As I write this column, leaders from the Chamber, City, and other businesses and organizations are engaged in a vigorous and important dialogue about what steps can be taken to help stimulate our economy.   The final shape of that program will emerge over the next several weeks and will, by necessity, include compromises by all to create a program that works.   It’s important to recognize that there are fundamental differences in approach and philosophy at work and those involved are working hard to find common ground.

Recently, the new Visalia City Council met for its annual planning session.   They spent the better part of two days receiving updates and providing direction to the city staff on issues ranging from gangs to open space preservation to economic development and long-range city planning.   At the end of the retreat, the Council identified five areas where they indicated they wanted increased emphasis and focus during the coming year.    These include economic development, finishing the West Visalia/Scenic Corridor plan, identifying a local economic stimulus program, streamlining the building permit process, and combating gangs in our community.

One of the key functions that your Chamber plays is that of facilitating dialogue and communication between business leaders and elected officials.   At times we serve as your voice, sharing information with our elected officials and their staff to help influence decisions which will impact business for good or for worse.   At other times, our role is to help get everyone in a room and create an opportunity for the two groups of leaders to share information, perspectives, and visions with each other.

For the past 29 years, the businesses and citizens of Visalia have stepped forward to provide the financial support needed for our non-profit organizations to be able to advance their missions of supporting those in our community who find themselves in need.   The Chamber has been proud to have been involved in these efforts and gratified by the support we have received for the annual Christmas Tree Auction, which has served for three decades as a catalyst for bringing together those who can with those who do.

Earlier this month, voters in Visalia went to the polls and dramatically changed the leadership of our City.   Three seats on the City Council were up for election, with two incumbents trying to hold onto their positions and as many as eight others challenging them for the opportunity to lead the City for the next four years.    Voters clearly were in a mood for a new direction as they elected three new members for the first time in memory.

For reasons I’m sure our biologist friends could explain, we humans seem to like the notion of seasons...it seems the idea of starting and stopping seems to be comforting to us.   Some seasons run longer than others and some are better defined than others, but the overall concept of organizing our worlds into identifiable units continues.

Chambers of Commerce exist to accomplish four key objectives, namely to help create a strong local economy, promote the community, provide business networking opportunities for our members, and to represent the interests of business to government.   During the past several months, your Chamber has been working hard to re-focus on these core competencies and to ensure that we are doing the best we can at each.

Change is coming to Visalia.   The City recently agreed to engage in a comprehensive update of our General Plan – the first in nearly 20 years.   An election will be held in the next couple of months which could change the make-up and dynamics of local leadership.   The good news is that your Chamber has been preparing for these changes and is ready to engage as the leading voice for protecting those things that make Visalia work as a community and advocating change where it will make us more competitive and attractive as a place to live and work.

 As we start our new fiscal year, we welcome new leadership on the Board of Directors and new volunteers on our various committees.   We are excited about the program of activities and initiatives that your Board has approved for the coming year – all of which are designed to make us more responsive to member needs and to increase the value that comes from being a member of the Chamber.

Later this month, at the Annual Awards Celebration, your Chamber will select a Man and Woman of the Year and four Businesses of the Year (Small, Medium, Large, and Agri-Business).   The good news is that the pool from which we are able to select a winner in each of these categories is deep and impressive.   The down side is that only one business and individual will win in each category.