Out & About with Donna
DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance Celebrates 45 Years of Chamber Membership
Out and About columns featuring Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce members have been highlighted for four years in Chamber Weekly. Acknowledged by the Western Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (WACE) as a ‘Best New Program’, the chamber is delighted to resume these articles with this edition. We are pleased to feature the DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance South Bay, a 45-year chamber member.
 
Linda Amato was named General Manager of the Doubletree by Hilton Torrance South Bay in 2002, after serving as the Director of Sales and Marketing since 1996. A full-service hotel, the Doubletree is in the heart of the Los Angeles South Bay offering guests free wi-fi, outdoor pool, business center, free parking, and room service. Read more here.
News
Virtual Meeting with State Legislators
The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce is hosting a virtual meeting with State legislators on September 29th from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Senator Steven Bradford, Senator Ben Allen, Senator Autumn Burke, and Assembly member Mike Gipson will answer questions on homelessness, housing, small business, environment and climate, and the legislative process. To register for the event, please click here.
Thank you, LeRoy Jackson
Last Tuesday, LeRoy Jackson, long time City Manager was recognized.  The Torrance City Council, department heads, staff, legislators, and residents paid tribute to Jackson who is retiring at the end of this month.

Jackson began his career with the City of Torrance in 1966 as a Personnel Analyst.  After serving in various capacities on the City Manager’s staff, LeRoy was appointed City Manager in 1983, becoming the fourth City Manager in Torrance.  

“LeRoy’s successful leadership style incorporates teamwork and humility as its cornerstone. He gives all the credit to our elected officials and to his staff. For this reason, he has been able to work with all the different personalities for all these years,” stated Kirk Rossberg, Chairman of the Board. Read full article here.
Duperron Voices Opposition to Proposition 15
Donna Duperron, President & CEO, voiced the chamber’s opposition to Proposition 15 at last Tuesday’s City Council meeting.  The chamber’s Government Affairs Policy (GAP) voted in August to oppose Proposition 15, a $12.5 billion a year property tax increase—the largest in state history—that is riddled with flaws which will hurt all Californians. 
 
Duperron expressed three key issues of proposition 15, it will hurt small business; it will harm female and minority owned businesses and it lacks accountability and transparency.  
 
Most small businesses rent the property on which they operate and have a “triple net lease” under which they are responsible for paying property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Small businesses—such as restaurants, gyms, barber shops, daycare centers, grocery stores, nail salons—will pay higher rents if Proposition 15 passes, therefore, it will hurt small businesses. Read more here.
Fraudsters Take Advantage of the 2020 Census
The 2020 Census is underway and it is your civic duty to participate, but beware of scammers using this opportunity to steal your personal information.

In the Census Scam, con artists send emails claiming to be United States Census Bureau representatives and ask for information such as your Social Security number and bank account or credit card accounts. They also may request donations.

Crooks also will go house-to-house giving the false impression that they are collecting census responses.

HELPFUL TIPS:
  • The U.S. Census Bureau will never ask you for donations or your Social Security number, bank account or credit card details.
  • The U.S. Census Bureau will not send you an email. If you receive an email, do not reply, click any links or open any attachments.
  • If someone visits your home, verify their identity by checking for a valid identification badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date.
  •  If you suspect criminal activity, contact your local law enforcement agency.
For a printable version of this fraud alert, click here.
Tune in to State of Education this Wednesday, September 30
Don’t miss out on hearing from Torrance Unified School District’s Interim Superintendent, Dr. Tim Stowe this Wednesday, September 30th. Dr. Stowe will speak on what is happening in Torrance schools to support, engage, and celebrate our students and their successes. Dr. Stowe took on the role of interim Superintendent on July 1, 2020. He is a veteran educator who began at the District in 1992 as a teacher. Dr. Stowe has spent his entire professional career advocating for students by developing a culture of exceptional learning and teaching. He is looking forward to addressing the public on the state of education within Torrance Unified School District. RSVP here.
Preparations Being Made for 'Shop Small Week'
The Torrance Chamber is pleased to announce Larry Halvorsen from Express Employment, Claudine Garcia from the Promotions Department, and Catherine Walker from Vader Air Conditioning & Heating as co chairs of the ‘Shop Small Program’.

Planning and preparation is underway for the annual Torrance Chamber’s ‘Shop Small Week’ that will kick-off on November 28th and run through December 5th. “As a new board member I am really looking forward to helping small businesses in the Torrance area drive business in this difficult time. I feel this year it is more important than ever to support our local businesses and get the word out that they are still here and how we can buy their goods, use their services and visit either online or in person.” stated Larry Halvorsen of Express Employment. Read more here.
California Enacts New COVID-19 Notice, Reporting Requirements
On September 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 685, a new law establishing stringent COVID-19-related notice and reporting requirements for public and private employers. It also boosts the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s (Cal/OSHA) COVID-19 enforcement authority. The new law takes effect January 1, 2021, but employers should quickly become aware of its complicated requirements in order to ensure compliance in January. Read more here.
California Aims to Phase Out New Gas-Powered Vehicles by 2035
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that directs the state to require that all new cars and passenger trucks sold within California be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) by 2035.

In response, the California Chamber of Commerce issued a statement pointing out that California needs to have standards that other states and nations can follow. It cannot do it alone.

“Banning vehicles with internal combustion engines in just 14 years is unrealistic, since it presumes that consumer demand will not create a viable ZEV market by 2035,” the CalChamber said. “Unless California, along with other states and countries, supports a market for ZEVs that ensures vehicle performance, range, safety, functionality, price, and choice for automobile consumers, then California residents alone will be left with higher energy and transportation costs without a material effect on global GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions. Forcing this transition through a mandate will burden the consumers least able to afford it, either by pricing them out of the new vehicle market or increasing the cost to maintain and fuel a used vehicle with a combustion engine.” Read more here.
California Passes First-In-Nation Plastics Recycling Law
In a move aimed at reducing huge amounts of plastic litter in the ocean and on land, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a first-in-the-nation law requiring plastic beverage containers to contain an increasing amount of recycled material.

Under it, companies that produce everything from sports drinks to soda to bottled water must use 15% recycled plastic in their bottles by 2022, 25% recycled plastic by 2025, and 50% recycled plastic by 2030.

Supporters of the new law say it will help increase demand for recycled plastic, curb litter in waterways and along roads, and reduce consumption of oil and gas, which are used to manufacture new plastics.

“This is the most ambitious, aggressive recycled plastics content law in the world,” said Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste, a Sacramento-based environmental group. Read more here.
2020 Census: More People Counted = More Funding for L.A. Residents
This Wednesday, September 30th is the last day to submit your Census form online or over the phone. It is also the last day that Census workers will be walking your neighborhoods. It is critical for you and your families to answer the Census and ensure an accurate count of how many people live in our communities. 

Census data determines how many representatives each State gets in Congress and California is at risk of losing two Congressional seats. In addition, Billions of dollars are at stake in federal funding if there isn't a full count. Important services such as public health, affordable housing, education and key infrastructure depend on this funding & that all depends on your count in the Census. Learn more here.
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As a member of Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, you are entitled to savings at Office Depot store. Discounts vary on items and services, but they do add up and you can save a significant amount annually on 175 most frequently needed items. Just another benefit of the membership! To enjoy this, Contact Us Here.
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