July 2016 - Lemoore Chamber of Commerce
Transcription
July 2016 - Lemoore Chamber of Commerce
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LEMOORE DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE It is the mission of the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce to be the leader in our community for building sustainable economic growth, advocating for a pro-business climate and enhancing Lemoore’s working relationships with Naval Air Station Lemoore, City, Education, Tourism, Business and Agricultural Interests. July 2016 T 300 E Street, Lemoore, CA 93245 (559) 924-6401 www.lemoorechamberofcommerce.com CalChamber By Jennifer Barrera he Assembly Judiciary Committee delayed voting on a job killer bill (on June 21,2016) that if passed, will expose businesses to costly litigation when goods are “substantially similar,” yet priced differently. The bill, SB 899 (Hueso; D-San Diego), sponsored by the Consumer Federation of California, could subject businesses to a minimum $4,000 of damages for each violation. SB 899 intends to force retailers and grocery stores to charge the same price for “male” versus “female” products, which will require the sellers to either engage in gender stereotyping of consumer goods or increase prices to the highest price for a good of “substantially similar or like kind,” as well as expose these employers to the same costly, drive-by litigation that has been plaguing businesses in California with regard to disability access. Although recent amendments to SB 899 provide a limited list of “gender-neutral” reasons a good may be priced differently, proof of those reasons will come up only after litigation has already been filed and costs and attorney’s fees incurred, CalChamber Policy Advocate Jennifer Barrera explained to the committee. Barrera gave an example: a consumer could go to a separate retailer/grocery store or even the same retailer/grocery store on a daily basis and purchase two items the consumer believes are similar in kind, yet priced differently (even $0.01 would be enough), and ask the business to settle for a minimum of $4,000 or face costly litigation. While the business may very well be able to prove the price difference was based upon a gender-neutral reason, the cost of litigation to prove that defense is significant, Barrera said. This is the exact type of frivolous litigation that businesses across California are struggling with for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as it is the same section of the Civil Code that covers both issues. “California businesses do not need exposure to another layer of such extortionist litigation as SB 899 will create,” Barrera said. SB 899 seeks to expand on a 1995 law that banned pricing differences for men’s and women’s services, except in specific circumstances. Jose Paniagua, owner of Chic Hair Studio in Riverside, testified in opposition to the bill. Paniagua is facing a lawsuit for a $4 cost difference between a man’s and a woman’s haircut. Personal Defense Workshop Wednesday, July 6th 11:30am-1pm Train Depot - Lunch Provided At the time of the price inquiry, the salon explained to the prospective customer the reason for the cost difference is a labor cost, which is permitted under state law. Now he is fighting to protect his business. Paniagua said that his salon and 10 other businesses in his community have been subject to lawsuits from the same lawyer and the lawyer’s girlfriend, who have been requesting services from a variety of firms in the last couple of months. If SB 899 passes, Paniagua told the committee that “without any regulations to protect small businesses, there is no doubt that we will get more lawsuits and owners will consider closing their businesses because they are afraid of getting sued over huge amounts of money.” Paniagua explained that another business, a dry cleaner, is facing a $100,000 lawsuit over the 50 -cent difference for dry cleaning a woman’s blouse versus a man’s laundered shirt. Lawsuits about differently priced services are already having a bad impact on businesses, Paniagua told the committee. “Can you imagine what would happen if SB 899 becomes law and this impacts products? This is one more reason to kill jobs and close down business.” The Assembly Judiciary Committee decided not to vote on the legislation yesterday and chose instead to wait a week until the next committee meeting on June 28. There was a lot of discussion among the committee members about whether the bill’s language could be amended to deal with their concerns. Asked about the prospects for changes removing objections to the bill, Barrera pointed out that CalChamber’s opposition letter has remained the same throughout the legislative process to date, meaning amendments have not resolved business concerns. July 1 is the deadline for legislative policy committees to meet and send bills to the floor. The time has come to once again recognize our local Kings County Agriculture Superstars! Nominations for Kings County Agriculturalist & Ag Supporter of the Year are due Friday, July 8th to the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce Office. Honoree nomination forms and lists of former honorees can be found on the Chamber website: www.lemoorechamberofcommerce.com, and at the Train Depot. The Jack Stone - Kings County Salute to Ag Banquet will take place on Friday, September 9th this year back out at the Fiahlo Family Hangar on 18th Ave. Once the honorees have been named, tickets