Welcome, Robert Horsman

Board Chairman Robert Horsman of San Diego National Bank was installed at the Chamber’s 126th Annual Dinner.

Horsman indicated some of his main goals for 2007 are to update the Chamber’s strategic plan, which was last updated more than five years ago. 

He’ll focus this year on improving the organization’s membership retention, as well as recruiting into the Chamber more of the high-tech and biotech companies that are so integral to our regional economy.

Horsman also announced plans to create an endowment, similar to the San Diego Foundation’s philanthropic Endow San Diego fund, for programs that advance the region’s economy and quality of life.

In addition, Horsman said he expects to oversee creation of a candidate school to provide motivated, intelligent leadership for San Diego.

This year, the Chamber’s public policy advocacy will be stepped up at the state and national level, with more frequent trips to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

Public Policy Board Actions

CHAP Update: The board unanimously passed updates to the Chamber’s Housing Action Plan, which responds to the SanDiego City Council's Land Use and Housing  (LU&H) Committee’s request that the Chamber’s Housing Committee provide specific recommendations on which they could vote.

CHAP recommendations include review of publicly owned land, appointment of a housing advocate and pursuing the maximum amount of funding created by Proposition 1C. 

Water/Sewer Rates: In light of the city of San Diego’s plans to increase water rates 29 percent and sewer rates 35 percent over the next four years, the Chamber has formed a Water/Sewer Rate Task Force consisting of various business representatives who will focus on are whether the increase is justified and if past increases have been appropriately accounted for. 

Mayor Jerry Sanders has called for an Oversight Board and an annual audit, and the board voted to authorize the Chamber’s task force to work with the Mayor's staff to determine the role and function of the Oversight Board.

New Task Forces: New Task Forces are Charter Review, Chaired by Director Richard Ledford; City of SanDiego General Plan Update, Chaired by Director Lee Burdick; The Govenor’s Health Care Initiative, Chaired by Michael Bardin of Scripps Health; and Water/Sewer Rate Increases, Chaired by Tom Story of Sunroad Enterprises.

Congratulations

Chamber board member BGen. Angela Salinas was recognized by Latina Magazine as  one of the 15 "Phenomenal Latinas of 2006."