Business News 37

A PUBLICATION OF THE TURLOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

WINTER 2019

ISSUE 37

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www.turlockchamber.com

115 S. Golden State Blvd.

Turlock, CA 95380 209-632-2221 Hours: Mon. - Fri. • 10am - 2pm info@turlockchamber.com BOARD CHAIRS Gina Blom & Nathan Dabulewicz EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sue Micheletti

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

Irene Holmes

EVENTS COORDINATOR

Sharon Berry

Feature Best of Turlock Winners

12

6 7 8 9 10 11 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Our Purpose The Turlock Chamber of Commerce is the business advocate for its members by focusing efforts on promoting a positive business environment, economic development, a legislative voice and costeffective programs and services.

On the cover New Chamber Leaders Photo by C Padilla

Published by The Turlock Journal 138 S. Center St., Turlock, CA 95380 209-634-9141

BUSINESS NEWS

4

Chamber Board of Directors Chamber Ambassadors Chamber Mixers Ribbon Cuttings Turlock Young Professionals New executive director Lancaster Painting Main Street Antiques 2019 standard mileage rates Water board votes County elected officials Turlock’s first female mayor Legislative scorecards New members and Members for 5-10 years

WINTER 2019

CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR New Year greetings from your Turlock Chamber! The new year always seems to come so quickly as the busyness of the season overcomes us all. Upon reflecting 2018, we all have so much to be thankful for—we live in a wonderful community that truly is one of a kind, filled with support and love for each other as we move through this thing called “life.” The Turlock Chamber wants to welcome you and your business partners to become more engaged in the Chamber this year. We want it to be on your New Year’s resolution list to be more involved with your community and local businesses. The Chamber has had a metamorphosis of change that is back to basics---welcoming, networking, helping and FUN! The last quarter of the year we had our monthly mixers at Thorsen’s Plumbing Heat & Air, Turlock Golf and Country Club and the Assyrian American Civic Club for our Best of Turlock event. All events were wonderfully attended and there was such a buzz and energy in the air GINA BLOM NATHAN DABULEWICZ we could hardly get a word in edgewise—everyone was having too much fun, which is a good CO-CHAIRMAN CO-CHAIRMAN thing! Please check all the wonderful honorees from Best of Turlock in your current issue of Rembrandt & Rose’ Nathan Dabulewicz Business News.

We want to recognize our Board Members who have served us so graciously with their time Insurance and talent, James Brenda of JKB Energy/JKB Living, is stepping down after his two year term with us. Jilbert Gevargizi, Steele Insurance Agency, Ambassador Chair, who has also served tirelessly, is handing over the reigns as well. Thank you to the both of you for a job well done.

With the transition at the Chamber, getting all of our new board members and growing membership to make us stronger, Sue Micheletti, current Vice Chair of the Board, is stepping into the Executive Director position for the Chamber. A name well associated with leadership and honesty, the Chamber is pleased to announce that Sue will be taking the helm as our Executive Director. Please welcome her and feel free to reach out, she is a great resource for all of us.

Last, but surely not least, our 2018 fearless leader, Craig Pitau, will be relinquishing his position as Chairman of the Board to Nathan Dabulewicz, Nathan Dabulewicz Insurance and myself, Gina Blom, Rembrandt and Rose’ Paint and Sip, who will serve as co-Chairs of the Board.

In closing, we all want to welcome current Chamber members, the community and friends to visit us at our mixers and events and see what’s new.

Our January Mixer will be held at The Udder Place, downtown Turlock, 110 W. Main St., Tuesday, January 15th, 5-7pm. JOIN US! Will we being seeing YOU? We hope so!

Gina Blom & Nathan Dabulewicz Co-Chairs of the Board

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WINTER 2019

CHAMBER

2019 CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GINA BLOM CO-CHAIR Rembrandt & Rose’

NATHAN DABULEWICZ CO-CHAIR Nathan Dabulewicz Insurance

CRAIG PITAU PAST CHAIRMAN Thorsen’s Plumbing, Heat & Air

PAUL PORTER TREASURER

STEPHEN BACKUS Two Guys Catering/ Red Brick

DEVINDER SINGH BAINS Turlock Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

JAMIE CIMOLI Turlock Direct

SAM DAVID Assyrian American Civic Club

MATTHEW DAVIS GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.

EILEEN HAMILTON Hamilton Farms

JERRY POWELL The Udder Place

ED YONAN Yonan’s Fine Jewelry

NICK ANTRIM TYP PRESIDENT TSM Insurance Services

TOMAS GOMEZ-ARIAS, PHD College of Business Administration CSU Stanislaus

MICHAEL CAMARA President Downtown Association Camara’s Clothier

STEVE GEMPERLE HONORARY Gemperle Family Farms

JILBERT GEVARGIZI AMBASSADOR CHAIR Steele Insurance Agency

2019 TURLOCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF

SUE MICHELETTI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

IRENE HOLMES MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

SHARON BERRY EVENTS COORDINATOR

2019 UPCOMING EVENTS Turlock Young Professionals meet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. the 4th Thursday of every month at Hauck’s Grill January

February

March

10 Legislators MDO

14 Legislators MDO

14 Legislators MDO

15 Mixer- The Udder Place 17 Ambassadors Meeting

18 Presidents Day CHAMBER CLOSED

19 Ag Scholarship Luncheon

24 TYP Meeting

19 Mixer- TBA

19 Mixer- TBA

21 Ambassadors Meeting

28 TYP Meeting

28 TYP Meeting

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TURLOCK CHAMBER AMBASSADORS Brandi LoForti Co-Chair insureCal Insurance Agency (209) 250-0269

