Starting in June, San Luis Obispo area travelers will go from having limited charter air service to San Jose and Sacramento to having a choice of scheduled air service. Consumers will have the opportunity to choose the type of airplane, the time they want to fly and the price that works best with their budget. Pacific Skyway, out of Santa Maria, recently announced that they, too, will be offering flights from San Luis Obispo to San Jose and Sacramento beginning in June. Schedule information was not available at press time. And, SunWest Aviation continues to offer charter flights to both of these destinations.

Nearly one year after direct air service from San Luis Obispo to Sacramento was grounded, Community Air, Inc. is moving full throttle ahead with their plans to begin service to the state's capital and San Jose.

Direct service to Sacramento is set to begin in early June, officials say. Service to San Jose will follow shortly thereafter.

The airline, which was founded by John and Susan Mayginnes of Ukiah, began discussions with San Luis Obispo County Airport officials several months ago after hearing of the need for increased air service on the Central Coast.

"We began researching communities in California looking for cities in need of vital air links to secondary markets," said Community Air chief executive officer John Mayginnes. "San Luis Obispo was mentioned by airport and aviation personnel several times as a community that fit that profile."
The Chamber, along with local government officials, has been lobbying for the return of the San Luis Obispo to Sacramento service since it was stopped last summer.

"We're thrilled that Community Air has stepped up to the plate," commented Chamber Chairman of the Board Debby Nicklas. "Good air service is a necessary component for the Chamber's economic development efforts as well as an important ingredient for a healthy community."

Passengers can look forward to traveling in style aboard Community Air's Swiss-made Pilatus PC12 aircraft, which comfortably seat nine. Because of it's design and Swiss technology, the aircraft is especially quiet and remarkably fast-it flys at about 325 mph at 30,000 feet.

Community Air will initially fly three to five round trips daily to Sacramento and three more to San Jose. Tickets will be competitively priced at $99 one-way for the Sacramento flight and $69 one-way to San Jose. In order to keep the fares low, the planes will be used for freight service at night during off-hours and available for some weekend charters.

According to Mayginnes, it's important for the airline to get people out of their cars by providing an economic and viable option for travelers. "By offering freight service as well," said Maginnes, "we're more effectively utilizing the aircraft."

Plans are also underway to move the company's headquarters and its 10-15 employees to San Luis Obispo from Ukiah. Once they are here, Community Air will look to hire about 15 more employees locally. While they are still looking for office space near the airport, Mayginnes anticipates they will make the move sometime within the next two months.

Schedule information is available from Community Air at (888) 755-5598.

The Downtown Association recently elected six new Board members to oversee the operation of the Downtown community and announced that Mike Stanton, owner of Cisco's and Pasta Tazzo, will serve as President of the Board for 1999-2000. New Board members include: Lynn James, Bill Walter, Jerry Whitaker, Tom Swem, Landy Fike and Dave Kastner.

Following a nationwide search, San Luis Obispo resident Sharon Blattner has been appointed Director of Community Programs by the Cuesta College Board of Trustees.

Cellular One of San Luis Obispo last month celebrated four years of providing wireless communications services to Central Coast residents.

General Motors and Cal Poly are teaming up to offer students a unique opportunity to "learn by doing". Through General Motors Marketing Internship (GMMI), a select group of twenty-five students will work on developing and implementing their own promotional campaign for the company.

Clay Appleton has joined FirstBank of San Luis Obispo as Vice-President, Lending. Appleton has served with numerous community organizations and has an extensive background in business banking.

Area Agency on Aging is now offering a new, updated Senior Information Guide for San Luis Obispo County. The Guide is available free of charge through the organization at 1-800-510-2020.

Alan and Sherry Stearns recently celebrated their five year anniversary as owners of Golden State Systems, a successful office equipment dealership.

Roberta Herter, a faculty member of Cal Poly's University Center for Teacher Education, is the recipient of the 1999 Exemplary Research in Teaching and Teacher Education Award given by the American Education Research Association.

PG&E recently donated $35,000 to support the One-Stop Career Center located at Cuesta College's North County Campus.

