December 2011

Vol. 32 Issue 12

modchamber.org

Ribbon CuttingsWork In ProgressNew Members

Our Future Starts Here

council member Stephanie BurnSide

council member dave Cogdill Jr.

sylvan school district board member

Jennifer miyakawa

sylvan school district board member

david CollinS

council member dave lopez

modesto city schools board member

kathy floreS hallinan

modesto city schools board member

Steven grenBeaux

mid board member larry Byrd

modesto city schools board member

amy newman

stanislaus county board of education

kim Spina

mid board member niCk Blom

mayor candidategarrad marSh

mayor candidateBrad hawn

not piCtured council member

John gunderSon

An entire networkCommitted entirely

to your unique needs

suttercentralvalley.org

Choosing the Sutter Health network of doctors and hospitals

means youre choosing a network that is committed to you.

We give you access to some of the most respected hospitals

and doctors in the Central Valley region, like Sutter Gould

Medical Foundation, Memorial Medical Center, Sutter Tracy

Community Hospital, and Memorial Hospital Los Banos, with

easy access to a large array of specialists. Selecting a Sutter

Health network doctor gives you everything you need.

Make sure you choose a health plan that gives

you access to Sutter Health doctors.

00659_OE_Progress_Nov.indd 1 10/18/11 2:11 PM

dec 2011 3

Being a part of the Welcome Team has been a wonderful experience. Welcoming a new or a relocating business to the community is always an exciting event. Not only have I been able to meet and greet newcomers, I have made some great friends on and off of the Welcome Team. Attending Ribbon Cuttings allows me to learn about the new businesses in town as well as promote Prime Shine. So come on out and support our local businesses by joining our team! For more information contact Ronna Porges at (209) 549-9274 or visit www.primeshine.com. P

An entire networkCommitted entirely

to your unique needs

suttercentralvalley.org

Choosing the Sutter Health network of doctors and hospitals

means youre choosing a network that is committed to you.

We give you access to some of the most respected hospitals

and doctors in the Central Valley region, like Sutter Gould

Medical Foundation, Memorial Medical Center, Sutter Tracy

Community Hospital, and Memorial Hospital Los Banos, with

easy access to a large array of specialists. Selecting a Sutter

Health network doctor gives you everything you need.

Make sure you choose a health plan that gives

you access to Sutter Health doctors.

00659_OE_Progress_Nov.indd 1 10/18/11 2:11 PM

Welcome Team Corner

PROGRESS MAGAZINE1114 J Street Modesto, CA 95354(209) 577-5757 (209) 571-6480 Fax (209) 577-2673www.modchamber.org info@modchamber.org

Mission StatementTo promote the regions economic strengths and vitality; identify and promote services that are valuable to our members; advocate for public policy that is advantageous to the business community; and fully participate and partner in activities to improve quality of life.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSchairmanRalph Curtis, Curtis Legal Group

chairman electDavid Gianelli, Gianelli & Associates

Vice chairman of Internal OperationsEric Benson, JS West & Company

Vice chairman of external OperationsKathy Halsey, Individual Member

Vice chairman of Member RelationsDavid Halvorson, American Chevrolet

Vice chairman of events & Special ProjectsDoug Johnson, Reach Business Systems, Inc.

directorsLynn Dickerson, Gallo Center for the Arts Dan Garcia, Tri Counties BankPat Gillum, Pat Gillum, CPANeal Khatri, Best Western Khatri PropertiesCraig Lewis, Prudential California RealtySharon Likely, Kaiser PermanenteMike Moradian, Peace of Mind Home InspectionsBill Moreno, Fire 2 WireRon Owen, Bank of the WestSuzy Powell, Individual MemberChris Ricci, Chris Ricci PresentsLaura Ward, Ward Promotional Marketing SolutionsJeremiah Williams, Oak Crafts by Jeremiah

ex-OfficioBill Bassitt, The AllianceGeorge Boodrookas, Modesto Junior CollegeKeith Boggs, Leadership ModestoDavid Boring, Never Boring Design AssociatesGreg Nyhoff, City of Modesto

Cecil Russell, President/CEOcrussell@modchamber.org

Publisher: Modesto Chamber of Commerce(209) 577-5757 info@modchamber.org

Graphic design: Never Boring Design Associates(209) 526-9136 www.neverboring.com

Printer: Parks Printing(209) 576-2568 frankp@parksprinting.com

distribution: Parks Printing(209) 576-2568

Advertising Sales: Kristin BowkerNever Boring Design Associates(209) 526-9136 progress@neverboring.com

ronna porgeS

401 10th Street (Corner of 10th & D St) Modesto, CA

P: (209) 527-0902 | F: (209) 527-4045 | www.loveladys.com

N

ever

Bor

ing

Des

ign

neve

rbor

ing.

com

Body and Paint Shop, Inc.