Scott Smith GDI Insurance (209) 634-2929

Josh Pitau

Co-Chair Thorsen’s Plumbing Heating & Air (209) 632-3194

Denny Silva US Bank (209) 585-6183

Jilbert Gevargizi Fred Rasuli Steele Insurance Agency (209) 684-9999

Melissa Nunnemaker Umpqua (209) 656-5763

R5 Experiential Marketing (209) 678-7121

Kathy Hobby

Derek Snider

The Education Foundation Ambeck Mortgage Associates of Stanislaus County (209) 633-1730 (209) 238-1701

Camille Austin

Anna Meyers

Rabobank (209) 632-9954

Hampton Inn (209) 664-9729

Teresa Vines Bank of Stockton (209) 669*4508

It is the mission of the Turlock Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Team to promote member commitment and relationships by: • Raising awareness of Chamber activities and benefits • Informing and involving new Chamber members to promote strong continuing membership • Encouraging meaningful and beneficial participation in the Chamber’s programs • Serving as a liaison between the Chamber staff and membership

INTERIORS • EXTERIORS • CABINETS

AMBASSADOR FOR 4TH QUARTER DEREK SNIDER

209-634-1111

Lic #868896

www.lancasterpainting.com BUSINESS NEWS

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WINTER 2019

CHAMBER

M

I

X

E

R

S

1994 HOSTED BY TURLOCK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

NOVEMBER MIXER & SILENT AUCTION

209 MAGAZINE AND THE FRUIT YARD AMPHITHEATER PRESENT:

OF THE

Save the Date!

Sunday, April 28th, 2019 1:00-5:00pm Spend an afternoon sampling food, wine and craft beers from the 209’s finest restaurants, wineries and breweries in the beautiful new outdoor amphitheater venue at the Fruit Yard.

Live music will be performed by well-known local artist Alex Lucero.

Raffle prizes and premier silent auction all benefit UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY!

For Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities

call Taste of the 209 Coordinator Jennifer Webber at (209) 249-3550 BUSINESS NEWS

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WINTER 2019

CHAMBER

R I B B O N

C U T T I N G S

2018 LOVE SALON

2018 WALMART NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET

2018 FOREVER SMILES TURLOCK

BUSINESS NEWS

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WINTER 2019

CHAMBER

WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT

Turlock Young Professionals (TYP) provides people who live and/or work in Turlock with a setting to build relationships and develop their careers. The organization also helps cultivate Turlock's future leaders by providing opportunities to engage with political, civic and business leaders to shape the future of Turlock.

HOW TO JOIN

EXECUTIVE TYP BOARD MEMBERS

This dynamic group is open to anyone interested. You can join the program anytime throughout the year. The membership is $100 annually for working professionals and $50 annually for college students.

Nick Antrim, President Jessica Irish, Vice President Kadi Ingram-Porter, Secretary Rafael Martinez, Treasurer Valeria Jimenez, Marketing Chair Dina Copple, Social Chair Ninfa Lopez-Smith, Professional Development

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

• Gain exposure in the business community • Connect with like-minded people • Enhance your professional development • Mix and mingle with experienced business professionals in a variety of industries • Opportunity to promote business in quarterly Business News magazine

ACTIVITIES

• Meetings are on the fourth Thursday of each month at Hauck’s Grill @ 4-6 pm and feature a member speaker • Professional development workshops • Social and networking events specifically designed for TYP members • Behind-the-scenes tours of Turlock businesses

TYP MEMBERS Cassandra Abram Adrenna Alkhas Michael Allen Ellie Alverion Nick Antrim Vito Chiesa Dinah Copple Odis DeHart Lauren Denton Scott Dignan Claudia Ducheneaux Alisha Fitzgerald Tyler Flaherty

BUSINESS NEWS

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WINTER 2019

Caleb Fontes Jocelyn Hackett Adrian Harrell Lori Hooper Kadi Ingram-Porter Jessica Irish Valeria Jimenez Lacey Kiriakou Jessica Lemus Ninfa Lopez-Smith Sandra Loza Rafael Martinez Aaron Medeiros VIctoria Morad

Melissa Nunnemaker Paul Porter Jeff Quigly Doris Ramos Holly Rasmusson Steven Rivera Dennis Silva Irene Silveira Gary Soiseth Heath Sousa Danny Thompson Joe Torres Yelena Tsymbal Josh Weimer

CHAMBER

Chamber welcomes

new executive director

T

By KRISTINA HACKER

he Chamber of Commerce will start 2019 with new leadership, following the Board’s decision to hire Sue Micheletti to serve as Executive Director.

Micheletti is no stranger to the Chamber. She has served on the Board of Directors for the past three years.

“I’ve seen some of the history and talked with the other board members about what needs to happen to restore the Chamber to its greatness it had from the past,” said Micheletti about her decision to accept the part-time position as executive director.

Micheletti most recently served as CEO at Emanuel Medical Center from 2014 through 2018, when the hospital was purchased by Tenet Healthcare. Prior to EMC, she was the chief operating officer at Tenet’s San Ramon Regional Medical Center for 14 years. She joined San Ramon as controller upon its opening in 1990 and was promoted to chief financial officer five years later.

