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MONDAY MEMO Membership Directory Review Your Information The Chamber's Resource Center Store Helps Your Business Grow Election 2005 Chamber Positions Disaster Aid Chamber Companies Lend A Hand Senator Morrow Opinion Piece |
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UPCOMING EVENTS 10/06 Professional Development for Small Businesses 10/14 Technology Seminar 10/18 Get Connected Breakfast 10/19 Free Technology Workshop 10/20 Business After Five Mixer 10/31 2006 Economic Outlook Conference 12/05 2005 Chamber Golf Classic 01/25/06 Fifth Annual Mexico Economic Review & Outlook |
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CHAMBER CONNECTION Hartford Business and Workers' Comp Insurance The Chamber's Best Kept Networking Secret Find out Now Foundation Performance Excellence Grant Resource Center Help Your Business Grow |
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FEATURED MEMBERS TextDesigns Why Hire a Writer? SDG&E Assists Victims of Hurricane Katrina Women in Business Teleclass Series Growth and Opportunity SCORE Success Story Meals on Wheels Make a Difference San Diego Blood Bank Needs Your Help Tender Nursing Quality Care San Diego PC Quality PC Repair San Diego Prestige Want to Drive a Luxury Car? Russell Plumbing For all Your Plumbing Needs YMCA Centers Welcome Victims of Hurricane Katrina GEVITY Putting People First The Best to you Basket Promotes Good Health San Diego Foundation's 30th Anniversary Celebration October 15 Buying or Selling a Business Workshop October 20 I AM Foundation Grand Opening, October 22 Swedish-American Bio-Business Events October 24 - 26 |
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Jerry Sanders For Mayor On September 28, the Board of Directors of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce unanimously voted to endorse Jerry Sanders for mayor. The Chamber has traditionally avoided making political endorsements in races other than the school board, however a policy exists that allows the board to make an endorsement, if it is deemed necessary. "Our belief has always been that we have an obligation to the business community to work with whoever is elected by the public," said Chamber President and CEO Jessie Knight, Jr. "Due to the severity of the existing situation, the board chose to break from its historical policy of neutrality and endorse the individual we believe is most qualified to provide comprehensive leadership, repair our fiscal crisis and improve the quality of life for all residents." The Chamber last endorsed a candidate over 30 years ago. The decision reached by the current board, was not developed easily. Special focus was placed on the fiscal recovery plans presented by Jerry Sanders and Donna Frye, as well as a review of their leadership strengths. "The decision was made based on who the board believed was most capable of not just claiming to be a leader, but more importantly getting people and groups to follow," said Chamber Chairman Michael W. Murphy. "The new mayor will be required to build coalitions and find ways to consistently create progress as opposed to polarization. " The Chamber began a formal interview process in May. A Special Interview Committee interviewed candidates with the sole intent of analyzing their qualifications and making a recommendation to the board of directors that reflects the broad cross-section of the Chamber's nearly 3,000 member companies consisting of small and large businesses alike; from a wide variety of industries. The committee presented its final report, along with a recommendation, to the board for consideration. Both candidates were interviewed twice. "This is not a partisan choice," stressed Knight, Jr. " Our board and our membership are comprised of Democrats, Republicans, Independents and the apolitical. This decision is about who we believe will make the decisions that will be the most beneficial for the people of this city and for the economy." The Chamber's endorsement serves as a statement from the local business community--which creates jobs and employees over 420,000 workers--about who it believes could successfully implement a plan to address the city's most critical issues. Those issues include: the governance and operational dysfunction of the bureaucracy, $1.8 billion pension crisis, approximately $700 million health care deficit, growing infrastructure needs and a host of other issues affecting the people who live and work in the City of San Diego. In the end, resolving these issues will take the collective effort of a coalition of people and groups--not just one person. "We have offered criticism and praise of our political leadership when and where warranted," added Knight, Jr. "And we have always stated our desire to be a part of creating solutions to help the city, as opposed to sitting on the sidelines and complaining. Not everyone has agreed with our positions or statements and surely not everyone will agree with our endorsement for Mayor." Jerry Sanders' track record as the chief of police provides him with a solid understanding of how bureaucracy works. His proven ability to successfully turn around financially troubled organizations, such as the United Way and Red Cross, demonstrate a solid leadership style, approach to problem solving and understanding of fiscal issues. "Jerry Sanders, through his responses to our questions, demonstrated a strong grasp of what is wrong with the city, aside from the pension issues, and how important it is to look at the other significant issues that require attention," said Knight, Jr. "He showed a keen ability to be decisive as evidenced by his announcement of his diverse transition team and his decision to look within the city structure first for cuts and job inefficiencies as a way to reduce expenses, as opposed to just focusing on the need for additional revenue." The Chamber, which has been increasingly visible and vocal in recent years, is also preparing to evaluate candidates running for the vacant City Council seats in districts two and eight. A decision about whether or not to endorse candidate(s) in the primary will be made in October. "There is much that needs to be accomplished during the next two to three years as it relates to the city's budget woes, infrastructure problems and pension issues," said Murphy. "In our opinion Jerry Sanders is the right person and right personality to lead the renewal effort for the residents of San Diego." |
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With our new membership directory going to print in 60 days, now is the perfect time for Chamber members to check all of their information to make sure it is correct! You can check your company listing by viewing the Business Directory on the Chamber website (www.sdchamber.org). If there are any changes that you would like to see made, please contact Elsa Gutierrez at egutierrez@sdchamber.org. If you are not a current member of the Chamber, there is no better time than now to join. New members who sign up before October 20th guarantee their spot in our new directory! |
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Thank You to our
Renewing Members Chamber Press Releases Hot off the press |
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Members in Action Announcements, awards and more! Chairman's Report News from the Chamber Board |
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Your Business Advocate Leveraging its robust membership, collaborations with other organizations and political access, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce's business advocacy team initiates legislation and lobbies for policies that create a stronger pro-business environment. |