will go on sale July 12th. NOMINATE TODAY! Did you miss the Google workshop? Be on the lookout for an E-Blast from Brittany with all the information you need to make sure your business is on the map! UPDATE In testimony before the Assembly Judiciary Committee on June 21, CalChamber Policy AdWhy is being online so important? vocate Jennifer Barrera explained that although 97% of consumers look online for local SB 899 provided a limited list of “gendergoods and services. neutral” reasons a good may be priced differently, proof of those reasons would come up 4 out of 5 consumers use search enonly after litigation has already been filed and gines to find local information nearby. costs and attorney’s fees incurred. The committee also delayed voting on SB 899 37% of businesses have claimed a local during the June 21 meeting. At that hearing business listing on a search engine. there was much discussion among the committee members about whether the bill’s language could be amended to deal with their concerns. The Lemoore Chamber reminds you that your small business voice CAN be heard, and this is a perfect example . Rockin’ the Arbor 6-10pm Every Friday through August 26th Source: 1. BIA/Kelsey, User View Wave VII, March 2010 2. Google/Ipsos MediaCT/Purchased, Understanding Consumers’ Local Search Behavior, May 2014 3. MarketingSherpa, 2012 Search Marketing Benchmark Report– SEO Edition, June 2011 Quickbooks Workshop Thursday, July 14th 8:30am-4pm Kings Co. Office of Ed. Lemoore Chamber Newsletter PAGE 2— July 2016 has always been one of my favorite J uly times of year, due to our Nation’s Independ- ence Day. At a very young age, I was introduced to a musical titled, “1776,” which is based on the story of our first Continental Congress, debating vehemently whether our country should pull away from the tyrannical rule of King George in Great Britain. During the play, we listen to our forefathers wrestle with the precise wording of our Declaration of Independence, in the heat of a blistering Philadelphia summer. The play ends with the liberty bell tolling as all 56 signers names are called to sign the historical parchment. As a young child, the music inspired me, often to annoyance of my family! As I grew older and learned in school about that time in history, my understanding caught up with the significance of the story. To this day, I still reflect fondly on my memories of the musical, as a representation of the giant leap of faith those men made to secure our freedom. I also still find myself humming along to some of the colorful songs which shaped a big part of who I am. The following is one of my favorites: “THE EGG” Adams: It's a masterpiece, I say! They will cheer every word, every letter Jefferson: I wish I felt that way Franklin: I believe I can put it better Now then attend, as friend to friend On our Declaration Committee For us I see immortality All: In Philadelphia City Franklin: A farmer, a lawyer, and a sage A bit gouty in the leg You know it's quite bizarre To think that here we are Playing midwives to an egg All: We're waiting for the chirp, chirp, chirp Of an eaglet being born We're waiting for the chirp, chirp, chirp On this humid Monday morning in this Congressional incubator Franklin: God knows the temperature's hot enough To hatch a stone, let alone an egg All: We're waiting for the scratch, scratch, scratch Of that tiny little fellow Waiting for the egg to hatch On this humid Monday morning in this Congressional incubator Adams: God knows the temperature's hot enough To hatch a stone Jefferson: But will it hatch an egg? LEMOORE CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Board Chairwoman Frances Perkins: Best Western Inn & Suites Chairman-Elect William A. Parry: Hammerschmidt Broughton Vice Chairman Johnny Perez: Best Buy Market/IGA CFO David Endo: Hanford Elementary School Dist. Past Chairman Victor Rosa: Lemoore Union Highschool Dist. Directors John Miller: Ramblin’ Rose Florist Michele Costa-Ruble: DaCosta Farms Dustin Fuller: TulareLake Drainage Dist. Deanna Patterson: Tachi Palace Jeff Babb: Agusa, Inc. Jody Ruble: West Hills College Lemoore Amy Ward: Lincoln Military Housing Ex Officio Director Marlana Brown: NAS Lemoore Adams: The eagle's going to crack the shell Of the egg that England laid All: Yes, so we can tell, tell, tell On this humid Monday morning in this Congressional incubator Franklin: And as just as Tom here has written Though the shell may belong to Great Britain, The eagle inside belongs to us! All: And as just as Tom here has written We say to h*** with Great Britain! The eagle inside belongs to us! CHAMBER STAFF Jenny MacMurdo Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Brenda Martin Events Coordinator/Office Manager [email protected] Brittany Reece Membership Coordinator/YEA! Program Manager [email protected] Lemoore Chamber Newsletter French Toast, Turkey Wraps, and Prime Rib -these are just a small sampling of what you can find at one of the oldest and well known restaurants in Lemoore. The Vineyard Restaurant has been serving up delicious meals for 20 plus years. I had a chance to sit down and talk to Joe Jones, whose family has owned The Vineyard Restaurant for the past 22 years. While he has not always worked for his parents, he knew it was time to come home and help his mother keep the business alive after his dad passed away while Joe attended college in Arizona. Joe worked his way up from busboy to General Manager and now over sees most