Since moving to Turlock, Micheletti has been an active member of the community. She was instrumental in bringing the women’s heart heath event Glow Red to town, as well as serving on the board of the Turlock Chamber of Commerce. In 2016, she participated in and won the Dancing with the Turlock Stars, raising nearly $29,000 for local charities along the way and was an inaugural panelist at the Turlock Women’s Leadership Round Table event.

Micheletti said her priorities will be increasing membership while at the same time making the Chamber relevant and meaningful to all business owners.

“I want to make sure business owners in the area see the value of being Chamber members…

Overall goal is to make the Chamber great again,” she said.

Micheletti is stepping into the executive role following two years where the day-to-day running of the Chamber was handled by the Board chairs.

“Hats off to Craig (Pitau) and Robert (Rodarte) before him. They had businesses to run as well as running the Chamber. We all tried to do the best job we could (as Board members). It’s

BUSINESS NEWS

Sue Micheletti

certainly a job for someone focused on the day-to-day operation of the Chamber,” she said.

Micheletti will be leading the Chamber staff, which includes Membership Coordinator Irene Holmes and Events Coordinator Sharon Berry.

The Chamber and the City of Turlock recently agreed on a new lease agreement for the Chamber’s facility on S. Golden State Boulevard. Along with new lease terms, the agreement also includes the suspension of the Chamber’s obligation to continue paying on the $202,500 owed on the Convention and Visitors’ Bureau reimbursement and it releases the Chamber from any obligation to pay off the $90,000 Centennial Committee loan.

“The past challenges with city leadership are behind us; past board chairs worked hard on that. We’re going to work hard with city leaders to make this much better for business owners and the community.

“The goal of the Chamber is to provide a network for consumers to know what’s available to them. It’s also an institution where businesses can really thrive.”  11

WINTER 2019

FEATURE

City’s best

honored

at Chamber awards ceremony

S

By ANGELINA MARTIN

ome of the most galvanizing business, agricultural and philanthropic figures in the region call Turlock home, and on Dec. 13 the Turlock Chamber of Commerce honored eight of those individuals as some of the city’s best and brightest gathered in one place.

The 50th annual Best of Turlock awards, held this year at the Assyrian American Civic Club, took the opportunity to recognize outstanding citizens and their accomplishments in 2018, bringing together Chamber members, community leaders and Turlock supporters for an “Appetizer International Bazaar” featuring local restaurants.

“I think it’s truly an honor to be able to see these people and make sure that we recognize them in the right way,” Chamber Board Chair Craig Pitau said. “They do so much for the community and so much for the overall wellbeing of our town.”

This year’s Best of Turlock event differed from years past in that instead of a formal, sit down event, guests were able to enjoy samples from restaurants like Mundo’s Latin Grill, The Creperie, The Grand Cru, Burt’s BBQ Shak, Vito’s Ristorante and more in a networkingfriendly mixer setting.

“We wanted to do something faster-paced instead of having people sitting in chairs and listening to people speak,” Pitau said. “We wanted to have people mingle, and that’s what the Chamber of Commerce is about.”

This year’s ceremony included awards presented to the Agricultural Leader of the Year, Business Leader of the Year, Educator of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Small Business BUSINESS NEWS

Craig Pitau said he was “honored” to recognize Turlock resident Surjit Malhi as the 2018 Citizen of the Year.

of the Year, two Youth Citizens of the Year and the Citizen of the Year.

This year, Turlock resident Surjit Malhi was honored as Turlock’s Citizen of the Year, who is well-known around town for helping people in need. Even after being targeted in a hate crime earlier this year where vandals attacked him and defaced his truck, Malhi said that his Sikh faith has taught him to always put others first.

Just this year, Malhi helped to feed local homeless individuals, cleaned up area freeways and even sponsored over 200 families affected by the Camp Fire in Butte County, using his own vehicles as transportation for donations.

“These people have done so much — especially Surjit,” Pitau said. “He has truly given back to the community and is just a wonderful person, so for me it was an honor to recognize someone like him tonight.”

Other honorees included: — Select Harvest USA as the Agricultural Leader of 12

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FEATURE

Reverend Jeffrey Woods won the Humanitarian of the Year award.

Dean Doerksen accepts the award for Agricultural Leader of the Year on behalf of Select Harvest USA from Chamber Board Chair Craig Pitau.

the Year. In 2018, the agribusiness combined the best processes of growing, packing, marketing and shipping almonds to 55 countries throughout the world while employing 140 people in Turlock.

— The 2018 Business Leader of the Year was Jack Wilkey. Founded in 1993, Wilkey Industries has since specialized in providing innovative solutions through design, fabrication and installation of processing equipment in agriculture, industrial and manufacturing facilities. The organization not only employs 50 people at their 40,000 square foot facility in Turlock, but Wilkey is also very active in the community, supporting the Chamber, Ag Scholarship Luncheon, Rotary, Stanislaus County Fair, 4-H, FFA and high school sports programs.

— Corine Meyer was recognized as the Educator of the Year thanks to her 28 years of service in Turlock Unified School District, where she works with special needs students as an adaptive Physical Education teacher. She also links families and students with local resources and activities, such as the Special Olympics and the Society for Disabilities bike camps and snow skiing opportunities.

“I’m blessed every Sunday evening because I don’t have to dread the next day — I get to wake up and go be with my kids,” Meyer said as she accepted her award.