The Central Coast Natural History Association recently announced the appointment of nine new members to its Board of Directors. New Board members include: Bill Hall, Robin Hendry, Charles Kass, Linda Powell-McMillan, Mark Moline, Vicki Ramos, Sherry Saul, Karen Worcester and Vic Sterling.

Soroptimist International of San Luis Obispo, the world's largest classified service organization for executive and professional women, recently donated over $8,900 to several local non-profit agencies, educational institutions and students. For information on Soroptimist, call 781-2674

Planning Calendar

May
13 Business Visitation
16 Leadership SLO Fundraiser
19 Mixer Showcase C Embassy Suites
20 Board Meeting
27 Good Morning SLO

June
16 Mixer - KSBY
17 Board Meeting
24 Good Morning SLO

The Chamber, working on behalf of its members, has enlisted the help of Congresswoman Lois Capps on an issue involving several local small businesses and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The small business group and EPA are at odds over how much the small businesses should pay to clean up the a local waste disposal site. The Chamber, along with Capps, has been working to open dialogue between the two.

The Casmalia Hazardous Waste Disposal Site is located in Santa Maria. Several years ago it was discovered that Casmalia had leaked of waste into the water supply adjacent to the site.
Several San Luis Obispo small businesses who had legally disposed of waste at Casmalia have been recently been informed by the EPA that they are financially responsible for a portion of the clean-up costs. Preliminary indications are that the demands made by the EPA appear to have a disproportionate effect on these small local businesses.

In response to its members concern with the EPA's unwillingness to meet with them, the Chamber asked Congresswoman Lois Capps to step in. Answering her request, the EPA recently met with the representatives from the small businesses and agreed to review clean-up plan.

"We greatly appreciate Congresswoman Capps's responsiveness to our concerns," commented Lauren Brown, President of JBL Scientific, one of the businesses involved. "At this point, she appears to be taking steps to maintain her involvement."

While EPA agreed to the initial meeting, local representatives will need to keep the heat on them in order to facilitate future meetings, according to Greg Frank, Director of Facilities for JBL Scientific.

"We're going to need the continued support of our local legislators to ensure that the EPA continues to negotiate in good faith," said Frank.

Chair's Column:
Adapting to Change
By Debby Nicklas

"Will we be most effective by trying to adapt to what is happening in the world around us? Or by choosing to participate in shaping the future?", Adam Kahane, founding partner of Boston's Centre for Generative Leadership (from the book, The Dance of Change).

Our world continues to change everyday. With the new millennium approaching, change is more "top of the mind" as we anticipate what the world will be like in the next century. Businesses are experiencing profound changes in customers, competitors and technology, as well as in the political, social and economic environment. Internally, businesses struggle to adapt to these changes. The question then arises, how effectively can we keep pace with these external changes?

This is where leadership can build capacity for ongoing change and sustain the necessary processes to shape the future. Leadership that reinforces and embraces change can generate from all levels of a business organization and can range from the simple to the complex. As political, economic and social forces continue to drive the need for change, leadership becomes critical to participating in this process of change.

During the Chamber's annual Spring legislative trip, a group consisting of Chamber members, Board of Directors and staff, visited a number of our political leaders. We heard how important our voices are in making an impact and a difference in the process of change. A trend is emerging in the California political system which gives greater value to grassroots involvement. Our representatives today have stronger ties to our communities which creates a greater opportunity to be heard on issues important to business.

We learned on our trip how powerful a simple handwritten letter on business letterhead can mean in determining the fate of an issue; how much it can be a catalyst for change.

The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is committed to embracing change, being proactive in both State and local legislative issues and making sure our membership is heard. Your contribution can be vital to the process with the simplest agent of change being in the form of a letter to your local representative. Together, we can bridge the internal and external changes, make a difference in our political system, and create an atmosphere of positive change.

Join Leadership San Luis Obispo alumni, current class members and their guests for An Afternoon Among Friends at the beautiful Edna Valley Vineyard from 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 16. You can enjoy a picnic on the lawn with fine wine, live music, a tasty barbecue and fun activities for kids. Call 781-2672 for tickets.

San Luis Obispo earned the National Main Street Center's highest honor at this year's National Town Meeting on Main Street conference in March.

Members of the city's Downtown Association and City officials were on hand to pick up the Great American Main Street Award which was given to five outstanding cities from across the country.

