New chamber officers take oath

Barbara Diamond

State Assemblyman Chuck DeVore was optimistic about the state’s

coming business climate Saturday night as he presided over

swearing-in of the 2005 Chamber of Commerce officers and directors.

DeVore talked about changes he foresees in government that he

believes will brighten the business environment.

“I am looking at a four-year campaign to completely change the

state,” DeVore said. “It started with a recall in 2004.”

However, he noted that the recall did not result in any changes in

partisan legislative districts. He thinks that will come by special

election this year, supported by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. DeVore

said the governor’s successes will dramatically alter the business

climate.

“So hold on until 2006,” DeVore said. “Help is on the way.”

Before installing the chamber’s new officers and directors at

Tivoli Too, DeVore extolled the virtues of commerce.

“I am reminded of my school motto, ‘First commerce, then

civilization,’” the Claremont McKenna graduate said. The chamber’s

2005 President, Dennis Junka of Junka Bears, said he would like to

get things rolling on a number of fronts.

“I see us working closer together, not necessarily agreeing, but

at least working together,” Junka said. “We want to get things done.

I’d like to see us moving forward not just on the Village Entrance,

but also in either ends of town.”

Sworn in to serve with Junka on the executive committee were:

Chris Lange of Citizens Business Bank, first vice president; Dave

Sanford of Super Dave’s Printing, second vice president; Veronica

Nice of Nice Touch Chiropractic, secretary; Kathy Conway of Conway

Financial Services, treasurer, serving her final year before terming

out; and Ken Delino of KD Consulting, immediate past president.

Also taking the oath administered by DeVore: Directors Michelle

Clark of Waste Management of Orange County, Timothy Dillon of the

Laguna Beach Community Clinic, Chris Lutz of Prudential Realty,

Dennis Myers of D.E. Myers Group, Tom Simpson of Simpson Termite

Inc., Shaun Tabor of Doctors Ambulance Service, Catherine Wilkinson

of Bubbles Bath & Body Supply, Len Weinstein of Ropage Beauty & Salon

and Bob Dietrich of the Festival of Arts, who is heading up the newly

created chamber Government Affairs Committee. Directors Gerry Foster

of Gerry Foster Marketing and Ron Hyrchuk of South Coast Medical

Center were unable to attend the installation.

“A lot of really good ideas are coming up,” Conway said. “We are

getting more involved with the issues in Laguna Beach, good issues.”

The board will brainstorm issues at its annual retreat this month.

AWARDS SHOW

Chamber Executive Director Verlaine Crawford led off the awards

with presentations to Steve Suer of Laguna Construction & Builder and

Chuck Robinson of Ganahl Lumber for the beautification of the

chamber.

Simpson, who was Ambassador of the Year in 2003, passed on the

crown to Michelle Ottoof Century 21, followed by Delino’s

introduction of Wilkinson as the Board Member of the Year, a

unanimous vote according to Dillon.

“Cathy is a wonder woman, a corporate refugee who left to open her

own business,” Delino said. “One of Wilkinson’s goals for the chamber

this year is to expand the holiday lights to Bluebird Canyon Drive.

Junka acknowledged Delino’s contributions as board president for

the previous two years and then joined with him to present the

Merchant of the Year award to Mark Christy of Hobie Sport Shop,

Boards and Tuvalu.

“We want residents to come downtown and we don’t have Klass

Electric anymore, so we need to have special places,” Delino said.

Lange presented the Small Business of the Year Award to Gina’

Pizza.

Myers presented the first-ever Premier Business Award to Montage

Resort & Spa.

He said the award was based on economic viability and social

responsibility.

Councilman Steven Dicterow, who subbed for Mayor Elizabeth Pearson

Saturday, participated in the presentation to Montage General Manager

James Birmingham.

“It took a referendum to let the owners do what they wanted with

their own property,” Dicterow said. “They have more than exceeded

expectations. .”

Birmingham said the vision of founder Alan Furstman was for a

world-class resort, but before that, world-class in the eyes of the

community.

“Laguna Beach is a world-class destination without which Montage

would be just another hotel,” Birmingham said.

Sande St. John was the 2004 recipient of the award named in honor

of Harry Lawrence for contributions to the community.

St. John said people always ask her how she does so much. “I

can’t, I don’t,” she said. “It happens with hundreds and hundreds of

volunteers.”

St. John received a standing ovation from the audience, which

included her daughter Shannon, son-in-law, Wayne Ostander,

granddaughters Camryn, Kaitelyn and Kelsey, great niece Marlene

Malkawi, niece Shawn Tomcsik and her partner Allison Holland.

Crawford also recognized the Partnership Circle, as special

chamber supporters are called, chamber staff and volunteers, among

them Beverly Holt, Maxine Graves and Anne Wood, who signed in guests

to the annual dinner.