— The Humanitarian of the Year was Reverend Jeffrey Woods, who brings pastors and staff from churches throughout the region together for lunches through his nonprofit organization, The Barnabas Leadership Foundation, which has grown to include 150 people. Woods also served as a leader in establishing and organizing the Turlock Gospel Mission, and currently serves on the Emanuel Hospital Patient Care Board.

“Over the 20 years that I’ve lived in Turlock, I can think of hundreds of people who would be deserving of the humanitarian award,” Woods said, naming off teachers, first responders, healthcare workers,

Educator of the Year Corine Meyer receives her award from Chamber Board Chair Craig Pitau.

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PHOTOS BY ANGELINA MARTIN/ The Journal

BUSINESS NEWS

Jack Wilkey of Wilkey Industries receives his plaque naming him as Business Leader of the Year from Chamber Board Chair Craig Pitau.

FEATURE

Craif Pitau presents Pitman High School student Noor El-Nounou with one of the Youth Citizen of the Year awards.

Amy Wilson receives the award for Small Business of the Year from Craig Pitau on behalf of Wahl, Willemse & Wilson CPAs.

journalists and more as worthy recipients. “I am so deeply grateful for a city where people care, where people give and where people go beyond their job.”

— Gary Wahl, Michael Willemse and Amy Wilson of Wahl, Willemse & Wilson CPAs were honored as the Small Business of the Year, recognizing the organization for its 30-plus years of providing quality accounting services to the area.

— Pitman High School student Noor El-Nounou and Turlock High School student Cameran Sherwood were the Chamber’s Youth Citizens of the Year — fitting, as both students are their respective school’s student body presidents.

El-Nounou has made it her goal to teach students and staff about cultural differences, and has been a part of the Mayor’s Youth Conference, Superintendent Student Senate, Key Club, PHAST and even founded Cultural Day at PHS. She is also a member of the school’s poetry club and earns excellent grades.

“I always thought it was so important to celebrate the things that make us different,” she said. “With the help of my student body it’s been amazing, and I’m so thankful to be a part of the Pitman Pride.”

Sherwood this year maintained an impressive 4.1 GPA while enrolled in college prep classes, and has also been on the Principal’s Honor Roll each semester in addition to achieving high enough academic status to be a member of the California Scholarship Federation.

Sherwood also excels in football, basketball and baseball, serving as a leader for the Bulldogs on each team, and also takes time out of every school year to help with Relay for Life.

“I’m so humbled and honored to receive an award like this,” Sherwood said. “I want to thank the staff and faculty at Turlock High School…the way they develop students into great people that grow up to be great leaders in this community is something that I value very much.”  BUSINESS NEWS

Turlock High School student Cameran Sherwood is recognized as a Youth Citizen of the Year by Craig Pitau.

ABOVE: Akheqir Hurmiz of The Creperie cooks up a crepe for attendees at the 2018 Best of Turlock awards, which also featured an “Appetizer International Bazaar” made up of local restaurants; BELOW:An attendee looks at the selection of food available from Mundo’s Latin Grill during the awards event.

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Lancaster Painting

By ANGELINA MARTIN

MEMBER SHOWCASE

1998

Jessica’s House in Turlock was the recipient of the Paint It Forward paint job in April 2018.

JOURNAL FILE PHOTOS

L

ancaster Painting has been a staple in the Turlock community for over 30 years, giving back through hard work that can be seen on the walls of many city homes and businesses.

Chamber of Commerce members since 2005, Lancaster Painting helps home and business owners bring their buildings to life with a splash of color. Thanks to the company’s efforts, many houses in Turlock have been turned into homes and countless companies have enhanced their curb appeal.

“It’s definitely cool to be able to see our work around town,” operations manager Stephanie Talkington said. “It’s funny because it’s such a small town, so people will come in and say, ‘Hey, you painted our neighbor’s house. We want you to paint ours, too.’”

Throughout the years, Lancaster Painting has built relationships with other businesses through the Chamber, Talkington said, forming lasting bonds with others who work and live in the same community.

“Over time the Chamber has let us do a lot of mixing and getting to know other business people…getting our business out there and meeting other like-minded people has been good,” she said.

Lancaster Painting’s services have not only helped to keep Turlock colorful, but have also helped those in need. The company’s special holiday tradition, “Paint It Forward,” seeks nominations annually from the community for people or organizations

TOP: Nadia and Taylor Blakemore were among dozens of volunteers who helped complete Lancaster Painting’s annual Paint It Forward event in 2017; BOTTOM: Nathan Tanquary and other representatives from Lancaster Painting donated a $5,000 paint job to give United Cerebral Palsy’s interior a makeover as part of the Paint It Forward 2017 event.

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WINTER 2019

who would benefit from a complimentary paint job valued at $5,000.

“We have a sense of community here, and it’s nice to give back through Paint It Forward,” Talkington said.

Now in its ninth year, the Paint It Forward program sees the entire Lancaster Painting staff vote for their favorite of the top three nominations, chosen by the management team, at their company Christmas party. While this year’s winner has yet to be announced, Talkington said Lancaster received 60 to 80 nominations.

The winner will receive their free paint job early next year.

In years past, Lancaster Painting has provided paint jobs for nonprofits like Jessica’s House and United Cerebral Palsy, as well as community members like Tom Lombardo, who was suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease, and a family from Ceres who was dealing with both health complications and the loss of a family member.

