January 2015 - Lemoore Chamber of Commerce

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LEMOORE DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Lemoore LifeStyle
300 E. STREET LEMOORE, CA 93245
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
It is the mission of 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 Lemoore Naval Air Station, City, Education, Tourism Business and Agricultural interests.
300 E Street, Lemoore, CA 93245 • (559) 924-6401 • www.lemoorechamberofcommerce.com
January 2015
2015 Lemoore Citizen, Business & Organization of the Year to be Awarded
O
n Friday, January 23rd,
2015, a wonderful group
of individuals will be
awarded for their service to their
community. The following is a
brief explanation of how deep
their dedication runs.
2015 Citizen of the Year:
Robert (Bob) Clement
Bob Clement has helped to
shape Lemoore into the community it is today. Robert M.
Clement was born and raised in
Lemoore, California. He attended Lemoore Elementary School,
Mary Immaculate Queen School,
Lemoore High School and West
Hills College in Coalinga. Bob
played baseball, football and
basketball in high school. While
at West Hills College he played
baseball. He then transferred to
Fresno State where he earned a BA
in Physical Education and a minor
in Social Science, then went on to
receive his MA in Education from
the University or LaVerne.
Bob began teaching at his alma
mater, Lemoore High School, in
1971. This was just the beginning
of a lifetime devoted to the youth
of Kings County and the Lemoore
community as a teacher, coach,
civic leader, devoted church supporter, and service club volunteer.
Bob was the head baseball
coach for 28 years. In addition
to forming the lives of our students and athletes, he played an
integral part in the renovation of
the Lemoore High baseball facility. While at Lemoore High, Bob
also coached football on the varsity and lower levels. Bob had
the honor of having his baseball
jersey retired by Lemoore High’s
baseball team and was selected
as the California State Baseball
Coach of the Year in 1998.
Bob is on the Board of Directors
of the Lemoore High School
Foundation having served in that
capacity since 2004.
In 1999, Bob left Lemoore High
School it become the Athletic
Director at West Hills College
Coalinga. While in Coalinga, Bob
helped coach the football team,
participated in Academic growth
and oversaw an upgrade in the
athletic facilities.
In 2007, Bob became Athletic
Director at West Hills College
campus in Lemoore. Under Bob’s
leadership, the Lemoore campus
added men’s and women’s golf,
men’s and women’s soccer, cross
country, wrestling, and women’s
basketball. Bob also played an
integral role in the planning of the
Golden Eagle Arena. Bob played a
key role in bringing state community college athletic championships to West Hills College which
infused dollars into the local
community. The Lemoore community played host to visiting
teams competing in community
college soccer, golf, and wrestling
championships.
Bob has served on the Lemoore
Planning Commission since 1995
and served as chairman for two
terms. He has devoted 19 years to
the growth and development of
the City of Lemoore.
Bob is also very active in his
church and has served as a church
leader for several years. As a matter of fact, Bob was instrumental
in the planning of the new St.
Peter’s Catholic Church, serving
as co-chairman of the St. Peter’s
New Church Building Fund
Committee from 2000-2011.
Although Bob retired from
West Hills College as the Athletic
Director in January of 2013, he
is still an active member of our
community. He is currently
beginning his third term as the
president of the local Kiwanis
Club. This year, Bob took over for
the late Bill Henry as Chairman of
the Kings-Tulare All Star Football
Game Committee, and Bob also
serves as one of the announcers at the Golden Eagles Women’s
Basketball games.
“Behind every good man there
is a great woman.” Bob has been
married to the beautiful Paulette
for 28 years, and we would be
remiss to say that Bob wouldn’t
be the man he is today with her.
As you can see, Bob is without
a doubt a pillar in the community.
His lifetime of outstanding and
selfless contributions to the community of Lemoore most certainly meet all the requirements for
the 2015 Lemoore Citizen of the
Year!