Family Owned and Operated since 1974 | Four Generation

SAVE THE DATE

MODeStO CHaMberS 100 Year Gala

Date: marCh 10, 2012

lOCatION: the gallo Center

for the artS

CONTENTS deceMbeR 2011

PublIC aDVOCaCY

4 Your Chamber at Work

COVer StOrY

6 Election Results

COMMuNItY DeVelOPMeNt

8 Guest Column

9 Expect More Stanislaus

12 Announcements

10 eDuCatION

11 GOVerNMeNt relatIONS

eCONOMIC DeVelOPMeNt

13 New Member Profiles

23 Land of Opportunity

NetwOrkING & reFerralS

16 Business Before and After Hours

17 New Chamber Members

18 Ribbon Cuttings

26 Calendar

4 Modesto chamber of commerce I Progress

In 2011 more than 2,500 bills were introduced in the California legislature. In the end, 870 bills were presented to the Governor; of those, 745 bills were signed into law, 125 vetoed, and one bill went into law without the Governors signature. Bills signed by the Governor become law on January 1, 2012.

Each year, the California Chamber of Commerce releases a list of job killer bills to identify legislation that will decimate economic and job growth in California. This year, 30 bills were considered job killer bills. Of those, only seven made it to the Governors desk; six of these were vetoed, and only one signed into law.

Senators Berryhill and Cannella and Assemblymembers Berryhill and Olsen are recognized as voting in accord with nearly 100% of CalChambers Best Business positions. This recognition clearly identifies that our elected officials are acting in the best interest of our business community.

As issues are brought forward, our Chambers Government Relations Council (GRC) reviews and takes positions on key business bills that affect our community. This year the GRC acted upon 15 bills, 11 of these were considered job killer bills.

For example, the Chamber opposed, and the Governor vetoed, AB 325 and AB 1155. AB 325, the right to bereavement leave, would have added legal costs and responsibilities to California businesses. AB 1155 would have increased costs and lawsuits in the workers

compensation system by eroding the apportionment position that protects an employer from paying for disability that didnt arise at work.

The Chamber also supported passage of AB 878, which was signed into law by the Governor. AB 878 strengthens workers compensation laws.

As we go into 2012, the Chamber will continue to review legislation and act on our members behalf to strengthen business and support our community. P

puBlIC ADvOCACy

your ChamBer at work

(209) 523-8365

Keeping Modesto Cool Since 1957

AIR CONDITIONING HEATING SHEET METAL

AIR DUCT CLEANING PLANNED SERVICE MAINTENANCE

W W W . N O R Q U I S T A I R . C O M

LIC. 872913

Our elected officials are acting in the best interest

of our business community.

City of Modesto Utility Users Tax

The city of Modestos Utility Users Tax is collected on telephone, water, gas and electric services at a rate of 6% and cable television services at 3%.

The maximum tax utility users have to pay for each service is $1500. With a tax rate of 6%, this means a user will reach the maximum tax when they have paid $25,000 in any given calendar year for a utility service.

If you have paid tax on charges in excess of $25,000 for a utility service during a calendar year, you may be entitled to a refund from the city.

A utility service refers to each individual utility location with a separate meter and separate billing.

For telephone customers, the tax is calculated on each basic telephone number, including extensions to the basic number.

The Modesto Municipal Code currently provides for refunds of overpayments made within 12 months from the receipt of the refund request.

To request a refund, please provide the city with a written request and copies of your utility bills which verify you overpaid.

Request for refunds should be mailed to: City of Modesto Finance Department P. O. Box 642; Modesto, CA 95353 Attn: Utility Tax Desk

You may elect to prepay the utility users tax maximum if you believe you will exceed the cap. The city would then notify each utility that payment has been made and they will cease collection of the tax for the calendar year.

If you have any questions, please contact the Utility Tax personnel at (209)577-5206.

dec 2011 5

What does turning 100 years old look like? We invite you to join the Modest