restaurant operations. The Vineyard Restaurant is open every day from 7am-10pm to serve you some of the best breakfast, lunch or dinner in the Central Valley. The only day they are closed is Christmas Day. The Vineyard Restaurant offers a menu full of All American Cuisine to please any palette. They continue to offer their mouthwatering prime rib on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Like most small businesses, there are challenges to overcome in the restaurant industry. Since the Vineyard Restaurant has been around for many years, there has always a Best Western Inn & Suites Lemoore has been once again recognized for their excellence in Customer Service by the online tourism website, TripAdvisor! They were ranked #1 out of 6 local hotels for the FOURTH year in a row! We congratulate our award winning chamber member on their commit- PAGE 3— July 2016 fear of becoming stale or stagnant. To combat complacency, Lucy Jones, the owner (and Joe’s mom!), and other staff are always trying to think of new and different things to offer. They remove less popular items from their menus and come up with new items to feature on their menu each year. On each table you will find a phone number that you can text to let the restaurant know about your service, food, and overall experience. You can also suggest ways that they can improve their menu or service. Customer feedback is taken very seriously and they have even added some of those suggestions to their menu, such as Sweet Tea, and Grits, which makes this southern girl happy. “We want to be known for great service and great food, so customer feedback is very important to us,” Joe explained. Another way that the Vineyard Restaurant keeps up with their competitors is their presence in community events. Not only do they serve up fantastic tritip here at Rockin the Arbor every Friday night during the summer, they host half our chamber luncheons throughout the year. They cater several events; including, area golf tournaments and MIQ dinners. “We have the local Boy Scout Troop come put up flags at our restaurant, and we help sponsor organizations like the Naval Aviator Memorial and other local charities,” says Joe. The Vineyard Restaurant has some exciting things that are going to start, including live music on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. In fact it was a huge hit when Drew Quindt, “The California Kid,” performed for their Father’s Day brunch. So, be on the lookout for those dates and bands to be released. Thank you to The Vineyard Restaurant and Jones family for continuing to serve excellent food accompanied by excellent service to the families of Lemoore and surrounding areas. ment to upholding outstanding business values which people have come to expect from Lemoore businesses! Congratulations to Artistic Designs Hair & Nail in Lemoore for celebrating their 15th Year Business Anniversary! We are so glad to have you in our Downtown, and are looking forward to another 15 years! Kings Area Rural Transit (K.A.R.T.), will be rolling out “Free Ride Friday” on the first Friday of the month! It is available to all KART passengers, existing and new! Let them take you to work, school, or play for the day. Free Rides are available on any KART Fixed Route Bus. Lemoore Chamber Newsletter PAGE 4— July 2016 L Los Angeles Daily News By Richard K. DeAtley, Staff Writer ike a late crop, some state laws passed in 2015 are ripe for enforcement on July 1, including new rules for disability insurance, wage garnishment and drivers of ready -mix concrete trucks. There are also some important deadlines coming up for a state law on piecework compensation. Title: Disability Insurance Law: SB667 What it says: It eliminates a second seven -day wait period for disability payments, if the recipient is applying for the same or related condition and already has gone through the initial seven-day wait. Extends the disability benefit period from 14 to 60 days. What it means: The author, Sen. HannahBeth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, “argues that the unpaid waiting period places an unnecessary hardship on workers managing a chronic health condition and discourages employees from returning to work as soon as, and for as long as, possible,” according to a state Assembly analysis. “This bill is a common sense reform that will give workers with serious health issues better access to much needed (state disability) benefits.” The extension of time to 60 days also addressed chronic conditions and treatments with courses that can last over weeks, such as chemotherapy. Title: New Wage and Garnishment Restrictions Law: SB501 What it says: It reduces the amount a debtor’s take-home pay can be garnished to the lesser of 25 percent of weekly pay, or 50 percent, if that net pay exceeds 40 times the state or local minimum wage. Exceptions are child support and government debt. What it means: The law was primarily created for minimum-wage earners who found nearly all their net pay could be exposed to garnishment, said Pascal Ben- yamini, a labor and employment attorney and partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath. “If someone was making $10 an hour, the state minimum wage, under the previous law there was a potential they could give up almost all their income to garnishment and take very little home. In the view of the state, that was putting the individual into further poverty,” he said. Title: Piecework Compensation Law: AB1513 What it