In receiving the award, San Luis Obispo becomes only the second California city in the thirteen year history of the national conference to earn such honors.

"This award gives national recognition for those qualities that make San Luis Obispo so unique as well as boosts the morale of all those who've worked so hard to make it what it is," commented Downtown Association Administrator Deborah Holley.

California Main Street was initiated in 1986 to breath new life into the downtown districts of California cities and communities. California currently has 31 participating cities that continue to run active programs.

A California Main Street City since the program began, San Luis Obispo has become a model for cities across the country who look to emulate its beautiful streetscapes, storefronts and successful Thursday Night Farmers' Market.

The four other recipients of this year's Great American Main Street Award include: Denton, Texas; Cordell, Oklahoma; Bay City, Michigan; and Lafayette, Indiana. Each winner recieved a $5,000 award and certificate of achievement.

What will the Downtown Association do with the award money? "At this point, we've earmarked the funds to apply to a variety of projects including public art, promotions, some much needed equipment and a celebration which will take place at Farmers' Market at the end of April," said Holley.

Just months away from a new millennium, the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce is at an all-time peak with its numerous programs and services. Volunteers have raised a united voice for business, completed a host of projects and helped lobby for the continued success of the business community. The strength of the Chamber is due to its diverse and multi-talented membership.

That's why we'd like to celebrate Mega-Membership Month. From now until June 11, anytime you forward a lead to the Chamber's membership department that results in a new membership, not only will you receive $ off your dues, but you'll be eligible to win some fabulous member-donated prizes.

Help your Chamber continue its mission of promoting the economic and community well-being of San Luis Obispo.

SLO County Sleep Shoppe, Inc., at 3195 S. Higuera St., recently celebrated the opening of a new location with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by (left to right) Chamber Board member Carrie Sims, Manager Larry Katz, Owner Ed Galena, Wharehouse Manager Gary Crow, Leslie Massey and Penny Lentz.

Central Coast Wines, at 712 Higuera St., celebrated their new Chamber membership with a ribbon cutting attended by (back row) Marguerite Stafford, Rafael Alvarez, Cecilia Paredes, Chamber Board member Jeanne Potter, Rob Garcia, Karen Gupta, Len Wheeler and (front row) Laura Wheeler, Manager Marc Jaeger, Owners Vaughn and Sasha Taus with their daughter Ellie, Clare Strohman, Chamber Chairman of the Board Debby Nicklas and Penny Lentz.

Guardian, at 1880 Santa Barbara St., Ste. B, recently celebrated their new Chamber membership by cutting the red ribbon with (left to right) Cindy Hall, Chamber Board member Carrie Sims, Owner Dennis d'Autremont, Assistant Jenny Coffman and Chamber Chairman of the Board Debby Nicklas.

American Temps, 599 Higuera St., Ste. E, celebrated their recent remodel with a ribbon cutting attended by (back row) Jeff Whitener, Rafael Alvarez, Cecilia Paredes, Hilary Rinaldi, Dennette Mata, Melanie Mulvaney, Jane Savage, Len Wheeler and (front row) Mary Alpaugh, Owner Deborah Allen, Marge Menges, Vibiana Bruno, Penny Lentz and Laura Wheeler.

The Chamber paid tribute to local educators last month at its first-ever Education Recognition Awards Event. Some twenty teachers were nominated for grants and awards, which were given to those educators who are working to bring the business world into the classroom. The Chamber congratulates all nominees and looks forward to next year's event.

Term Limits Shifts Clout to Local Level
Highlights of the Chamber's most recent Legislative Trip to Sacramento

A major political change that virtually no one expected has caused political power to flow to the local level. Organizations like the Chamber are finding they have more political pull over statewide issues than ever before.

The change is a result of voter mandated term limits, which put an end to career politicians. Senators are now limited to two four year terms and Assembly members three two year terms.

When term limits were instituted two years ago, most politicos predicted that the power would shift to Sacramento lobbyists and political staffers who had been part of Sacramento's inner circle for years. Most believed that newly elected officials would be so "green" that they would turn to the insiders for advice.

Instead, many of the veteran political staffers left when the new administration came in and lobbyists have been rejected, for the most part, because they don't have the ties to local communities that the new crop of legislators want.

