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FEATURED STORIES
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OCBC Issues Call to Action to Protect Toll Road from “Late-Hit” Congressional Proposal
OCBC is working with the Transportation Corridor Agencies to defeat a legislative effort that would challenge the TCA’s federal authority to complete the SR-241 Toll Road extension. Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) is planning to insert language into the National Defense Authorization bill that could effectively negate the TCA’s federal authority to build the toll toad extension. OCBC immediately issued a call to action, asking its membership to contact Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, and OPPOSE this action in hearing tomorrow.
Davis's "late hit" legislation undercuts a 20-year, $20 million public process. It is disrespectful to the elected officials and members of the public who participated in that process and had to make the tough decisions to secure congestion relief for South Orange County. Having rallied its membership, OCBC will keep you apprised of this issue as it develops further. Please direct any questions to Kris Murray, VP of Government and Community Affairs.
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Sell-out Crowd Welcomes Dr. Henry Samueli
A sell-out crowd of more than 100 joined OCBC in welcoming Dr. Henry Samueli, co-founder, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Technical Officer of Broadcom Corporation, to the Chairman's Leadership Breakfast series this morning. Dr. Samueli charmed the audience as he answered questions posed by OCBC Treasurer, Larry Buster of First American Title Company. The pair covered topics ranging from Samueli's childhood and education, the founding and growth of Broadcom, his generous philanthropic works, and (of course) the soon-to-be champion Anaheim Ducks hockey club, which really sparks his enthusiasm.
Like other prestigious business leaders who have headlined the CLB series, Dr. Samueli stressed the importance of improving Orange County's K-12 education system and inspiring students to pursue science and math studies early in their educational careers. He indicated that research and development engineers comprise 70% of Broadcom's staff, which increases approximately 20% each year. "If we stop feeding the universities that talent, we lose the future," he said. "Keep feeding that engine. That's what brings and keeps businesses here."
OCBC's next Chairman's Leadership Breakfast on Tuesday, September 18, will feature Dr. James Doti of Chapman University. Please stay tuned to OCBC's website for details.
Special thanks once again to our event sponsor, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, The Waltos Group.
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Governor's Injunction Delays OCTA Strike 60 Days
Governor Schwarzenegger requested and received a 60-day injunction to ensure that the Orange County Transportation Authority’s vital transit services are not disrupted during a protracted negotiation between OCTA and Teamsters Union. The contract expired on May 1, 2007, and the union members overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. Without the injunction, a strike could occur at any time, disrupting service to thousands of Orange County residents who rely on OCTA’s transportation services.
As former OCBC president, Stan Oftelie, noted, "Orange County without its bus service will have the same effect on our transportation system as if the Garden Grove (SR 22) freeway were closed." A strike would be troubling for businesses, commuters, and residents alike.
As OCBC reported last week, the Governor appointed a three-member board to investigate the dispute, and the findings of their report provided to the Governor on May 6 are available for review by clicking here. OCBC will continue to follow this important issue and keep you informed of all future developments as the negations continue.
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BIZPAC -- One Week to Register!
OCBC's political action committee, BIZPAC, will hold its annual luncheon on Friday, May 18, at noon at the Irvine Hyatt. The event will feature the Governor's Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff, Dan Dunmoyer, as keynote speaker. The list of sponsors keeps growing and now includes:
It is through BIZPAC that the Business Council is able to financially support local and statewide candidates and ballot measures that advance its public policy agenda. Please join our growing list of sponsors and pledge your contribution today. Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and offer you a wide variety of benefits and recognition, as outlined on the event webpage. Individual tickets to the luncheon are also available. Please direct questions to Todd Priest at 714.939.9070.
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Victory for OCBC in Opposing a State Anti-Toll Road Completion Bill
Assemblyman Jared Huffman shelved his anti-toll road completion bill, AB 1457, when the bill failed to make it out of committee in Sacramento. Huffman's bill would have prohibited the construction of roadway projects in the vicinity of a state park that failed to meet specific condition set by the parks directors effectively giving state parks directors authority to veto transportation projects approved by elected officials. As a two-year bill, AB 1457 will be reconsidered in January 2008. Click here to read the Transportation Corridor Agencies' press release.
AB 1457 threatened to prevent Orange County from connecting the 241 toll road to Interstate 5 through South County's San Onofre State Park. "What makes me particularly crazy," said OCBC President and CEO, Lucy Dunn, to the Los Angeles Times, "is that this road has gone through 20 years of planning and compromises with agencies and transportation officials here in Orange County and here's this out-of-towner trying to take away our local control." Click here to read the full article.
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World Innovation Forum's West Coast Debut
The World Innovation Forum’s west coast debut in April brought world-class thinkers on innovation to Orange County, drawing more than 450 attendees from across the US, Europe, Asia and Canada. The event featured UC Irvine as the academic sponsor, and OCBC members Toshiba, Allergan and Boeing as the major local corporate sponsors.
Toshiba proudly awarded its first “Green Innovation Award” to Water Health International, a local company with a low-cost water purification technology that has the potential of bringing clean water to millions of people in under-developed countries. Toshiba further honored five other local environmentally innovative entrants at a luncheon. OCBC’s very own Dr. Wallace Walrod was one of the thirteen distinguished judges that determined the events green honorees.
