See What's Inside (562) 547-6569
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BBUSINESSTHE USINESS NOV/DEC 2019 CONNECTING THE BUSINESS A BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF AND RESIDENTIAL THE WHITTIER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VOL. 25 NO. 8 FOCUS COMMUNITIES. Whittier City Council considers sales tax increase Growing defi cits of $3 million and up and adversely impacted investment with these measures in place, the City How would the money be spent? to the City’s budget are prompting the earnings nationwide. This is followed by is facing cumulative annual defi cits of “Our City’s fi rst priority is maintaining Whittier City Council to consider placing the State’s take away of redevelopment $19 million during the fi scal years from the quality of life and public safety of a three-quarter cent Neighborhood revenues, historically used to promote 2019-2020 to 2023-2024. all of our residents, while remaining Safety and Community Service sales economic development within the committed to long-term financial local economy. And fi nally, statewide stability,” said Mayor Joe Vinatieri. If tax measure on the March 2020 ballot. What’s been done to avoid a sales changes in pension funding strategies, approved by voters, locally controlled The Council is expected to make a fi nal tax increase? dramatically increasing local agency revenue from a sale tax increase could decision at a meeting in November. The City has proactively evaluated costs over the next decade. help hire and retain police officers; a variety of approaches aimed at The City lost approximately 25% address homelessness issues; prevent What does this mean? addressing the projected deficits. of its sales tax revenue during the cuts to youth, senior, and after-school A three-quarter cent increase would recession, the State took another $8 Analyses related to outsourcing of programs; provide quick responses add $0.75 cents to a $100 taxable million from the City when it eliminated existing services, reducing staffing Continued on page 10 purchase. The increased sales tax redevelopment funding in 2012, and and increasing employee pension would not apply to most purchases changes in pension funding strategies sharing have all been considered. In for groceries or prescription medicine, are projected to increase annual pension October, the City Council determined which are exempt from sales tax. This See what’s inside costs by $6 million between 2019-2020 that outsourcing existing services was proposed sales tax increase is expected and 2024-2025. Other items adversely not appropriate at this time. The city page 7 to generate approximately $6.4 million impacting the local economy include manager explained that “Given that our dollars a year for local City services. state laws and mandates that are police department and other essential SSargent’sargent’s SSportingporting GGoodsoods allowing an increasing number early City services account for a large portion CCelebrateselebrates 60th60th AnniversaryAnniversary So, how did we get to this place? prisoner releases and further impacting of the City’s general fund budget, There are several outside our limited public safety resources. there is only so much that can be cut contributors that account for the Whittier has taken unprecedented before it begins to negatively impact majority of the City’s fi scal challenges. steps to manage its increasing labor our community.” City council desires page 11 First was the great recession that costs by negotiating for its employees to identify ways to continue to provide EEWCSDWCSD BBoardoard ooff EEducationducation signifi cantly changed the complexion to share in an additional 25% to 33% a high quality of life for local residents RRecognizesecognizes 3 DDistrictistrict of Whittier’s sale tax revenue sources of their pension costs. However, even through robust City services. EEmployeesmployees ooff tthehe YYearear Community Showcases Whittier’s Joyful Holiday Spirit with Countless Celebrations TheTh holiday h lid season provides id a time Purchase a Wreath or Swag to Support 9 p.m. Enjoy Studio Danza Dancers, services. The event is open to all and for celebrating with family and friends. Children, Youth, and Families Whittier High School’s Band & Chorus, takes place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Community events are great ways to Helpline Youth Counseling (HYC) is and letters with Santa! For more in Whittier at 7:00 a.m. For reservations bring everyone together. Kick off the selling 22” noble fi r wreaths or noble information, call (562) 698-4464. call (562) 907-2727. fi r door swags for $25 each through holidays with these wonderful Whittier It’s A Wonderful Life at the November 7. Give a gift to a child and events. Visit whittierchamber.com for Ruth B. Shannon Center Celebrate the Holiday Season with enjoy a beautiful fresh holiday wreath more details. for the Performing Arts Chorale Bel Canto or door swag. These items make great The wildly popular, classic, holiday Chorale Bel Canto celebrates gifts