"The relationships for these legislators aren't with people in Sacramento anymore," said Dave Kilby, Vice-President of the California Chamber of Commerce. "The trust factor of relationships is with people back in their districts."

Legislators of old were primarily lawyers, whereas today's group of elected officials are more diverse. They come from many different professional and ethnic backgrounds and, in many cases have served in politics at the local level whether it be on the City Council, Board of Supervisors or as Mayor.

The result is a group of leaders who have strong ties to their communities. They have made the move to Sacramento because they believe they can make a difference for their communities.
A perfect example, locally, is Assemblyman Abel Maldonado, who worked in agriculture and served as Mayor of Santa Maria before being elected to the State Assembly.

That strong commitment to the local community coupled with a tendency to consult constituents instead of the special interest groups in Sacramento has resulted in a group of politicians at the state level who are accessible, responsive to citizens' concerns and willing to listen.

"I've made no secret of my intent to vote for the people of my district while in Sacramento," stated Assemblyman Abel Maldonado. "It's easy for me to listen to my constituents-whether through their phone calls or letters-and, along with analysis, make informed decisions before I cast my 'aye' or 'nay' on a measure."

Local groups and organizations like the Chamber who have strong governmental programs are reaping the benefits. The Chamber has a close working relationship with both State Senator Jack O'Connell and Assemblyman Abel Maldonado, who often take into account the Chamber's stance on an issue before making a key decision.

"We're at a point now where, if the local business communities don't get involved in statewide issues, we lose," commented Kilby. "Because legislators say, I haven't heard from my district."

Because of the new atmosphere at the Capital, Chamber members can look forward more involvement and activity in the organization's governmental affairs realm. According to Kilby, this turn of events puts more burden on Chambers of Commerce to get more involved in statewide issues because other groups, eager to wield their new-found power at the Capital, are already doing so.

"We'll be spending more time on state issues than we used," commented Chamber President/CEO Dave Garth, "because we'll make more of a difference than ever before."

Highlights of the Chamber's most recent Legislative Trip to Sacramento

Members of the Chamber staff, Board of Directors and Chamber members made the annual mission to Sacramento on April 12-13. During their visit, the group met with various political leaders and staff members of Governor Davis's administration, including -

• Dan Walters, nationally syndicated political columnist - Walters gave the group an overview of changes that have occurred or are yet to occur under Governor Davis's administration.
• Mary Nichols, California Secretary for Resources - Nichols, who is in charge of the umbrella organization that controls such departments as Fish & Game, Parks & Recreation, and Water, is one of the most powerful members of the Governor's Cabinet as well as a former member of the Clinton administration. The group discussed with Nichols the Chamber's involvement in and stance on off-shore oil drilling, support for open space, parks and recreational opportunities.
• Rick Simpson, Legislative Secretary for Governor Davis - Group members discussed several state issues with Simpson, including the Chamber's concern with AB60.
• Bob Hight, Director of Fish & Game - Hight, who is the former Director of State Lands, discussed the future direction of his department as well as received input from the Chamber on environmental issues.
• Gary Hart, Education Advisor to the Governor - Hart talked about the Governor's reforms to education, which he is heading up.
• Eileen Hook, Senior Analyst for the State Department of Tourism - Hook reviewed tourism statistics as well as discussed how San Luis Obispo fits into California's lucrative tourism industry.
• Rusty Areias, Director of Parks & Recreation - Areias discussed future direction of Hearst Castle under his direction

Tips on how to get your message across as part of the Chamber's grassroots legislative team

• Decide what your issue is and what your ultimate goal is (i.e. a "yes" vote, "no" vote, or something else).
• Identify who can help you accomplish your goal. The Chamber may be able to help you on this.
• Communicate your position by writing a brief letter to your legislator
• Your letter should:
  • Explain how the proposed legislation affects your business or you personally and why you support or oppose it.
  • Don't support or oppose a particular bill because it likely will change before your letter gets there. Instead, support or oppose a concept.
  • Respectfully request support or opposition from the legislator
  • Be reasonable and constructive
  • Copy the Chamber on any correspondence that you send. Let the Chamber be a resource in helping.

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