2015 Business of the Year:
FAST Federal Credit Union
FAST employees and volunteers
(Board of Directors, Supervisory
Committee, Ambassadors) are an
active part of the communityvolunteering as many as 3,000
hours each year to serve various
charities and events. They sponsor and provide financial education, Character Counts! and
Ethics Day Conferences throughout the year in local schools.
Most recently, FAST raised
almost $1,000 for UCP Day to
celebrate abilities and to create a
life without limits for those in our
community. In November, FAST
sponsored a Christmas Tree at
Soroptomist’s Festival of Trees
to help raise funds for programs
to improve the lives of women
and girls. FAST also sponsors the
Lemoore Chamber’s Student of
the Month, where students are
recognized for showcasing a
Character Counts! Pillar, as well
as the Dollar Dog Contest at
the Annual Central Valley Pizza
Festival each year.
To give you a little background,
FAST Credit Union was the first
57th Annual Installation &
Awards Banquet
Wednesday, January 14th at Noon
Friday, January 3rd at 6 p.m.
Tachi Palace Willow & Sequoia Banquet Rooms
Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino / 3rd Floor Bingo/Banquet Hall
See page 3 for luncheon info
See page 2 for event info
Chamber Luncheon
local credit union. They started
in 1953 as Kings County School
Employees Credit Union. FAST
served with seven members
depositing $5.00 each. Their
first office was a small garage
in Lemoore. FAST stands for
“Families and Schools Together,”
a reference to their history.
Although they still serve schools,
they are now a community credit
union with membership open to
anyone who lives, works or worships within Kings County.
FAST Federal Credit Union
is a full service, not-for profit,
member owned, financial institution dedicated to serving the
financial needs of their members.
Their profits are returned to their
members in the form of higher
dividends, lower interest rates
on loans and many other low or
no-fee products and services.
They have saved Members over
$1 Million in interest and fees by
simply looking at the loans and
credit cards they currently have
and seeing if they can improve
them. “We call it a free financial
checkup. We either save them
money or give them $20. It’s a
Win-Win!”
Their motto is, “We make it
fun. We make it simple. We do
it…FAST”, and they do just that!
The Chamber thanks you for
your continued dedication to our
See Awards; Page 7
Christmas Parade
Winners
See page 6 for Full List
PAGE 2 – January 2015
Lemoore LifeStyle
A Message from Jenny Mac
Thank you for your Service!
I
t is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to five
of our Chamber Board of Directors this year. Skip
Nugent, Michael Patterson, Don Warkentin, Noe’
Ambriz and Melinda Larson will be stepping down
from their many years of service as their terms have
ended. They will all be missed, but we feel honored to
have benefited from their presence for so long.
Skip Nugent, owner of Best Buy Markets, has served
on the Chamber Board since 2009 and was the Board
Chairman in 2013. Skip has donated generously to virtually every chamber event over the past six years, volunteered countless hours selling tickets and bartending,
driven parade dignitaries in the Christmas Parade and
has always been a calm, reasoned voice on the board. Skip
and his wife Misty have also been a huge presence in our
community with their fundraising efforts for Children’s
Hospital Central California called “Happy Hearts”, in
honor of his daughter. Although his term is over, we know
we will continue to see Skip’s influence in our community.
Michael Patterson, Director of Hotel, Spa, Wardrobe
and Retail Operation at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino,
has also served on the Chamber Board since 2009 and
was the Board Chairman in 2011. Michael’s clear sense
of business ethics and fairness have been an enormous
benefit to the Board, helping determine best practices and the most beneficial programs. You would have
always seen Michael and his wife Deana selling tickets
at Rockin’ the Arbor and attending almost every chamber event, from banquets, to luncheons and the Central
Valley Pizza Festival. Michael never steered us wrong,
and we could trust his advice and leadership throughout the years. Thank you, Michael, for lighting the way.
Don Warkentin, President of West Hills College
Lemoore, served on the Board since 2009 as well and
held the title of CFO since 2012. Don has volunteered
for the Christmas Parade alongside the Kiwanis for
years, bartended at both the Pizza Fest and Rockin’
the Arbor and helped facilitate the Chamber’s use of
the West Hills College Golden Eagle Arena for our
Installation Banquet in 2013 and 2014. Don and his wife
Betty have given back to our community in so many
ways, that in 2014, Don was named Citizen of the Year.
