Volume 13, Issue 2 Published by the Martinez Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau Summer 2015

Page 2 Martinez Living Summer 2015

Martinez Chamber of Commerce

2015 Board of Directors & Officers

Adam Hoffert Chairman of the Board

AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah

Dwayne Glemser Past Chairperson

Les Schwab Tire Center

Janet Kennedy Chairperson Elect

JHK Consulting

Will Frisbie Treasurer & Finance Chair

Lemonade Accounting

Laura Philpot Secretary

Eco Services

Richard Munoz Vice President

Connolly & Taylor

Marie Knutson Liaison-Martinez Chamber Community

Development Corp. The UPS Store/Republic Services

Board Members

Erin Hallissy Shell Oil Products US Martinez Refinery

Darrel M. Hodge Eco Services

Rami Muth

Martinez Unified School District

Gary Hernandez Martinez Auto Body

Greg Pope Behind the Plate Clubhouse Grill

Brian Nunnally Tesoro Refinery, Martinez

Gay Gerlack Designer

Lara DeLaney ExOfficio

Martinez City Council

Martinez Area Chamber of Commerce 603 Marina Vista, Martinez, CA 94553

925-228-2345 Fax 925-228-2356

Rachel Unpingco, Sales & Marketing Manager

Joyce Deaver, Administrative Assistant

I became a member of the Martinez Chamber of

Commerce as giving back to the community was a key part

of my upbringing here in the East Bay. Since I know

people prefer to do business with those with whom they

know, like and trust, I felt my business as a Life Insurance

Specialist with AAA, one of America’s most trusted brands,

might also benefit. I’ve learned over that time Chamber

Membership is about so many things more than I could

have imagined.

Certainly my business has grown because of my membership; really the key to

that growth is involvement. Attending mixers, volunteering at events, serving

on committees, spending four years as an ambassador, now my fifth year as a

board member, and serving my second term as chairman have introduced me

to people who may have people in their lives who they love and want to give

them the selfless gift of protection with life insurance. More importantly, they

may know someone who has the need. The next time the subject comes up in

conversation, I’m the first one of whom they think.

Involvement in other chamber events can be great resources. We hosted a

lunchtime seminar in which the topic was “Changes to human resources laws

in 2015.” One business owner pulled me aside afterwards to share that the

information provided was well worth his annual membership investment as the

information learned saved him thousands in legal consulting fees, not to

mention a great lunch from Kinder’s BBQ. There are countless stories of

potential businesses locked in negotiations with landlords. A call or letter from

the chamber helped the two parties reach agreements to open in town.

There are so many collaborations among businesses that I’ve witnessed

because of chamber membership. I remember a credit union and tire store

collaborating some years ago. The credit union needed a grand prize for a

marketing promotion. Because the CEO of the credit union and the tire store

manager met at a chamber mixer, a great prize was put together from the tire

store’s inventory to be displayed at the credit union and each business had

marketing materials in each other’s location. I look at another business who

buys coupons from a restaurant to thank their best customers, or maybe

sometimes to mend a relationship that went south. One of my favorite recent

success stories is a friend who was losing her job because her company was

shutting down after 25 years of employment. Because of relationships forged

at mixers and other volunteer activities, she spent less than two weeks

unemployed and the interview process was just a formality.

While my original goal was merely to put “footprints in my community” because

my parents trained me that it’s the right thing to do, I’ve gained lifelong

relationships that will help my business and help this community continue to be

great. I hope you will maximize your membership and ask how you can get

involved.

I look forward to seeing you at the 9th Annual King of the County BBQ

Competition and Music Festival. This year looks like it is shaping up to be our

best year yet!

Chairman’s Message

Adam Hoffert, Chairman of the Board - Martinez Chamber of Commerce

Page 3 Volume 13, Issue 2

New Chamber Members

Land Home Financial

Slow Hand BBQ

American Cancer Society

Chevron

Sally Severns - State Farm Insurance

Sam’s Club – Concord

Mr. Lucky’s of Pleasant Hill

Star July Productions

Caspian Pacific Alliance, Inc.