In addition to Paint It Forward, Lancaster Painting also tries to give back to Turlock in other various ways, like painting the city’s Little League parks before Opening Day. For the company, it’s the least they can do for their valuable companies, Talkington said.

“It’s a way to give back to our community, and for us, it’s a good team-building experience,” she said. “It’s good to be able to give back to a community that gives so much to you.” 

MEMBER SHOWCASE

Main Street Antiques

By ANGELINA MARTIN

M

ain Street Antiques has sat on the road of its namesake for 22 years, selling items that have also seen their fair share of years pass to the ever-growing population of shoppers in downtown Turlock.

Originally opened in 1996 by Richard Soderquist and Lori Smith, the shop sells items from individual vendors who each rent a space within the store. The large quantity of sellers ensures that shoppers always have plenty to choose from while antique hunting, and most of the dealers who rent a space in the store have sold there from the beginning.

After the passing of Soderquist in 2016, Smith now owns Main Street Antiques with her business partner Jennifer Jensen. The pair have always had a passion for antiques; Smith still has an old shoe she salvaged from an abandoned property as a child, while Jensen’s love for the antiquated grew from a desire for fixer-upper items she would find at sales, but was unable to fund a spot for them in her home.

Main Street Antiques has given both women the outlet to embrace their passion, they said, and since 2016 — which was also the shop’s 20th anniversary — the pair has enjoyed the networking opportunities that have come with being Chamber members.

“It’s pretty fun,” Jensen said. “You get to buy stuff that you can’t have at your home, but you still get to have it for a while until somebody else takes it home. It’s always about finding that cool thing that other people will enjoy, too.”

“The hunt is the fun part,” Smith said. “We do the dirty work for our customers.”

Along with items that Smith and Jensen have found by digging through junkyards, barns and yard sales, dealers in the shop sell antiques ranging from their own personal items that they’ve collected over the years to mid-century items. There’s even a dealer who specializes in rare coins, and others also have their own specialties, like another vendor who deals mostly glassware.

Not only do the antique store’s dealers come from different places, but the shoppers do as well. Patrons travel from all over the Central Valley to shop at Main Street Antiques, coming from Lodi, Manteca, Merced, BUSINESS NEWS

16

2016 Los Banos and as far as the Bay Area. A couple from France once visited the business, also, and purchased a vintage 1920s map of California.

“We have groups of people that come specifically to downtown Turlock to shop not just our store, but to go antiquing and eat,” Jensen said. “They’re making a day of it.”

“Downtown Turlock’s reputation has only grown since we’ve been here,” Smith added.

Having been downtown for over 20 years, the store has seen its fair share of change, mostly in what customers tend to buy. According to Smith and Jensen, items like Victorian-era furniture and collectible china that used to sell well no longer do. Now, a younger crowd frequents the store, purchasing items that are often nostalgic or that they can use in their own home.

“It’s changed, and I think it’s because people just don’t entertain in that way with those things anymore,” Jensen said.

“We’re getting younger customers in now who like vinyl, and toys from their childhood,” Smith said.

“Also, a lot of things you don’t see in homes anymore, like rotary phones and typewriters.”

Throughout the years, plenty of exterior changes have occurred as well. In fact, the building Main Street Antiques calls home is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Since the space was built nearly a century ago, downtown Turlock has undergone plenty of change for the better, Smith and Jensen said.

“My favorite part about working here is just being downtown with all of the new shops and the commotion that’s going on every day,” Jensen said.

“We’ve been seeing the people that come in for years — they’re more than just customers. You know them and I think that’s pretty cool,” Smith said.  WINTER 2019

HUMAN RESOURCES

IRS Announces 2019 Standard Mileage Rates

T

he Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued the 2019 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning January 1, 2019, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: — 58 cents per mile for business miles driven (up 3.5 cents from the rate in 2018).

— 20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes (up 2 cents from the rate in 2018).

— 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations (same as 2018).

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile, including depreciation, insurance, repairs, tires, maintenance, gas and oil. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs, such as gas and oil. The charitable rate is set by law.

Employees always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

Under California Labor Code section 2802, employers must fully reimburse employees for all expenses actually and necessarily incurred. Many employers typically choose to use the IRS mileage reimbursement rate, but its use is optional.

The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has stated that using the IRS mileage rate will generally satisfy an employer’s obligation to reimburse for business-related vehicle expenses, absent evidence to the contrary.

However, if an employee can show that the chosen mileage reimbursement rate, even the IRS rate, does not cover all actual expenses the employee has incurred, the employer must pay the difference.

Business vehicle expenses do not include only gasoline, but also wear and tear (depreciation), repairs, oil, insurance and other costs.  — Courtesy of Cal Chamber BUSINESS NEWS

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STATE

Water Board votes to increase flows

D

espite vehement opposition from a broad coalition Valley farmers, governments and organizations, the State Water Resources Control Board voted to approve the contentious Bay-Delta Plan Update, meant to revive dwindling salmon populations by restoring water flows through local rivers.

The result of a nine-year process, the Bay-Delta Plan calls for increased allocation of 30 to 50 percent of unimpaired flows along the San Joaquin River and its tributaries — the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers.

The plan also makes allowances for reduced river flows on tributaries where stakeholders have reached voluntary agreements to pursue a combination of flow and “non-flow” measures that improve conditions for fish and wildlife, such as habitat restoration and reducing predation.