Noe’ Ambriz, Educator of the Leadership Development
Institute for Adventist Health, has served on the
Chamber Board since January of 2012. Noe’s three year
term has been a blessing to us as he has been one of the
most dedicated Board members in history. He donated
to every event, served on many committees and for three
years, Noe’ did not miss one Rockin’ the Arbor to fully
run ticket sales. Although we will miss his smile, we are
incredibly happy for Noe’s retirement from Adventist
Health at the end of 2015, because we know he is excited
to be moving to Mexico and starting his next chapter!
Melinda Larson, Public Affairs Officer at Naval Air
Station Lemoore, served six years as a non-voting
Ex-Officio Director on our Board. Melinda’s busy work
schedule never got in the way of her being our go-to photographer for every chamber event, many times handing
the camera off to then volunteer bartend or sell tickets.
Melinda leaves us for a new job in Monterrey, and I’m sure
I’m not the only one who has told her how jealous we are!
We wish her all the luck in her new city and will miss her.
These five individuals have done so much and now
deserve a little break from it all. We salute all of you for
your dedication and earnest stewardship. For those of you
not moving out of the area, please keep in mind, after the
required one year off the Board of Directors, according to
our by-laws, we would certainly welcome you back!
Lemoore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Chairperson
Victor Rosa - Lemoore Middle College High School
Chairman-Elect
William A. Parry - Hammerschmidt Broughton
Vice Chairman
Frances Perkins - Best Western Inn & Suites Lemoore
Past Chairman
Michele Costa - DaCosta Farms
CFO
Jeff Babb - Agusa, Inc.
Directors
John Miller - Ramblin' Rose Florist
John Roush - Lemoore Stadium Cinemas
Dustin Fuller - Civic Minded Individual
Chamber
Staff
Jenny MacMurdo
Chief Executive Officer
ceo@lemoorechamberofcommerce.com
Diana Perez
Office Manager
staff@lemoorechamberofcommerce.com
Brenda Martin
Events Coordinator
Deanna Patterson - Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino
Johnny Perez - Best Buy Market
Jody Ruble - West Hills College
David Endo - Lemoore Middle College High School
Ex- Officio Directors
Marlana Brown - NAS Lemoore
Jeff Laws - City of Lemoore
Phone: (559) 924-6401
Fax: (559) 924-4520
Website
lemoorechamberofcommerce.com
Lemoore LifeStyle
January 2015 – PAGE 3
IRS Announces 2015 Standard Mileage
Rates; Business Rate Increases
(December 12, 2014) The Internal
Revenue Service has issued the 2015
optional standard mileage rates used to
calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning January 1, 2015, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car
(also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will
be:
• 57.5 cents per mile for business miles
driven (up from 56 cents in 2014)
• 23 cents per mile driven for medical
or moving purposes (down half a cent
from 2014
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of
charitable organizations
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.
Taxpayers 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.
Sunday
Paid Sick Leave Law: A Look at
Employer Compliance Options
With the signing of the legislation mandating
that employers provide employees with paid sick
leave starting July 1, 2015, many employers are
questioning what options they have to comply
with the new law and how existing or newly
adopted employer policies will coordinate with
this new mandate.
AB 1522 (Gonzalez; D-Sherman Heights;
Chapter 317) provides employers with three
options by which to satisfy the requirement to
provide employees with paid sick leave, thereby
offering employers some flexibility to implement
a new or existing policy.
Accrual Method
The first option employers have to provide
paid sick leave is the statutory mandated accrual
method that requires an employee earn one hour
of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
Under this option, an employer will have to
track the hours of each employee to determine
when the employee has accrued one hour of paid
sick leave. An employer may cap an employee’s
accrual at six days or 48 hours. Any accrued,
unused paid sick leave must be carried over to
the following year.
