President's Message
On July 16, 2003 there was an article in the Daily News business section about companies moving out of the City of Los Angeles to find greener and friendlier pastures. A group called the Kosmont Companies, Larry Kosmont CEO and President, stated that the City of Los Angeles has ranked as a ?High Cost City?, the highest rating, for every year for almost the last decade. This study uses a combination of business, utility, and property taxes to determine the cost of doing business in the City. Back in September of 1999 Mayor Riordan committed to reforming the business tax structure in the hopes of attracting more business to the area and making sure businesses in the area did not leave. To this day we are still saddled with the gross receipts tax.
Unfortunately for us we live in a very business unfriendly State that is facing record budget deficits. The Workman?s Comp system is broken. Many companies are faced with 300 - 500 % increases in Workman?s Comp and other insurances. The business climate in California and especially Los Angeles is a dam that is about to burst. It is not going to last another two or three years while we study the problem. We need action and we need action today. Some tough choices will need to be made to keep the cities and state solvent while we wait for revenues to return.
You may ask yourself what you can do. Call your Councilperson. Call the Mayor. Let them know they are not doing their jobs and tell the new Councilpersons what their priorities should be. Let them know what you need to help grow your business. We all know we have to pay taxes - Death and Taxes!! We just want to get our return in the form of services. Tell your government that they need to start thinking of themselves as a business and to run themselves accordingly.
We are in the midst of a ?never before?. It is possible that there may be a recall vote on the ballot for the Governor of California for the first time in CA?s history. This is democracy at work. This process is telling your elected officials that they are there to serve the voters. If the voters are dissatisfied with the performance of an elected official then the voters are entitled to call them to task. Will this process be good for California?? In the long run it will serve to tell our elected officials they are not ?King or Queen? for their terms, but they now need to perform to the satisfaction of the voters. Kind of like the real world. You don?t do your job ? you get fired.
The article in the Daily News on July 16th had a headline ?...leaders, chamber good at getting the business?. We have a Vice-President of Business / Community Development - Dick Pearson. He has worked tirelessly for the community for many years to improve the business climate in the area. He has worked to make Chatsworth a shopper?s destination. It will not happen overnight but at least the work is being done.
The Chamber has a very strong legislative committee and our Vice-President of Legislative Affairs, Bill Powers, a business leader in the Valley, is working on making it stronger. All I ask is that you let us know how we can help and that you get involved.
The Chatsworth Neighborhood Council was just certified and will be holding its first elections approximately September 20th. The Chamber will be working very closely with this group and other community groups to improve the community and business environment. Call the Chamber and take advantage of the many opportunities to get involved in community and business affairs. It will translate into personal satisfaction and financial gain.
Welcome to Our Newest Members
The Board of Directors and Members of the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce welcomes our newest members. We are proud to have you among us.
God?S Grace Covenant Church
Ardena Layne Taylor
9044 Corbin Avenue
Northridge, CA 91324
818/885-7120 (phone)
818/885-7156 (fax) email: ggcc.faithweb.com
Church
God?s Grace Covenant Church is a multicultural/multiracial evangelical church with tremendous vision for the future. The Pastor, Maxie F. James has been in ministry for twenty years. The Pastor?s goal as a spiritual leader is to teach empowerment through spiritual tools given by Jesus Christ that people can use on a daily basis. Also, to have an impact on the community by building dialogue that will be used to break down the walls of segregation and move us closer to strong families, sound communities, and most of all spiritual integration. Sunday Bible Study at 8:00am. Worship and Service at 9:30am. Love School, Wednesday at 7:00pm.
Paradox 2000
Lisa Glover
9139 Lurline Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
818/709-0244 (phone) website:
www.paradox2000.com
818/709-0449
Multimedia Design/Advertising & Marketing
Established in 1998 and presently in Chatsworth, Paradox 2000 is a media design firm specializing in custom CD-ROM applications for advertising, marketing, promotions, and material distribution.