Quality Inn – Martinez

Renewal Memberships Citrus Salon

Valley Jewelers

Busby Construction

Denise’s Family Law & Divorce Documents Assistance

Dr. Mona Mokarram, DDS

Angelo Costanza, Attorney at Law

Sunflower Garden

Since the beginning of April, Martinez finally has a permanent city manager. Rob Braulik took

the helm of the SS Martinez and has been navigating a course through the shoals of unfinished

business. Although our interim city managers have done an excellent job of keeping the ship

afloat, Rob is clearing the decks and setting the course forward.

Financially the city is sound with a balanced budget for 2015-2017. We will be starting this

fiscal year with a “rainy day fund” of $4.5 million which is a reserve of 21%. Positive trends for

the city are a recovering economy, increase in permit revenues, increasing property values and lower

unemployment. Negative trends are significant CalPERS rate increases, a reduction of sales tax due to a loss of a

major business. We are working to recapture some of that loss in the next year.

The city council recently adopted a 5 year capital improvement program that includes construction of a bridge over

Alhambra Creek from Berrilessa to the north Intermodal parking lot, signal lights at C Street, completion of all

Measure H parks projects (including Waterfront Park, Susana Street Park and Hidden Lakes soccer fields). Paving

projects include C Street, Allen Street, Carquinez Scenic Drive, Haag Road, Glacier at Highway 4, Morello at

Highway 4 and Pine/Center at Highway 4.

Some other key funded items include converting all parking meters to electronic with the goal to finance the

construction of a multi-story parking structure increasing code enforcement to a full time employee, improvements

to the Amtrak station and finally completing and adopting the General Plan. We will also be expanding IT mobile

applications and tools for residents.

The adopted goals of the city council are:

• Fiscal health of the city

• Infrastructure improvements

• A safe community

• Improving economic health of residents and business

• A high performing government

I am confident that the city council can attain these goals with Rob Braulik as our city manager.

A Word from the Mayor by Mayor Rob Schroder

John Muir Association

Englund’s Café & Catering

MTZ Auto Repair

Apple Appraisal

Stepping Stones Learning Center

Mark Woodard - State Farm Insurance

Albert Turnbaugh – Attorney at Law

Martinez News Gazette

Roxx on Main

ARTU4iA

U.S. Bank – Martinez

Martinez Early Childhood Center

Contra Costa CAER Group, Inc.

Les Schwab Tire Center

Martinez Arts Association

Eco Services

Light Speed Systems

Kinder’s Meats – Concord

PakMail Center of Martinez

IBEW Local # 302

Home Depot – Martinez

Lemongrass Bistro

Dream Makers Bath & Kitchen - Walnut Creek

Anderson Bros. Movers

Aloha Chiropractic

Martinez Marina

Loaves & Fishes of Contra Costa

Chateau Pleasant Hill

Hein Lighting & Electric

Pet & Home Care

Wing Stop – Martinez

RemodelMe Showroom & Cabinet Design

Renaissance Club Sport

S.P. Automotive

Shell Western States Federal Credit Union

Regency Apartments

Behind the Plate Clubhouse Grill

State Farm Insurance – Matt Rinn

Page 4 Martinez Living Summer 2015

4000 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA 94553 925-228-4700

www.connolly-taylorchapel.com FD#: 154

Who We Are

Our professional staff has years of experience caring for families from all walks of

life. We are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service and professional

integrity.

When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and

affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and

products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design

a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families

who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind

because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Our History

Our firm traces its roots back to 1921, when our first facility was dedicated. Many years later, this location has seen

renovations and changes, but has always been and will continue to be an integral part of this community.

Over the years, the original mission of the firm hasn't changed. We have always intended to provide the best, most

professional services, complemented by the finest products. Today, we pride ourselves on being current with the

major changes in funeral service trends - and bring those innovations and memorialization options to our client

families with integrity and insight.

Pictured from left to right:

Rose Clyne, Young Woman of the

Year; Barb Lofton, Ambassador of the

Year; Claudia Whitnah, Lifetime

Achievement; Barbara Chambers,

Woman of the Year; John Viano -

Viano Vineyards, Business of the

Year; Rami Muth, Teacher/Educator of

the Year; Dwayne Glemser, Man of the

Year; Harrison Brown, Young Man of

the Year

Congratulations to all award winners.