‘Front Loading’ Policy
The second option for providing paid sick
leave is a “front loading” employer policy that
provides an employee with at least three days
or 24 hours of paid sick leave, paid leave, or paid
time off at the beginning of each year.
Under a front loading policy, an employee
does not accrue leave during the year, as the
employee receives all of the paid sick leave or
paid time off on the first day of the year. Under
this option, an employer does not have to track
the employee’s hours for accrual and does not
have to carry over any unused paid sick leave.
Employer Policy
The third option is an employer policy that
provides an employee with at least three days or
24 hours of paid sick leave in a 12-month period,
year of employment, or calendar year.
Under this option, an employer can determine
the accrual rate or method, so long as the annual
amount provided to all employees is at least
three days or 24 hours of paid sick leave, paid
time off, or other paid leave.
Specifically, Labor Code Section 246 (e)(2)
was amended into the bill at the end of session to
address employers’ concern that although they
generally provide at least three days of paid time
off or paid sick leave each year to their employees,
the accrual method may not be on an hourly basis.
See Law; Page 7
January 2015
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
NEW YEARS DAY
Chamber Office Closed
4
Mooney Museum
Open Noon – 3:00 p.m.
5
Employee Training Day
Chamber Office Closed
6
7
Employee Training Day
Chamber Office Closed
BINGO
6:00 p.m., Senior Center
8
Saturday
2
3
Vets/Seniors Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Bldg.
9
10
Vets/Seniors Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Bldg.
City Council Meeting
7:30 p.m.
11
Mooney Museum
Open Noon – 3:00 p.m.
12
13
Ambassador Mtg
1pm
Freight Room
14
15
Chamber Luncheon
Noon-1pm
Tachi Palace
BINGO
6:00 p.m., Senior Center
18
Mooney Museum
Open Noon- 3:00pm
19
20
21
22
MLK Jr. Day
Chamber Office Closed
25
26
27
CBOD Mtg
7am
Chamber Office
17
23
24
Vets/Seniors Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Bldg.
th
57 Annual Chamber
Installation & Awards
Banquet - 6:00 p.m.
Tachi Palace
City Council Meeting
7:30 p.m.
Mooney Museum
Open Noon - 3:00 p.m.
16
Vets/Seniors Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Bldg.
RSVPs DUE for
Installation Banquet
28
29
30
Vets/Seniors Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Veterans Memorial Bldg.
Community Breakfast
8:30-10am, Tachi Palace
31
PAGE 4 – January 2015
Luncheon Guests gather around food by Gibson’s Catering
Lemoore LifeStyle
Karina Escobedo-Lemoore Middle College High School November Student of the Month and her teacher.
2014 Chamber Holiday
Luncheon Thank You’s
Door Prize Donations
Ramblin’ Rose Florist – Fresh Christmas Wreath
Blue Door Massage & Spa- Gift Certificate
Lisa Munde Photography- Gift Certificate
Fatte Albert’s- Gift Certificate
Best Buy Market- Gift Certificate
Elite Performance - T-shirt & 30 Day Gift Certificate
Comcast Business - Gift Basket
Best Western Inn & Suites -Gift Basket w/ Gift Certificate
Lemoore Stadium Cinemas -Movie Passes
Family Eye Care- Gift Baskets
Décor a Lemoore -Centerpiece
Farmer’s Fury – 6 Bottles of Wine
Holiday Music
Michelle Semas & Dave Bezinque
Catering
Train Depot Freight Room all decked out for the Holiday Luncheon
Kim Gibson - Gibson’s Catering
Lemoore LifeStyle
January 2015 – PAGE 5
PAGE 6 – January 2015
Christmas Parade Thank You’s
Major Sponsor
Terry O’Hare, DMD –Kings Dental Group
Associate Sponsor
Agusa, Inc.
