jewelers
Busby Construction
Denise’s Family Law & Divorce Documents Assistance
Dr. Mona Mokarram, DDS
Angelo Costanza, Attorney at Law
Sunflower Garden
Since the beginning of April, Martinez finally has a permanent city manager. Rob Braulik took
the helm of the SS Martinez and has been navigating a course through the shoals of unfinished
business. Although our interim city managers have done an excellent job of keeping the ship
afloat, Rob is clearing the decks and setting the course forward.
Financially the city is sound with a balanced budget for 2015-2017. We will be starting this
fiscal year with a “rainy day fund” of $4.5 million which is a reserve of 21%. Positive trends for
the city are a recovering economy, increase in permit revenues, increasing property values and lower
unemployment. Negative trends are significant CalPERS rate increases, a reduction of sales tax due to a loss of a
major business. We are working to recapture some of that loss in the next year.
The city council recently adopted a 5 year capital improvement program that includes construction of a bridge over
Alhambra Creek from Berrilessa to the north Intermodal parking lot, signal lights at C Street, completion of all
Measure H parks projects (including Waterfront Park, Susana Street Park and Hidden Lakes soccer fields). Paving
projects include C Street, Allen Street, Carquinez Scenic Drive, Haag Road, Glacier at Highway 4, Morello at
Highway 4 and Pine/Center at Highway 4.
Some other key funded items include converting all parking meters to electronic with the goal to finance the
construction of a multi-story parking structure increasing code enforcement to a full time employee, improvements
to the Amtrak station and finally completing and adopting the General Plan. We will also be expanding IT mobile
applications and tools for residents.
The adopted goals of the city council are:
• Fiscal health of the city
• Infrastructure improvements
• A safe community
• Improving economic health of residents and business
• A high performing government
I am confident that the city council can attain these goals with Rob Braulik as our city manager.
A Word from the Mayor by Mayor Rob Schroder
John Muir Association
Englund’s Café & Catering
MTZ Auto Repair
Apple Appraisal
Stepping Stones Learning Center
Mark Woodard - State Farm Insurance
Albert Turnbaugh – Attorney at Law
Martinez News Gazette
Roxx on Main
ARTU4iA
U.S. Bank – Martinez
Martinez Early Childhood Center
Contra Costa CAER Group, Inc.
Les Schwab Tire Center
Martinez Arts Association
Eco Services
Light Speed Systems
Kinder’s Meats – Concord
PakMail Center of Martinez
IBEW Local # 302
Home Depot – Martinez
Lemongrass Bistro
Dream Makers Bath & Kitchen - Walnut Creek
Anderson Bros. Movers
Aloha Chiropractic
Martinez Marina
Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa
Chateau Pleasant Hill
Hein Lighting & Electric
Pet & Home Care
Wing Stop – Martinez
RemodelMe Showroom & Cabinet Design
Renaissance Club Sport
S.P. Automotive
Shell Western States Federal Credit Union
Regency Apartments
Behind the Plate Clubhouse Grill
State Farm Insurance – Matt Rinn
Page 4 Martinez Living Summer 2015
4000 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA 94553 925-228-4700
www.connolly-taylorchapel.com FD#: 154
Who We Are
Our professional staff has years of experience caring for families from all walks of
life. We are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service and professional
integrity.
When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and
affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and
products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design
a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families
who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind
because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
Our History
Our firm traces its roots back to 1921, when our first facility was dedicated. Many years later, this location has seen
renovations and changes, but has always been and will continue to be an integral part of this community.
Over the years, the original mission of the firm hasn't changed. We have always intended to provide the best, most
professional services, complemented by the finest products. Today, we pride ourselves on being current with the
major changes in funeral service trends - and bring those innovations and memorialization options to our client
families with integrity and insight.
Pictured from left to right:
Rose Clyne, Young Woman of the
Year; Barb Lofton, Ambassador of the
Year; Claudia Whitnah, Lifetime
Achievement; Barbara Chambers,
Woman of the Year; John Viano -
Viano Vineyards, Business of the
Year; Rami Muth, Teacher/Educator of
the Year; Dwayne Glemser, Man of the
Year; Harrison Brown, Young Man of
the Year
Congratulations to all award winners.