“Californians want a healthy environment, healthy agriculture and healthy communities, not one at the undue expense of the others,” State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus said. “Doing that requires that the water wars yield to collective efforts to help fish and wildlife through voluntary action, which the plan seeks to reward. The collaborative spirit we heard today offers promise and motivation towards that goal.”

A voluntary agreement was reached between Turlock Irrigation District, Modesto Irrigation District and other agencies in Northern California to decrease their water usage on the Tuolumne River and contribute to a fund for habitat improvements — an arrangement that water users, Gov. Jerry Brown and his successor Gavin Newsom hope can make things better

By ANGELINA MARTIN

for the environment without a strict mandate from the water board.

TID and MID, along with their partner San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, asked on Wednesday for more time for an environmental review on the voluntary agreement, and districts opposed to the water board’s plan have the next 30 days to take legal action.

TID is “disappointed” in the State Water Board’s approval of the Bay-Delta Plan, communications specialist Brandon McMillan said Thursday.

“We believe the agreement on the Tuolumne River, which could have been implemented immediately, was far superior to what the Board adopted,” McMillan continued, adding that TID will take “appropriate actions as necessary” within the next 30 days.

The Tuolumne River agreement would require TID and other water districts to make habitat improvements, like expanding floodplains and restoring spawning beds with gravel, as well as increase fish flows — but not as high as the state plan mandates. Farmers would also fallow land to free up irrigation supplies.

Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth called the collaboration “historic,” but environmentalists deemed it inadequate.

An alliance of leading conservation organizations, including the Environmental Defense Fund, Trout Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy, applauded the water board’s approval of the Bay-Delta Plan, calling it an important first step in addressing the ecological crisis in the Delta and calling for ongoing proBUSINESS NEWS

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ductive and transparent discussions among all parties.

“California’s water future looks brighter tonight,” the groups said in a joint statement. “The State Water Board’s approved Phase 1 of the BayDelta Water Quality Control Plan will help us all protect clean water for 25 million residents, support jobs and start the recovery of our 10,000-yearold native salon runs.”

The State Water Board voted 4-1 to adopt the plan, with Valley-native Board member Dorene D’Adamo voting against the plan while also suggesting several amendments which would make the requirements better for local communities.

District 21 Assemblymember Adam Gray applauded D’Adamo’s efforts, though they were in vain, he said.

“Despite the legitimate and comprehensive alternatives put forward by our local irrigation districts, the Water Board shoved their fingers in their ears and adopted the plan as is,” Gray said. “The Water Board had a clear choice tonight. They could have embraced settlement agreements and secured real, tangible improvements for fish and habitat within less than a year. Instead, they chose to adopt their disastrous plan and guaranteed a decade’s worth of litigation.

“We will see you in court.”

Chairwoman Marcus on Wednesday encouraged water users to continue settlement talks, noting that it would take some time to implement the new, regulated standards. The Tuolumne River agreement would deliver water and support for the Delta as early as next year, while there is no current timetable as to when the Bay-Delta Plan would be enacted. 

COUNTY

Swearing-in ceremony set for county elected officials

By ANGELINA MARTIN & JEFF BENZIGER

T

Scott Kuykendall

$98 million in certificate fees. Lundrigan also oversaw 11,000 wedding ceremonies.

During her time as Registrar, Lundrigan and the County elections team conducted over 2.5 million election ballots during 43 elections, oversaw the examination and verification of 1.5 million signatures on candidate petitions and processed over 800,000 voter registration forms. During her tenure, 128 local measures were voted onto Stanislaus County ballots.

Scott Kuykendall will succeed Tom Changnon as Superintendent of County Schools.

Changnon, who will retire when Kuykendall takes over, was sworn into office on Jan. 9, 2007 as the overseer of 25 school districts, including 190 schools and over 106,920 students.

The Stanislaus County Office of Education recently moved into a larger building on H Street in Modesto and now houses the VOLT Institute, which trains participants for trade jobs, as well as the Comeback Kids program, which gives adults who dropped out of high school a second chance to earn their diploma. The Stanislaus County Board of Education unanimously decided to name the new SCOE location the Tom Changnon Education Center.

Birgit Fladager will start a new four-year term as Stanislaus County District Attorney.

Don H. Gaekle remains as the county Assessor and Kashmir Gill becomes the county Auditor-Controller. 

he mantle of the Stanislaus County Sheriff ’s Department will transfer from Adam Christianson to Jeff Dirkse during a Jan. 7 swearing-in ceremony for elected county officials.

The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors will be hosting the 4 p.m. ceremony in the Chambers located in the basement of the City-County Administration Building at 1010 Tenth Street, Modesto. Superior Court Judge Dawna Reeves will administer the oath of office.

A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in the basement lobby.

Christianson's planned retirement at the end of his term will cap off a nearly 30-year career in law enforcement, with the last 12 in the elected position of sheriff.

The swearing in will install Tom Berryhill as the new District 4 county supervisor and mark the start of another four-year term for District 3 County Supervisor Terry Withrow.

Donna Riley will become county Treasurer-Tax Collector.

Donna Linder will succeed Lee Lundrigan as county Clerk-Recorder, after Lundrigan announced her retirement in December.