says: It requires that in addition to piecework production, workers also must be compensated for rest and recovery periods and “other nonproductive time.” The exposure time for retroactive pay, including interest, is July 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2015. The legislation grew out of two 2013 California appellate court decisions that declared piecework rate only pays for production time, and that there should be separate compensation for the other defined periods. What it means: Although the law took effect Jan. 1, employers need to know two key deadlines. July 1 is the deadline for employers to notify the state Department of Industrial Relations of their intention to make back pay with interest to piecework employees by Dec. 15, 2016. By doing that, the employer has an affirmative defense until Jan. 1, 2021, to legal actions based on failure to pay in the categories AB1513 describes. “For auto mechanics or apparel workers ... there can be some down time between one piece of work and when you start the next. The legislation is intended to capture the payment for that down time,” as well as rest breaks and other categories listed on wage stubs, Benyamini said. Also of note: AB219: Prevailing wages must be paid to drivers of the ready-mix concrete trucks used in California public works projects. It applies to those type of contracts awarded on or after July 1. AB1245: A more-than-halfway warning. This law requires employers with 10 or more workers to use the e-file system for unemployment insurance by Jan. 1, 2017. The mandate will include all California employers by 2018. Sick Pay: If you work in the city limits of Los Angeles or San Diego – annual sick pay days will go above the California minimum 15th job creator bill identified this year, provides employers with the opportunity to accommodate employees’ needs as well as business demands by allowing employees to request a voluntary, flexible workweek agreement that can be repealed by the employee at any time with proper notice. The CalChamber and a coalition of chamber CalChamber Advocacy By Jennifer Barrera of commerce and employer groups are supporting SB 985 because it seeks to eliminate California Chamber of Commercesupported job creator bill providing the burdensome alternative workweek elecemployers with the flexibility to accommo- tion process and allow the employee the opportunity to request a four, 10-hour day date employees’ needs is scheduled to be workweek schedule that will address the considered by the Senate Labor and Indusneeds of both the employer and employee. trial Relations Committee on June 22. Continued on page 5 SB 985 (Berryhill; R-Twain Harte), the A Lemoore Chamber Newsletter VETERANS CORNER Automobile and Special Adaptive Equipment Grants F inancial assistance, in the form of a grant, is available to purchase a new or used automobile to accommodate a Veteran with certain disabilities that Joe Wright resulted from an injury or diseaseVeterans incurred or aggravated during active Services military service. The grant may also be paid if disabilities are a result of medical treatment, examination, vocational rehabilitation, or compensated work therapy provided by the VA. The grant is paid directly to the seller of the automobile for the total price (up to $20,174) of the automobile. The Veteran may only receive the automobile grant once in his/her lifetime. The Veteran must have one of the following disabilities to qualify for the automobile grant: Loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet; Loss, or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; Permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to a certain degree; or a severe burn injury; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Those qualified for the automobile grant, and those with ankylosis (immobility of the joint) of one or both knees or hips resulting from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated by active military service may also qualify for the adaptive equipment grant. Adaptive equipment includes, but is not limited to, power steering, power windows, power seats, and special equipment necessary to assist the eligible person into and out of the vehicle. The adaptive equipment grant may be paid more than once and it may be paid to either the sellWorkweek Bill continued California is one of only three states that requires employers to pay daily overtime after eight hours of work and weekly overtime after 40 hours of work. Even the other two states that impose daily overtime requirements allow the employer and employee to essentially waive the daily eight-hour overtime requirement through a written agreement. California, however, provides no such common -sense alternative. Rather, California requires employers to navigate through a multi-step process to have employees elect an alternative workweek schedule that, once adopted, must be “regularly” scheduled. This process is filled with potential traps for costly litigation, as one misstep may render the entire alternative workweek schedule invalid and leave the employer on the hook for claims of unpaid overtime wages. Small Employer Relief PAGE 5— July 2016 er or the Veteran. Our office is available to answer any questions you may have and assist you with any claims for benefits. The Kings County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the new California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license and also issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Scott Holwell if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To determine if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com/vets. Veterans Employment Committee Looking for New Members he Kings County Veterans Employment Committee (VEC) is comprised of both public and private sector members who are interested in the employment issues of our local veterans’ community. The VEC promotes the importance and advantages of hiring, training, and retraining highly qualified veterans. Veterans have the proven ability to quickly learn new skills and concepts. They possess identifiable and transferable skills proven to achieve success. They understand practical ways to manage and achieve goals even in the most trying circumstances. They are trained to lead by example as well as through direction, delegation, motivation and inspiration. Objectives of the VEC include providing a “clearinghouse” for questions, concerns, and recommendations concerning the effective- T SB 985 would relieve employers, especially smaller employers, from the administrative cost and burden of adopting an alternative workweek schedule. Pursuant to SB 985, at the request of the employee, an employer would be able to implement a flexible work schedule that allows the employee to work up to 10 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, without the payment of overtime. Employers should be able to negotiate through a written agreement, revocable by either party, the daily/weekly schedule that satisfies the needs of both the employee(s) and the employer. Action Needed The CalChamber is urging members to contact their senators and members of Senate Labor and Industrial Relations to ask them to support SB 985. An easy-to-edit sample letter is available at www.calchambervotes.com. ness of employment services that are provided by EDD/One-Stop and available to veterans in our community. The VEC confers regularly with EDD/One-Stop staff on policy matters and recommendations to improve and expand the services provided to veterans. The VEC is currently looking for new members who are committed to improving employment and training opportunities for veterans, as well as sharing and receiving updated information on issues that affect employment of veterans. The VEC is specifically looking for new members from NAS Lemoore and the local business community. The VEC meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday at 3:00 pm at the Veterans Hall in downtown Hanford. If you are interested in becoming a member of the VEC please contact Scott Holwell at 852-2661. The Kings County Veterans Service Office can complete the DMV Veteran Status Verification Form for the new California Veteran Designation on your driver’s license and also issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Scott Holwell if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To determine if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com/vets. Scott Holwell, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Deputy Veterans Service Officer for Kings County. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230; call (559)852-2669; or e-mail [email protected]. Tentative Agenda Items for JULY City Council Public Hearing: Prop 218 Notice Water Rate Hearing Levy of LLMD/PFMD Resolution Designation of Voting Delegates/ Alternates for League Conference 1st Reading: Massage Ordinance 1st Reading: Shopping Cart Ordinance 1st Reading: Sidewalk Liability & Repair Ordinance 1st Reading: Feral Cat Ordinance Lemoore Chamber Newsletter PAGE 6— July 2016 1 Chamber Office Closed Noon-5pm Vets/Seniors Breakfast 2 Community Swap Meet 7am City Park 7:30-9am Vets Mem Bldg 3 Mooney Museum Open Noon – 3:00 p.m. 4 Independence Day Chamber Office Closed Lemoore Parks & Rec 4th of July Celebration 5K/3K, Volleyball Tournament & Inflatable Fun! 10 Mooney Museum Open Noon – 3:00 p.m. 17 Mooney Museum Open Noon – 3:00 p.m. 11 Senior Center Lunch 11:30am-Noon 18 Senior Center Lunch 11:30am-Noon 5 Senior Center Lunch w/ Bingo 11:30am-1pm City Council Mtg 5:30 & 7:30pm 12 Senior Center Lunch w/ Bingo 11:30am-1pm 19 Senior Center Lunch w/ Bingo 11:30am-1pm 6 Personal Defense Workshop 11:30-1pm Train Depot Lunch Provided Senior Center Lunch 11:30am-Noon BINGO 6 p.m. /Senior Center 7 Senior Center Lunch w/ Bingo 11:30am-1pm 13 Senior Center Lunch 11:30am-Noon BINGO 6 p.m. /Senior Center 14 Senior Center Lunch w/ Bingo 11:30am-1pm 25 Senior Center Lunch 11:30am-Noon 26 Chamber Board Mtg 7am Senior Center Lunch w/ Bingo 11:30am-1pm 9 7:30-9am Vets Mem Bldg ROCKIN’ THE ARBOR BAND: THE HEAT 6-10pm Quickbooks Workshop 8:30am-4pm Kings Co. Office of Ed. in Lemoore 20 Senior Center Lunch 11:30am-Noon BINGO 6 p.m. /Senior Center 21 Senior Center Lunch w/ Bingo 11:30am-1pm 27 Senior Center Lunch 11:30am-Noon BINGO 6 p.m. /Senior Center 28 Senior Center Lunch w/ Bingo 11:30am-1pm No City Council Mtg 24 Mooney Museum Open Noon – 3:00 p.m. 8 Vets/Seniors Breakfast 15 16 Vets/Seniors Breakfast 7:30-9am Vets Mem Bldg ROCKIN’ THE ARBOR BAND: DANNY MILLSAP BAND 6-10pm 22 23 Vets/Seniors Breakfast 7:30-9am Vets Mem Bldg ROCKIN’ THE ARBOR BAND: FABULOUS ENCHANTMENTS 6-10pm 29 Vets/Seniors Breakfast 7:30-9am Vets Mem Bldg Community Breakfast 8:30am Tachi Bingo Hall God’s Bread Box Packing 2pm @ Christ Church ROCKIN’ THE ARBOR BAND: ROCKVILLE 6-10pm God’s Bread Box Distribution 9am-11am @ Christ Church 30
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