Judges
Dave Dack
Debbie Muro
Chris Brazil
Judy Holwell
Rick Rayburn
Ed Martin
Lindsay Fuller
Ben Luis
Announcers & Attendants
Jay Salyer
Sandy Salyer
Tony Oliveira
Mike Madden
Parade Committee
Jeff Babb
Grace Garst
Ayla Tidwell
Dennis Fuller
Mike Madden
Virgil Powell
Jay & Sandy Salyer
Dustin & Lindsay Fuller
Kyle Reynolds
Jeff Blain
Vehicles & Drivers for Parade Dignitaries
Brooke Warkentin
Jesus Garcia
Melinda Larson
Doug Verboon
Keller Motors
Jeff Levinson
Refreshments for Parade Dignitaries, and Judges donated by
Frances Perkins, Lemoore Best Western Inn & Suites
Starbucks, Lemoore
Plus the Many who helped make this Parade a Success
Stoney’s Sand & Gravel
Lisa Franks- Educational Employees Credit Union
City of Lemoore
Public Works Department
Maintenance & Fleet Department
Streets & Refuge/Trash Dept
Volunteer Fire Department
Police Department
Volunteers in Policing
Lemoore Kiwanis Club
Lemoore NAS Barrier Guard Volunteers
Lemoore High School Water Polo Team
Lionel Garza & Boy Scouts Troop 480 - sponsored by American Legion Post 100
Lemoore Stadium Cinemas
Dave Bezinque & Michelle Semas
Lemoore LifeStyle
CONGRATULATIONS!
2014 Lemoore Christmas Parade WINNERS
Auto Category
1st Handford Trailbusters 4wheel Drive Club
2nd White Top Restaurant
3rd Kings Cab
Cheerleaders
1st Lemoore Youth Cheer
2nd Lemoore High School Pep Squad
3rd Lemoore Recreation Cheer
School Floats
1st Total Childcare Center
2nd Lemoore Preschool
3rdCYP
Commercial & or Community Floats
1st South Valley Community Church
2nd Girl Scouts Troop 406
3rd Boy Scouts Troop 480 & Girl Scout Troop 2258
Bands
1st Lemoore High School
2nd Liberty Middle School Marching Band & Colorguard
3rd Lemoore Middle College High School
Animals
1st Valley Animal Haven
2nd Laton Lions Pokey
3rd Kings Co. Pygmy Goat Club & Island 4-H Dog Care Marching Units
1st Cub Scout 402
2nd Fresno Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group
Misc.
1st Lemoore Church of the Nazarene
2nd Kings Dance Center-Dancers Unlimited
3rd John Mayfield
New Members
Deli-Delicious
Scot & Mary Goble, Owners
855 N. Lemoore Ave.
Lemoore, CA 93245
Mailing Address:
4014 E. Wood Ave.
Laton, CA 93242
559-730-8400
delid31@deli-delicious.com
Renewing Members
Ensignal, Inc.
Kings Eye Center Medical Group
Dr. Forte, Yang, Beard, Keck & Poindexter
Lemoore Real Estate
Rotary Club of Lemoore
Visalia Rawhide
Lemoore LifeStyle
January 2015 – PAGE 7
Prop. 65 Warning Proposal Merits Business Concern
The latest proposal by the state Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
(OEHHA) to revise Proposition 65 warning
requirements should be of concern to business,
the California Chamber of Commerce warns in
a video report.
The revised regulation would not add more
meaningful information regarding how businesses present Proposition 65 warnings and
would further increase the risk of litigation.
CalChamber Policy Advocate Anthony
Samson says in the latest CalChamber Capitol
Report that there is cause for alarm, first due
to the “sheer costs to the business community,” which will be extraordinary. Second, the
proposal will do far more to alarm consumers
and less to inform them, he says. Finally, the
proposal will invite “extraordinary new avenues
for increased litigation under Proposition 65.”
CalChamber is urging business to voice
concerns to OEHHA on the proposed warning
changes. CalChamber comments are posted at
www.calchamber.com/environmental.
Governor Calls for Reform
In May 2013, noting that Proposition 65 has
been abused by “unscrupulous lawyers driven
by profit rather than public health,” Governor
Edmund G. Brown Jr. proposed reforms to
strengthen and restore the intent of Proposition
65.