Volume 13, Issue 2 Page 5
First “Paving the Green Path” 2015 Recycling Champion Awards Go To Bill’s Ace Hardware and Martinez Jr. High
On Wednesday, June 3rd, two commercial accounts of Republic Services received the first “Paving the Green Path” 2015 Recycling Champion award for their recycling and diversion efforts at the City Council meeting in Martinez. Those recipients were Bill’s Ace Hardware and Martinez Jr. High.
Mayor Rob Schroder opened the award presentation. “The City and Republic Services partnered in 2012 to implement the “Mandatory Commercial Recycling” program as required by Assembly Bill 341. The goal of AB341 is to divert more materials from the landfill…part of this process was to establish a Commercial Recycling Recognition Program to acknowledge commercial customers that set a positive example through their recycling efforts. In Martinez, schools are considered commercial accounts,” he said.
Marie Knutson, recycling coordinator for Republic Services explained why these two groups had been chosen.
“Bill’s Ace Hardware did not show they had a recycling account. After an audit, I learned how much they were recycling internally: from cardboard and paper to plastic and shrink-wrap,”said Knutson. She added that they have sky lights for natural lighting- a CiraLight system and work hard to educate the public on how to save water, energy, and natural resources. They give back to the community often, are a Chamber Member and a Certified Bay Area Green Business. They inspire change by setting a great example and promoting sustainability.
Martinez Jr. High also received special recognition. They cut their trash to the landfill by 50%, with the help of parent volunteers, supportive instructional and office staff and a custodial team that went above and beyond to make it work. That was not an easy task with approximately one thousand students in a two-lunchtime period.
“Martinez Jr. High has solar in place and recycles paper in the classrooms. They accepted the changes to implement the recycling program at lunch with open arms and have been helping their students, who are our future, to learn sustainable practices with great success,” Knutson said.
The Martinez Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate both winners on a job well done!
Above, pictured left to right, are Councilmembers Lara
DeLaney and Mark Ross, Mayor Rob Schroder, Bill
Wygal (owner, Bill’s Ace Hardware), Councilmembers
AnaMarie Avila Farias and Debbie McKillop, and Marie
Knutson, (Recycling Coordinator - Republic Services
Above, pictured left to right, are Councilmembers Lara
DeLaney and Mark Ross, Mayor Rob Schroder, Zachary Pless
(Vice Principal, MJH), Michael DeFrancesco (Principal, MJH),
Councilmembers AnaMarie Avila Farias and Debbie McKillop,
and Marie Knutson, (Recycling Coordinator - Republic
Services
Ribbon Cuttings on the Horizon
June 25, 2015 - 5:00pm 729 Castro Street
Martinez, CA 94553
July 3, 2015 - 5:00pm 725 Ward Street
Martinez, CA 94553
For Main Street Martinez Events,
please visit
http://mainstreetmartinez.org/events
Page 6 Martinez Living Summer 2015
Next Chamber Mixer Great Networking, Food, Fun, Raffle Prizes
(bring a raffle prize and have your business announced!)
Thursday, July 9th, 2015: 5:30-7:30pm
Co-hosted by IBEW #302 and NECA
at the IBEW #302 Training Center
1255 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553
2015
The month will highlight the famed history of the Martini as a part of the rich history of Martinez. The birth of the
Martini was the result of a miner who walked into a Martinez saloon and requested a bottle of Champagne to
celebrate his gold mining success. As the bar did not have Champagne, the bartender offered him a “Martinez
Special,” today known as the Martini.
Celebrating 100 Years
August Martinez Chamber Mixer Thursday, August 13
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Shell Clubhouse 1635 Pacheco Blvd, Martinez, CA 94553
Page 7 Volume 13, Issue 2
...CHAMBER HAPPENINGS...
April Mixer hosted by
Good Times Then and Now
& Beaver Creek
Smokehouse
May Mixer
hosted by
HJB Hoses
and Rodan
& Fields
Martinez Chamber of Commerce
603 Marina Vista
Martinez, CA 94553
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CONCORD CA
94520
Permit 346
Martinez Refinery