Volume 13, Issue 2 Page 5

First “Paving the Green Path” 2015 Recycling Champion Awards Go To Bill’s Ace Hardware and Martinez Jr. High

On Wednesday, June 3rd, two commercial accounts of Republic Services received the first “Paving the Green Path” 2015 Recycling Champion award for their recycling and diversion efforts at the City Council meeting in Martinez. Those recipients were Bill’s Ace Hardware and Martinez Jr. High.

Mayor Rob Schroder opened the award presentation. “The City and Republic Services partnered in 2012 to implement the “Mandatory Commercial Recycling” program as required by Assembly Bill 341. The goal of AB341 is to divert more materials from the landfill…part of this process was to establish a Commercial Recycling Recognition Program to acknowledge commercial customers that set a positive example through their recycling efforts. In Martinez, schools are considered commercial accounts,” he said.

Marie Knutson, recycling coordinator for Republic Services explained why these two groups had been chosen.

“Bill’s Ace Hardware did not show they had a recycling account. After an audit, I learned how much they were recycling internally: from cardboard and paper to plastic and shrink-wrap,”said Knutson. She added that they have sky lights for natural lighting- a CiraLight system and work hard to educate the public on how to save water, energy, and natural resources. They give back to the community often, are a Chamber Member and a Certified Bay Area Green Business. They inspire change by setting a great example and promoting sustainability.

Martinez Jr. High also received special recognition. They cut their trash to the landfill by 50%, with the help of parent volunteers, supportive instructional and office staff and a custodial team that went above and beyond to make it work. That was not an easy task with approximately one thousand students in a two-lunchtime period.

“Martinez Jr. High has solar in place and recycles paper in the classrooms. They accepted the changes to implement the recycling program at lunch with open arms and have been helping their students, who are our future, to learn sustainable practices with great success,” Knutson said.

The Martinez Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate both winners on a job well done!

Above, pictured left to right, are Councilmembers Lara

DeLaney and Mark Ross, Mayor Rob Schroder, Bill

Wygal (owner, Bill’s Ace Hardware), Councilmembers

AnaMarie Avila Farias and Debbie McKillop, and Marie

Knutson, (Recycling Coordinator - Republic Services

Above, pictured left to right, are Councilmembers Lara

DeLaney and Mark Ross, Mayor Rob Schroder, Zachary Pless

(Vice Principal, MJH), Michael DeFrancesco (Principal, MJH),

Councilmembers AnaMarie Avila Farias and Debbie McKillop,

and Marie Knutson, (Recycling Coordinator - Republic

Services

Ribbon Cuttings on the Horizon

June 25, 2015 - 5:00pm 729 Castro Street

Martinez, CA 94553

July 3, 2015 - 5:00pm 725 Ward Street

Martinez, CA 94553

For Main Street Martinez Events,

please visit

http://mainstreetmartinez.org/events

Page 6 Martinez Living Summer 2015

Next Chamber Mixer Great Networking, Food, Fun, Raffle Prizes

(bring a raffle prize and have your business announced!)

Thursday, July 9th, 2015: 5:30-7:30pm

Co-hosted by IBEW #302 and NECA

at the IBEW #302 Training Center

1255 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553

2015

The month will highlight the famed history of the Martini as a part of the rich history of Martinez. The birth of the

Martini was the result of a miner who walked into a Martinez saloon and requested a bottle of Champagne to

celebrate his gold mining success. As the bar did not have Champagne, the bartender offered him a “Martinez

Special,” today known as the Martini.

Celebrating 100 Years

August Martinez Chamber Mixer Thursday, August 13

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Shell Clubhouse 1635 Pacheco Blvd, Martinez, CA 94553

Page 7 Volume 13, Issue 2

...CHAMBER HAPPENINGS...

April Mixer hosted by

Good Times Then and Now

& Beaver Creek

Smokehouse

May Mixer

hosted by

HJB Hoses

and Rodan

& Fields

Martinez Chamber of Commerce

603 Marina Vista

Martinez, CA 94553

PRESORTED

STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

CONCORD CA

94520

Permit 346

Martinez Refinery