direction on land use and transportation). The positive outcome from this advocacy moved the City of Modesto to create a new Comprehension General Plan.
As the “Voice of Business” in the business community, the Chamber has supported “business-friendly” candidates for Modesto City Council, and Mayor, Stanislaus Board of Supervisors, State Senate, State Assembly, and other local races, whom we believe will encourage businesses to locate and thrive in Modesto. We proactively work to relieve the regulatory burdens businesses endure due to local and State Agencies. We led the charge to defeat an anti-growth measure, that if passed, would have stemmed economic growth and jobs for Modesto. When our new Mayor was elected, he formed a 100-day committee to study the effectiveness and efficiency of City government, and look for ways to cut costs. The Chamber had three board members that served on his committee; one result of this committee was to identify funding to allow for the City to hire 22 additional, muchneeded police officers. Your Chamber also formed a Public Safety Committee headed by former Mayor Jim Ridenour to search for answers in sustainable financing for public safety services. After the city was unable over two campaign cycles to convince voters to tax themselves for more city funding, the Chamber empaneled a committee to address the issues. In collaboration with city officials, elected officials, and the
CECIL RUSSELL 100 Day Review Committee, the committee made observations andrecommendations to the city on how to streamline services, improve collaboration and delivery of services and additional opportunities for revenue enhancements. We have developed a strong relationship with MID and TID, working to support the relicensing of Don Pedro Dam to secure our steady and reliable source of water. We have joined MID, TID, and our local legislators in Sacramento, in the fight to maintain our water rights and to help stop the state water agency from grabbing our water—water that is not only the lifeblood for our agricultural businesses but for all of the other businesses and households in our community. Assembly member Adam Gray has been a strong advocate for our water rights. We have also supported candidates that have run for board seats on MID that will support local business and all other ratepayers on a fair and reasonable for price electricity. Our focus is to advocate and support current and future businesses that will create more jobs and economic growth for all. A good example is the growth of our health industry, now a major part of our growing economy. With Kaiser Permanente, Doctors Medical Center, and Memorial Medical Center, we have some of the best medical care in Northern California. Doctors Medical Center has expanded into Valley Heart Institute and Darroch Brain & Spine Institute. Along with Care One Home Health/ Hospice, Central Valley Medical Group, Central Valley Specialty Hospital, English Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Hospital, First Choice Physician Partners, Stanislaus Surgical Hospital, and many others, we have worked and partnered with new businesses that have located in Modesto. Last year, we welcomed HealthSouth Rehabilitation to Modesto with their new multi-million-dollar facility. We also supported the Koelsch family to build the El Rio Memory Care Community and The Park at Modesto Independent Senior Living Community.
2013
2017
“Pathway to Job Growth and Prosperity” – The Chamber’s plan served as a foundation for updating the city’s general plan.
Worth Your Fight
SERVICE
Last year we collaborated with the the local cities and the County, StanCOG, Farm Bureau, Police Organization, and many other groups, to pass a self-help transportation measure that will raise the necessary funds to improve our transportation infrastructure throughout the County. Craig Lewis has been the driving force for the Chamber for many years to help educate the voters of the need and economic impact in our region this transportation measure with have for decades. Paul Van Konynenburg was the chairman of the Committee that unified these entities to come together to pass this measure. Since the election, he has been selected by the Governor to serve on the California Transportation Commission. He is only the second individual from the Central Valley to serve on this Commission, with the Chamber advocating and obtaining written letters in support of his appointment. Going forward, we will continue to advocate and encourage the ACE Train to be expanded to Modesto.
“IF NOT THE CHAMBER, THEN WHO?”
2016
Stanislaus voters approve Measure L (Transportation Tax) DECEMBER 2017
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