Specifically, the Governor proposed to end
frivolous, “shakedown” lawsuits; improve how
the public is warned about dangerous chemicals; and strengthen the scientific basis for
warning levels.
Proposition 65 Requirements
Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water
and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, requires
California businesses with 10 or more employees to provide a clear and reasonable warning
before knowingly and intentionally exposing
individuals to chemicals known to cause cancer
and/or reproductive z.
In order to comply with Proposition 65, a
business must:
• Assess whether it releases, or its products
contain, Proposition 65-listed chemicals;
• Determine whether its consumers may be
Awards
Their canned food drive on the morning of the Christmas Parade assisted with
Presents on Patrol and the 6th Annual
Community Christmas Dinner. They also
held their second annual Kings Lions New
Year’s Eve Party on December 31st. Their
major fundraisers throughout the year also
include the Kings Lions Brewfest and the
Lings Lions Luau.
The Kings Lions have given generously to numerous organizations in our area
including the Lemoore Senior Citizens
Center, Lemoore Police Explorers Program,
the Lemoore & Hanford Youth Boxing
Programs, the Lemoore BMX Bike Riders,
a Stratford Youth Soccer Team, the Naval
Air Station Lemoore Aviators Memorial
Association, the Sarah A. Mooney
Historical Museum, the Badge of Brothers,
Lemoore Christian Aid, God’s Bread Box,
the Lions International Rose Parade, and
the adoption of Kings Lions Complex (formerly 19th Ave. Park). Recently, the Kings
Lions delivered backpacks filled with
school supplies to needy students in our
area schools and just held a vision clinic
for patients in need of eye care surgeries,
glasses and exams.
They were also voted “Best Non-Profit
Organization of the Year” by the Hanford
Sentinel Reader’s Choice Awards and
selected by their 4a2 District as the “Top
Club” for their district. It is with great
pleasure that we award Kings Lions Club as
the 2015 Organization of the Year!
See page 3 for more information about
the Banquet and please join us as we celebrate these extraordinary honorees!
Continued from page 1
community!
2015 Organization of the Year:
Kings Lions Club
Since their charter was established on
October 15th of 2013, the Kings Lions Club
has looked for ways to serve the citizens
of Kings County and the City of Lemoore.
They are made up of 40 hard working and
motivated community members. Their
membership is diverse in every way, truly
representing Lemoore and Kings County’s
diversity.
The Kings Lions actively seek out
opportunities to help those in need in our
own backyard as well as internationally.
Their very first community service project
was the Tanglewood Apartment Fire last
year. When they heard that there was a
tragic fire that displaced several families,
the Kings Lions Club was first on the scene
to organize and deliver much needed food
and supplies directly to the affected families, even before the Red Cross had arrived.
That is what makes the Kings Lions Club
and our community great, the willingness
to get involved and help our neighbors in
need.
Their list of accomplishments is clearly
very impressive. As of December 1, 2014,
they have donated over $24,000 back to
our community and countless man hours.
exposed to a listed chemical at levels that necessitate a warning (that is, “when” to warn); and
• Determine (if a warning is required) what
the warning must say (that is, “how” to warn).
Recent Regulatory Efforts
OEHHA has initiated three significant regulatory undertakings in 2014. Most significantly,
OEHHA has proposed a substantial regulatory
overhaul of the “clear and reasonable” warning
requirements, which address the “how to warn”
question.
OEHHA also has asked that stakeholders
suggest additional potential regulatory changes
that may help to address the “when to warn”
question, and has further developed regulations
related to a Labor Code requirement for adding
chemicals to the Proposition 65 list.
Warning Regulations
On March 7, 2014, OEHHA proposed a “preregulatory” draft regulation overhauling the
existing requirements for “clear and reasonable” warnings under Proposition 65.
The proposal, according to OEHHA, is
“designed to provide more meaningful information for individuals in Proposition 65, facilitate the public’s understanding of these warnings and make the warnings more consistent.”
OEHHA also noted that the proposal “is
intended to implement the Administration’s
vision concerning improving the quality of the
warnings being given and providing certainty
for businesses subject to the Act.”