Over her 16-year stint as the county’s Clerk-Recorder, Lundrigan oversaw over 2.17 million property documents recorded with 375,000 copies issued, 280,000 vital records recorded for births, deaths and marriages with 435,000 certified copies issued, 46,000 marriage licenses issued and BUSINESS NEWS

Jeff Dirkse

19

WINTER 2019

CITY

Turlock’s

first female mayor

takes office

New City Council sworn in; candidates sought for open District 4 seat

D

By KRISTINA HACKER

ec. 11 was a significant day for the City of Turlock, as Amy Bublak became the first female mayor in the city’s 108-year history.

Bublak was sworn in as Turlock’s 23rd mayor, following her decisive win in the November election over incumbent Gary Soiseth, former mayor Brad Bates and Jaime Franco.

Joining Bublak in the Dec. 11 swearing in ceremony were newly elected City Council members Nicole Larson (District 1) and Andrew Nosrati (District 3).

Larson comes into the District 1 seat left open when incumbent Vice Mayor Matthew Jacob chose not to run for office. She beat out three other challengers, including former Council member Forrest White, for the seat. Nosrati won the District 3 seat after receiving more votes than incumbent Council member Bill DeHart.

Following the official swearing in ceremony performed by the City Clerk, the Honorable Judge Ruben Villalobos administered an oath of office special to the City of Turlock.

The oath charges the mayor and council members to “respect the Constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.” The Council members also vowed to keep their private lives “unsullied, as an example to all” and to be “honest in thought and deed” in both their public and personal lives.

“I think it’s an absolutely amazing oath. As I was driving here…I heard that in Washington today everyone was disagreeing, if you can believe it or not, they were. But I tell you what, if in Washington and in every city across this country of ours, the people that are deciding the issues that affect us the most would take this oath that you’re about to take today, we would be a better place — just like Turlock is a better place because of all of you” said Villalobos.

BUSINESS NEWS

After the new Council was seated they jumped right into business taking action on roadway projects sent out to bid, changing the duties of the City Manager and voting on distributing funds for the design and construction management of surface water distribution system improvements.

The Council also set a path for finding a representative for the District 4 seat left open when Bublak won the mayoral race.

Legally, the City Council has 60 days from Dec. 11 to either seat an appointment for the vacancy or call for a special election. The Council chose to seek candidates for appointment, as a special election would be costly.

The Mayor and Council voted to make public participation and transparency part of the application process, as well as having candidates submit signatures of support from residents of District 4.

“As much public participation that we can include in this process the better it’d be. Running for office, just coming off of it, it’s a tough thing, they should have to deal with a little bit of public scrutiny. Don’t want them to just slide into that seat,” said Council member Nosrati.

Residents of District 4 who wanted to be considered for the open Council seat had to fill out an application form and submit their signatures of support by Jan. 7, 2019.

The applications turned in by the deadline will be presented to the City Council at their Jan. 8, 2019 meeting. At that time, the Council will set up a schedule for public interviews and when they will choose a replacement.

For more information about the open District 4 seat, contact Turlock City Clerk Jennifer Land at 209-668-5540.  20

WINTER 2019

SCOREBOARDS

GIL ESQUER

AMY BUBLAK

MATHEW JACOB

COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM

BILL DEHART

MEETING

GARY SOISETH

TURLOCK CITY COUNCIL VOTING RECORD

1.

8/14/18 AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE REMOVAL OF PERSONAL PROPERTY UNLAWFULLY STORED OR FOUND IN A CITY PARK, STREET OR PUBLIC AREA FROM SEVEN DAYS TO 24 HOURS.

Y Y Y Y Y

2.

8/14/18 APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TURLOCK GOSPEL MISSION AND APPROPRIATED $64,000 FOR OUTREACH, NAVIGATION AND DIVERSION PROGRAM SERVICES.

Y Y Y Y Y

3.

9/11/18 ADOPTING NEW FEES FOR CITY RECREATIONAL SERVICES.

Y Y Y Y Y

4.

9/25/18 APPROVING THE RENAMING OF THE TURLOCK CHILDREN’S PLAY PARK AT DONNELLY PARK TO THE AUGUSTA BATES CHILDREN’S PLAY PARK.

Y Y Y Y Y

5.

Y Y Y Y N 10/23/18 AUTHORIZING THE SURPLUS FOR THE ENERGY BURST AND SCANDINAVIAN WOODEN STATUE FOR PUBLIC PURCHASE AND DIRECTING PROCEEDS TO THE GENERAL FUND.

DISTRICT 5 JIM DEMARTINI

DISTRICT 4 DICK MONTEITH

DISTRICT 3 TERRY WITHROW

BOARD AGENDA ITEM

DISTRICT 2 VITO CHIESA

MEETING

DISTRICT 1 KRISTIN OLSEN

STAN. CO. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTING RECORD

1.

8/21/18 APPROVED THE REZONING OF 5.2 ACRES LOCATED ON FAITH HOME ROAD Y Y Y Y Y IN KEYES TO A NEW PLANNED DEVELOPMENT TO ALLOW THE BUILDING OF A LIQUID CARBON DIOXIDE PURIFICATION AND LIQUEFACTION PLANT.

2.

8/28/18 DECLARED THAT STANISLAUS COUNTY IS FACING A HOMELESS SHELTER CRISIS AND REQUESTED ALL CITIES IN THE COUNTY TO ALSO DECLARE A SHELTER CRISIS.

Y

3.

9/18/18 ADOPTED THE 2018-19 RECOMMENDED FINAL BUDGET.

Y Y Y Y Y

4.