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Workforce Development
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LEA Reports Significant Progress in GGUSD
OCBC's Latino Educational Attainment (LEA) Working Group met last week, reporting significant progress in Orange County’s socio-economically challenged neighborhoods, particularly those within the Garden Grove Unified School District. To date, district has trained 115 parents with the LEA’s 10 Education Commandments for Parents, as well as staff at 20 out of its 47 elementary schools and at 5 of its 7 high schools. The district’s counselors are inspired by the program, 8 having been trained thus far.
The LEA initiative has been so successful, Teri Rocco, a teacher in the Garden Grove Unified School District, is planning an LEA “10 Commandments” Convention in June 2007. She is currently promoting teams to maintain parent, teacher and counselor support. The district’s Buena Clinton Neighborhood will be used as a training resource center. Kudos to the outstanding leadership from our partner, Orange County United Way, and OCBC's own LEA Chairman, Joe Ames.
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Workforce Housing
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Jamboree Housing Corp Breaks Ground on Monarch Pointe
OCBC members, Jamboree Housing Corporation and City of Anaheim officials, along with enthusiastic community members broke ground on the future site of the Monarch Pointe Apartment Homes last week. The affordable housing development, an important element in the Central Anaheim Neighborhood revitalization project, is the first of three such communities Jamboree Housing has slated for Anaheim. It will offer affordable 12 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom apartments (63 total units including one onsite manager's unit), incorporating the same high-quality finishes and materials as Anaheim's market-rate communities. Click here to read the full press release.
OCBC strongly supports an increase in housing supply, affordability, and choices for a growing workforce population. Congratulations, Jamboree and Anaheim! Your success is our success.
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Membership
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Children and Families Commission Awards Grant to 2-1-1 Orange County
The Children and Families Commission of Orange County, a proud OCBC member, recently awarded $80,000 to 2-1-1 Orange County, a telephone information and referral service for families in need of health and human services, such as shelter programs, prenatal care, early education, immunizations and a variety of other programs and services that are critical to families with young children in Orange County. In operation since 1988, 2-1-1 Orange County's services are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be easily accessed by dialing 2-1-1. Click here to read the full press release.
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Take Your Seat at OCBC's Table
Orange County Business Council prides itself as Orange County’s leading voice of business. It is a voice whose true strength lies in its diversity and grows stronger with the addition of each new member. We’re saving a seat for you at the table! Join now…
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Media
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KOCE-TV's Dialogue with Jim Doti
"Dialogue with Jim Doti" is a half-hour, weekly talk show on KOCE-TV, where host Jim Doti and his guests “talk shop” on topics such as politics, business, the arts, culture and more. May features two programs: "Women's Wellness Day" with Susan Samueli, founder of the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine, UC Irvine; and "The Effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act" with Henry N. Butler, author of The Sarbanes-Oxley Debacle, and Chancellor William Chandler, Delaware Court of the Chancery. “Dialogue” airs on KOCE-PBS on Tuesdays at 11:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Check your local listings for channel information.
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Inside OC with Rick Reiff
KOCE-TV’s Inside OC with Rick Reiff is a 30-minute program featuring interviews, discussions and filmed segments with government officials, business and community leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists and other important and interesting people. May features two programs, including: "Mortgage Biz, Show Biz, Charity Biz" with Curt Pringle, Mayor of Anaheim; and "Disney, SunCal and Rudy" with Glenn and Mindy Stearns, Stearns Co. "Inside OC" airs on KOCE on Sundays at 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Check your local listings for channel information.
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Meetings & Events
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Committee Meetings
May 2007
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Wednesday, May 9, 2007 |
Golf Tournament Committee, 7:30a |
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007 |
Infrastructure Committee, 7:30a |
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007 |
Workforce Development Committee, 7:30a |
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Thursday, May 17, 2007 |
Economic Forecast Conference Committee, 8a |
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Monday, May 21, 2007 |
Membership Committee, 12p |
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007 |
Health Care Committee, 11a |
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Thursday, May 24, 2007 |
Community College Working Group, 3p |
Click "DETAILS" below for more information. You may also view OCBC's Master Calendar on the web.
[DETAILS]
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Community Events
Tuesday, May 15 - Wednesday, May 16, 2007: 6th Annual Industry Research Symposium, "California: Prosperity Through Technology"
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering brings you the 6th Annual Industry Research Symposium, "California: Prosperity Through Technology," focusing on energy and the environment. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007: San Diego Forum on Overcoming Regulatory Barriers to Workforce Housing
Hon. Jerry Sanders, Mayor of San Diego, will be speaking on practices and strategies to reduce the cost of workforce housing and how to eliminate some of the barriers that prevent workforce housing to arise.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007: The Sub Prime Meltdown: What Does it Really Mean for Orange County?
The Orange County Forum presents Scott Simon, Managing Director & Senior Member, Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO). Simon will be speaking on the long-term effect that economics shifts have on the mortgage industry.
Thursday, May 24, 2007: Orange County Business Journal's Women in Business Awards
The Orange County Business Journal invites you to take this opportunity to nominate an outstanding woman who merits special recognition for her accomplishments. OCBC CEO and President, Lucy Dunn, was among last year's honorees.
For more information about any of these events, click the "DETAILS" link below.
[DETAILS]
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