On June 12, 2014, CalChamber submitted an
extensive comment letter, also signed by nearly
140 California-based and national organizations and businesses of varying sizes that, collectively, represented nearly every major business sector on which OEHHA’s proposal would
Law
Continued from page 3
A majority of employers allow employees
to accrue paid leave on a pay period basis,
as it is easier to administer, especially for a
large workforce, than tracking each individual
employee’s hours worked.
Section 246 (e) reflects such employer policies by stating that an employer does not have
to provide sick leave in addition to what they
already offer if the employer policy either:
• mirrors the accrual, carry over and use
requirements set forth in AB 1522; or
• provides employees with at least three
days or 24 hours of paid sick leave each year,
regardless of the actual accrual rate.
Interpreting this section otherwise would
essentially render Section 246 (e)(1) meaningless. Section 246 would not provide two
options for an employer policy if the intent
and requirement was that any employer policy
had to match the specific accrual method set
forth in AB 1522.
Moreover, Section 246 (e)(2) is not just limited to “front loading” policies, as such poli-
have an impact.
The coalition explained in detail why
OEHHA’s proposal actually undermined the
Governor’s calls for reform. Specifically, the
proposal would:
• substantially exacerbate the already-problematic Proposition 65 litigation climate;
• further increase consumer alarm and confusion about Proposition 65 warnings;
• significantly decrease business certainty;
and
• dramatically increase compliance costs and
defense costs for businesses of all sizes.
The comment letter addressed virtually every
provision of the OEHHA proposal, explained
the basis for the coalition’s opposition, and
provided recommendations where appropriate.
On September 23, 2014, OEHHA circulated a
revised draft of the regulation to several stakeholders, including CalChamber.
In an informal memorandum dated October
10, 2014, CalChamber noted that the revised
draft, while an improvement from the original draft, still contains significant flaws that
undermine the Governor’s calls for reform.
Additional refinements are needed to the
improvements identified above, and some of
the major flaws, including the requirement to
specify one or more of 12 specific chemicals, are
still present in the revised regulation.
Next Steps
CalChamber continues to work with OEHHA
on a revised regulatory proposal, which OEHHA
anticipates will be released for formal rulemaking comment in late 2014 or early 2015.
Staff Contact: Anthony Samson
© 2014 California Chamber of Commerce
cies are separately recognized in the bill under
Labor Code Section 246 (d). Section 246 (d)
references subdivision (e) to acknowledge that
an employer must have a policy for front loading, not to limit Section 246 (e)(2) to only a
front loading policy.
Nothing in 246(e)(2) requires that an
employer provide the three days or 24 hours at
the beginning of the year; it just requires that
an employer provide an employee with three
days or 24 hours of paid time off or paid leave
each year.
Flexibility
These three options provide an employer
with the necessary flexibility to determine
which method of offering paid sick leave fits
best with the employer’s specific workforce
and environment. Employers have until July 1,
2015 to determine which option to utilize.
Under any of the three options, however,
the employer must allow an employee to use
the accrued paid sick leave or paid time off for
the same purposes and under the same conditions as set forth in AB 1522. Any employer
policy should reference these purposes and
conditions.
Staff Contact: Jennifer Barrera
© 2014 California Chamber of Commerce
PAGE 8 – January 2015
Lemoore LifeStyle
CHAMBER
MEMBER
IN THE
administration, and massage technique. Ayla and Grace met at Milan Institute in
Visalia where they became instant friends when
they realized that they had a shared interest in
horses. They’ve always dreamed of starting a
massage spa together and knew that the small
town of Lemoore would be a perfect fit for their
vision of Blue Door Massage & Spa. Once their
idea formed legs, they were off and running.
Within a matter of months, all of their planning had come to fruition. As fortunate would
have it, they stumbled across 212 D Street, an
office that was converted from an old home in
downtown Lemoore, and an ideal location for
creating a home-like feel for their customers.