Services include:
? Graphic Design and Layout for print and web
? Animation and Sound
? Digital Photography
? CD-ROM and DVD
? Web based delivery
Paradox 2000 clients range form small businesses to major motion picture and television.
The IWS Group
Janice George-Jones
12370 Bradford Place
Granada Hills, CA 91344-1548
818/437-8582 (phone)
818/366-1261 (fax) email:
janicemst@aol.com
Christian Consulting Group
The IWS Group is a privately owned Christian Consulting Firm located in the San Fernando Valley just North of Los Angeles. The firm is made up of staff members with diverse, cross-cultural backgrounds. The group is a full service firm serving Churches, individuals, Missionary Organizations and non-profits. We offer a full range of Human Resource services which include:
? Leadership Development
? Conflict Resolution
? Organizational development
? Speaking and Listening
Janice M. Jones, the owner, has more than 20 years of management and leadership experience. She has been featured in key periodicals relative to her work in the area of diversity and has received key leadership Training from noted leadership speaker John C. Maxwell. Janice is a member of the American Society of Trainers and Developers. (ASTD)
Lifetech Resources
Natalie Roux or Beverly Halcon
9540 Cozycroft Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
818/885-1199 (phone)
818/709-2499 email:
natroux@earthlink.net
Cosmetics & Nutritional Supplements
Lifetech Resources is proud to offer our unique services and well-rounded expertise to provide you with a complete and unique line of branded health and wellness personal care products. Not a formulaic endeavor, our company serves a few select customers who require more than product development and manufacturing expertise to compliment their own marketing abilities in the beauty and wellness industry. Through our staff of medical and scientific advisors, we are able to provide functional products that produce unique results, while never compromising safety and governmental regulations. Lifetech Resources is not a private label company with a library of stock formulas. Each product is uniquely developed to meet your specific goals and requirements. We are a turnkey operation which provides a complete support system for your newly developed product. From concept to finished product?Lifetech Resources offers a full range of expert scientific, manufacturing, marketing and medical services to ensure the successful; launch and sell-through of your product.
Thank You Renewing Members for Your Continued Support
The strength of the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce lies with our membership. Renewing members are our greatest resource. Your support of the Chamber and its programs benefits all businesses as well as our community.
A Rental Connection
Party Rental Equipment
883-7368
A Symphony of Flowers
Florist
718-0797
Allstate Investigations
Private Investigations
717-9100
Althea Gallat?s Collection
Interior Decorating and Design
886-6736
David Scully & Co., CPAs
Accountanting/ CPA
576-7500
Huffman & Associates
Actuary
368-8879
Jano Graphics
Printing/Commercial
805/644-9212
Kiwanis Club
Service Organization
718-7442
Minilec Services, Inc.
Wholesale/Paging Repair
998-0826
Papa John?s
Restaurant/Pizza
725-2600
Performance Publishing Group
Directory Publishers
310/524-0730
West Hills Hospital & Medical Center
Hospital and Medical Center
676-4456
Articles
Golf Save The Day
by Lou Lorch
Get in the Swing at the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce
& Northridge/Chatsworth Rotary
Golf Tournament
~~~~Save The Date~~~~
Monday, November 3
Porter Valley Country Club
All Day Festivities*
Awards Banquet
Sponsorships Available
* Hole-in-One Contest sponsored by Galpin Motors
* Putting Contest
* ?Turkey Shoot?
Neighborhood Council News
by Allen Glazer - Interim Vice President
In an effort to keep the businesses and residents of Chatsworth up to date on all activities that affect our community, this newsletter will print the updates about the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council on a monthly basis.