9/25/18 AMENDING FARES FOR STANISLAUS REGIONAL TRANSIT SYSTEM AND STANISLAUS ANIMAL SERVICES AGENCY IN TWO SEPARATE VOTES.

Y Y Y Y Y

5.

10/30/18 AMENDED THE MITIGATION PROGRAM FOR THE CROWS LANDING INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS PARK PROJECT TO INCLUDE “IN COORDINATION WITH THE CITY OF NEWMAN.”

Y Y R Y Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

SEE PAGE 23  BUSINESS NEWS

21

WINTER 2019

CHAMBER

The Turlock Chamber of Commerce would like to recognize businesses that have been members for 5 - 10 years!

We thank you for your continued support!

10 Years

Old Republic Title Company

6 Years

Big Tree Organic Farms

Pine Creek Nutrition Service, Inc.

Avalos Mechanical & Fabrication, Inc

Comfort Suites

The Vieira Company

Blue Diamond Growers

Creative Alternatives

California Women for Agriculture

Evergreen Packing, Inc.

7 Years

Gallo Center for the Arts

All Star Trophies and Signs

JenJil Packaging, Inc.

Alpha Poultry & Livestock Equipment Inc.

State Farm Insurance - Dee Hernandez

Associated Feed & Supply

Kindle & Associates LLC

Storage Auction Experts

Caloy Company

New Bridge Management

Sushi Garden II

Carnegie Arts Center Foundation

Swenson Shear

- Stanislaus Chapter Independent Electric Company

City of Turlock Parks,

Turlock Direct

9 Years

Recreation and Public Facilities

Turlock Gospel Mission

Ash Pirayou- Rutan & Tucker, LLP

Golden Bear Physical Therapy

Candlewood Suites

& Sports Injury Center

White Crane Ranch, Inc.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot

Hancock Farmland Services, Inc.

Golden Valley Health Centers

imortgage.com

- Turlock W. Main St.

MK Electric & Design Inc.

JD Almond Farms, Inc.

Nathan Dabulewicz Insurance Agency, LLC

BNI Next Generation Turlock

Larsa Banquet Hall

Scenic Oaks Funding

BNI Turlock Business Partners

Paramount Court Senior Living

Sheila Lowe - Farmers Insurance

GDR Engineering, Inc.

Rabobank - Turlock

Smith Collision Center

Hilmar Health Center/Livingston

Toscana’s

Stanislaus County Affordable Housing

Community Health Services

Corporation

Monte Vista Small Animal Hospital

5 Years Alzheimer/Dementia Support Center, Inc.

8 Years

Sutter Gould Care Center

BNI Business Builders

- Turlock Care Center

Covenant Care at Home and Hospice

Turlock Animal Shelter

Kevin Wright Productions

Turlock Auto Parts

Latif’s Restaurant

Turlock Fire Department

Turlock Monument Co.

Milestone Consulting

Turlock Police Department

Turlock Pregnancy and Health Center

Muller Berry Farms

United Cerebral Palsy of Stanislaus

Wardens Office Products

Thank you for supporting your Business News magazine and for being a Chamber Member since:

Emanuel Medical Center. . . . . . 1966

Lancaster Painting . . . . . . . . . 1998 Allen Mortuary. . . . . . . . . . . . 1970

Supreme Lending

Delta Eye Care

Silk Screen & Signs

Denise Jaynes & Associates

Turlock Post Office

Love Salon Michelle Penney

Winton, Ireland,Strom & Green. . 1976

- Del Rio Nut Company

BUSINESS NEWS

Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office

The Turlock Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome our new 2018 members!

Forever Smiles Turlock Smith Chevrolet Cadillac . . . . . . 1958

Stanislaus Council of Governments

22

WINTER 2019

United States Army Recruiting - Turlock Walmart Neighborhood Market

STAN. CO. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTING RECORD EXPLANATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

3. The Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office recently released

increase is due to the high cost in providing ADA paratransit service

its first ever two-year spending plan. The Recommended Final Budget

throughout the county. Medivan services increased $1.50 for

totals $1.36 billion in the first year of the budget period, which reflects

passengers and $1 for attendants.

an increase of approximately 1.5 percent or $19.8 million for all funds

5. The Crows Landing Industrial Business Park Specific Plan allows

as compared to the 2018-2019 Adopted Proposed Budget. The

for the development of a 1,528-acre site to support a mix of aviation-

General Fund totals $356.6 million, which has increased 3.5 percent

compatible industrial and business park uses, general aviation,

of $12.2 million from the 2018-2019 Adopted Proposed Budget of

aviation-related land uses, public facilities, a multimodal (bicycle/

$344.4 million.

pedestrian) transportation corridor, and supportive infrastructure.

4. StaRT increases approved by the Supervisors range from $0.10

The project is anticipated to develop over 30-years to include a 370-

to $0.60 for cash fares and $0.30 to $4.00 for bus cards/passes to

acre public-use airport and 14 million square feet of building space

the Fixed Route, Shuttle, and Dial-A-Ride services. The $0.60 fare

with the potential to generate 14,000 – 15,000 jobs.

We’ve got the 209 covered.

@209magazine

2 0 9 M A G A Z I N E . C O M

BUSINESS NEWS

23

WINTER 2019

Shhh!

She’s getting to know her grandma.

She may be too young to understand the loss, but she’s never too young to appreciate how special Grandma was. Our DVD tribute is a collection of your family photos provided on DVD for you to replay again and again. Call to find out more.

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