for staff, clients, friends, and film It’s a Wonderful Life has been the Christmas season on Saturday, family! Proceeds from the fundraiser adapted into a quick-paced and December 7 at 4 p.m. with the first will help support HYC Children’s holiday entertaining live performance radio cantata and selections from the second programs. Contact Renett Banagas at play and is returning to the Shannon cantata from J.S. Bach’s Christmas ACRO PAID (562) 273-0772 to place an order or for Center for the annual production staged Oratorio (BWV 248). The concert will STANDARD PRESORTED more information. PERMIT # 355 PERMIT WHITTIER, CA U.S. POSTAGE by Enceladus Theatre Company on also feature our traditional audience Whittwood Lights Up the Night Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. carol sing-along and other Christmas Whittwood Town Center will light Tickets are $20 and can be purchased favorites and will include our new up the night with the sparkling 36’ by visiting shannoncenter.org/events/its- Children’s Chorale. This concert will be holiday tree on Saturday, November a-wonderful-life/. For more information, a wonderful way for you to start your 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy call (562) 907-4203. holiday calendar! Jolly Holidays every Saturday from Community Invited to the 40th 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. until December 21. Celebrate the Holidays with Uptown Annual YMCA Christmas Prayer Special Jolly Holidays entertainment Whittier at the Annual Holiday Breakfast will include Selfi es with Santa and Mrs. Sonata Celebrate the Joy of Giving on Claus, Balloon Twisters, Face Painters, Gather in Uptown Whittier for a Friday, December 6 with the annual Caricature Artists, Music, and more day of fun, on Saturday, December 7 YMCA Christmas Prayer Breakfast th family fun! from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The 27 Annual featuring the music of Whittier High Holiday Sonata features Cinderella, Join Uptown Whittier in Lighting School Cardinal Choir and Las Colibri, horse carriages, caroling, shopping, the 25’ Christmas Tree at Rick’s an all-female mariachi. This program entertainment, dancing, and Santa’s 25th Annual Grand Illumination will focus on seasonal music and Village where you can take a picture Visit Santa Claus in Uptown Whittier inspirational messages about what it with Santa! For more information, visit th Whittier, CA 90602 at Rick’s 25 Annual Grand Illumination means for us to contribute to our vibrant 8158 Painter Avenue whittieruptown.org. on Friday, December 6 from 5 p.m. to community through our programs and Continued on page 5 Did you learn that there were changes to your Medicare health plan? (562) 547-6569 See pg. 10 inside! 2 WHITTIER BUSINESS FOCUS WWW.WHITTIERCHAMBER.COM NOV/DEC 2019 2019-2020 Board of Directors A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Elizabeth EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Martinez, Chair of the Board Chair of the Board Elizabeth Martinez It’s official! The holiday shopping that amount back in to the community Chair-elect & Vice Chair, Finance season is here and I want to remind through city taxes, employee wages and Bryan Tabizon, everyone - residents and business owners material/supply purchases from other Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary alike - of the value of shopping locally independent businesses. In addition, to spend your dollars in Whittier you are Immediate Past Chair and using your purchasing power in these same local businesses give back voting for the continued strength and Gary Lee Martinez, The Traveling Traveler Whittier. Our city is full of great retail and to the community through supporting vitality of our community – something the restaurant options which make it easy schools, social services and contributing Chamber of Commerce works hard to Vice Chair, Community Affairs to “Shop Whittier” this holiday season. A to local non-profi t organizations. It is pretty maintain every day of the year. Trese Childs, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Whittier variety of stores, shops and restaurants easy to see how every dollar spent in our Lastly, the Chamber is pleased Vice Chair, Networking & Marketing can be found on every corner of the city positively affects the quality of life for to partner with the Whittier Uptown Sandra Hahn, Crepes & Grapes Café city as well as in distinct shopping hot our residents. Association to continue the great tradition Vice Chair, Administration spots like the Whittwood Town Center, Our Chamber is offering an incentive of bringing a touch of the holidays into our Debra Legan, PIH Health the Quad, the Whittier Marketplace and to keep your sales tax dollars in Whittier community. I hope you will come out and the Uptown Shopping District. Not only this holiday season. Our “Shop Home celebrate Whittier community pride with Vice Chair, Business Information do Whittier merchants offer a variety of for the Holidays” campaign will begin on us at the Holiday Sonata on Saturday, R.D.