Several years ago, Los Angeles City Charter reform led to the development of a Citywide Plan for Neighborhood Councils. Under the plan, neighborhoods can, after meeting certain requirements and being certified by the City, increase their influence with City lawmakers and departments for the purpose of improving their respective communities by creating a Neighborhood Council. The meetings are at 7:30 PM, the first Wednesday of each month. They are held at Lawrence Middle School, 10100 Variel Ave., Chatsworth, CA
The next two or three meetings are important to Chatsworth. These meetings are when the interim council will establish the rules for electing the Neighborhood
Council members. It is important to attend the meetings to get to know the people who will represent you "downtown" as Neighborhood Council members.
CHATSWORTH NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
MINUTES
JULY 2, 2003
Marty Woll, Interim President, called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
Helen Davis led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Marty asked how the participants heard about the meeting.
Historical Moment?Andre van der Valk
Huell Houser came to Chatsworth to visit the Historical Society and was shown various points of interest. He will air a show about Chatsworth history on September 30 and on September 29 will rerun the show on the Munch Box. The airdates are before Pioneer Day, which is October 5, and will hopefully increase attendance at the event.
The olive trees along Lassen were trimmed.
Marty Woll introduced the Interim Board and explained the purpose of the Neighborhood Council.
The minutes were read by those present and approved as printed.
Marty Woll introduced our guest speaker, Troy Boswell, with the Department of Animal Services, who talked about coyotes.
Election Process-Marty Woll
Marty stated that an election committee was formed to establish the rules and procedures for electing a governing board of the Neighborhood Council and he explained the procedures that have already been established by the committee. An election monitor is necessary to watch the election and be an arbiter of any disputes. Becky Bendikson of Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council has offered to serve in this capacity. There will be a nomination meeting and a candidates? forum but extensive outreach is necessary to provide as many stakeholders as possible with the opportunity to participate in the election. The nomination meeting was to be held on August 6 and the candidates? forum on September 6 but Scott Burritt from DONE suggested that we allow more time for outreach before holding the nomination meeting. The election committee will meet in the near future to finalize dates.
Outreach?Diana Dixon Davis
It was suggested that we make banners advertising election and place in key places throughout Chatsworth.
Current Issues
A Planning Commission meeting regarding the Deer Lake Project is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3.
The Mayor?s Budget Day is July 26 at the Convention Center. Councils with elected boards have priority; others may attend on a space-available basis.
A 118 freeway entrance and exit at Rocky Peak is being proposed and there will be a
6-month study regarding this proposal.
The Chatsworth Healthy Start Clinic will be open Monday through Thursday from 9-1 the weeks of August 18 and 26.
It was unanimously adopted to accept the revision to the Bylaws Article VIII A to read as follows:
?The initial election will take place approximately 120 days after certification. Except as provided in Article VIII 1. 3, all elections will be by secret ballot. Nominations will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., the day prior to Election Day. The deadline for inclusion of a nominee?s name on the printed ballot shall be specified in the election rules adopted by the Election Committee.? (emphasis added)
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Linda Ross, Interim Secretary
Make a Difference - Join the Ambassador Committee
by Jenny Goslin - Vice President Membership
What is an Ambassador?
The Ambassadors are a prestigious group of Chamber members who act as the welcoming arm of the Chamber. An Ambassador is a role model to other Chamber members.
What is the function of an Ambassador?
Ambassadors are always available to help a new member, assist with all events and create an atmosphere of "inclusion" for all in attendance. They are a key force behind the Chamber's success.
When you arrive at a Chamber luncheon, for example, an Ambassador will be there to greet you and make you feel welcome. He or she will also introduce you to other members. Our very successful networking luncheons are the special domain the Ambassador Committee.
What does it take to become an Ambassador?
If you would like to join the Ambassador committee and gain more exposure for your
business, as well as make some new friends, please contact the Chamber office, 818/341-2428. Ambassadors meet the second Tuesday of each month at 9:am, in the Chamber office.
We know you will make a difference.
State of the Community
by Ivy Weiss
The Fourth Annual State of the Community Breakfast will be held
Friday, December 5
7:30am
The Odyssey
An excellent and unique opportunity to hear from and speak with our elected officials and policy makers