Once they were able to procure their Lemoore
business license, and make some beautiful and
elegant décor additions, Blue Door Massage &
Spa opened its doors on August, 15, 2014.
Grace and Ayla both live in Lemoore and,
“cherish (their) little downtown economy.” “
We would love to see more small business come
into Lemoore, and the Chamber of Commerce is
“Your escape is just beyond the blue door…”
It is with great pride that the Chamber recognizes Blue Door Massage & Spa as our Chamber
Member in the Limelight this month. But even
more than what Blue Door does for the community; it is what these two new 20-something
business owners have achieved in just a short
amount of time. It is their story that we’d like to
highlight as an example of entrepreneurship in
our small town, which is alive and well!
Back in early 2014, Grace Garst
and Ayla Tidwell began the process of making their dream a reality.
Ayla Tidwell is a co-owner of Blue
Grace Garst & Ayla Tidwell, Owners
Door Massage and Spa. A country
girl originally from Stratford, Ca, she
212 W. D Street, Lemoore, CA 93245
attended Kings Christian School,
where she met and married her high
559-308-3796 / 559-381-6820
school sweetheart, Jake. She has
Email: thebluedoorlemoore@gmail.com
been a certified massage therapist
since 2009 when she graduated from
Website: www.thebluedoorlemoore.com
Milan Institute in Visalia, Ca.
Before launching Blue Door
Massage and Spa she was self
employed, working out of a room she subleased such an asset to anyone who wants to get started
from a chiropractor in Lemoore, Ca. She used here,” says Grace. “We are so blessed to be in a
her massage business to put herself through service industry that allows us to take care of
College of the Sequoias then Fresno State and people. The biggest reward we receive is when
graduated in 2012 with a degree in accounting. we are able to help someone relax, find some
She’s had to grow and manage her own busi- tension relief and de-stress.”
You have more than likely seen the duo out
ness while juggling the workload of being a full
time student. Ayla has been a member of the and about in the community this past fall and
Lemoore Chamber of Commerce and has been winter. They have been going into local businesses and local organization’s fund raisers and
actively involved in her community. Grace Garst is a co-owner of Blue Door providing free chair massage stations. They set
Massage and Spa and also a country girl origi- up their massage chairs and give out free 10
nally from Reedley, Ca. She has been a certified minutes chair massages for a group of people
massage therapist since 2009 when she gradu- on location. “It’s always so rewarding to be able
ated from Milan Institute. Just out of school she to treat people when they aren’t expecting it!”
subleased a room in Jazz Productions Salon and They were also involved in Rockin’ the Arbor,
Spa in Visalia, Ca. She then partnered with a Friday Night Market, Holiday Stroll, volunteered
chiropractor in Visalia as his marketing director on the Lemoore Christmas Parade Committee,
and launched a massage therapy element to his sponsored a table at the Annual Kings County
practice. She helped him grow and establish his Salute to Agriculture Banquet, and donated gift
business while honing her skills in marketing, certificates for every Chamber event.
Blue Door Massage & Spa
If you’re interested in what they have to offer,
their services include customized massage services, facial skin treatments, waxing, airbrush
makeup, and eyelash extension. Spa parties
have been a big success as well at Blue Door.
They hosted various groups of friends celebrating birthdays, company employee appreciation
days, and women’s groups. They block off a
section of time in their calendar to be open
just for them. Providing mini-services to larger
groups and full services to smaller groups while
they sip, snack and chat. “This is a great way to
celebrate while pampering those around you.”
Since their opening in August, these dynamic
women have made a name for themselves in our
community. They have had so much business
that they were able to add another member
to their staff, an aesthetician, to expand their
services. Most importantly though, Ayla made
a special addition to the Blue Door family on
December 5th, 2014 when she welcomed her
first daughter, Kittia. We are so happy for Ayla
and her new one!
It goes to show that age does not matter in
business; intelligence, hard work, integrity and
community really make the difference. Please
join us in celebrating the success of these two
lovely ladies, and help them stay successful by
SHOPPING LOCAL-SHOP LEMOORE!