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4 OUR YUCAIPA | JULY 2014 | CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | OUR YUCAIPA | JULY 2014 5 Mission Statement The Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting a vibrant business environment by cooperative interaction among business, government and community For more information, call (909) 790-1841 • Fax (909) 363-7373 35139 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa, CA 92399 info@yucaipachamber.org "Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States." ~ Ronald Reagan What a great quote from the first president I voted for! I wish his standards, beliefs, and moral compass for the United States would be used today. But today small and large businesses seem to be the target of government and attorneys. These two seem to stay in business from our hard work and the sweat of our brow. Our community entrepreneurs are seemingly being attacked by a few attorneys who make their living by suing landlords and tenants over ADA (American Disability Act) requirements. In my line of work we assist with individuals with walkers and wheelchairs, as well as those who are blind and/or hard of hearing. I believe that they should be able to park in a designated area and use a restroom that is up to ADA requirements. That is not the issue. The issue is the lawsuits that are motivated by pure greed. California leads the nation in ADA lawsuits. Senator Dianne Feinstein cites the example 22 Redlands businesses who were sued by the same attorney because they did not post signs near their handicapped parking spaces indicating that violators would be towed. For the failure, she says the businesses ended up paying between $5,000 and $14,000 each. This is happening here in Yucaipa as well. I read about one business owner who was trying to save enough money to do a remodel but continued to get sued and now could not afford the remodel. The minimum fine is $4,000 plus fees. I would consider this a form of extortion. There are attorneys to assist in fighting this, but if you are not in compliance there is no defense, so you might as well just break out the checkbook. What you can do is hire a certified access specialist through your own attorney. This creates a client attorney privilege. The laws continue to change and not being in compliance by a few inches could be very costly whether you are the tenant or the owner of the property. Yes, they will sue the tenant as well as the ownership. My new lease agreement came with a special attachment that stated I was responsible for the ADA requirements of my unit. I did not sign it so I am on a month-to-month lease until they assure me the property has been inspected and we are in compliance. This keeps me up at night, knowing that some attorney can come in and take everything my wife and I worked so hard and long for. At your Chamber Government Relations Committee meeting this subject has been an ongoing topic. I had the privilege to attend a luncheon with Senator Morrell where he brought an attorney from Sacramento to inform us how important and costly this subject is. My question to you is, are these lawsuits about money for the attorney or justice? You decide and let me know your thoughts. We like to hear from our businesses. Jim Hammond, Comfort Keepers a message from the chairman 2014 Board of Directors Chairman, Jim Hammond Comfort Keepers Chair-Elect, Nancy Kenny First Choice Loan Services Finance Vice-Chair, Jason Ross Law Office of Linda Roberts-Ross Directors Dr. Cheryl Marshall Crafton Hills College Dora Ordonez Asaderos Restaurant & Supermarket Cheryl Benton NuSkin Eric Vreeman YCJUSD Jeff Dewan Edward Jones Financial Advisors Lynnette Alvarado Wildwood Canyon Villa CHAMBER STAFF Pamela Emenger, President/CEO Ellen Benefiel, Membership Development Coordinator AMBASSADOR TEAM David Avila, Retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief Cheryl Benton, NuSkin Pamela Brierley-Vengarick, Good Nite Inn Marlyn Crampton, Yucaipa Rotary Club Jeff Dewan, Edward Jones Marie Feuer, Life Path Healings Brandy Gomez, Law Office of Linda Roberts-Ross Debbie Harber, Sequoia Digital Marketing Nancy Kenny, First Choice Loan Services Michelle Lopez, AVON Dora Ordonez, Asaderos Supermarket 4: Happy 4th of July – No Farmers Market tonight 8: Farmers Market Committee Meeting 4 pm, Chamber office Yucaipa First Committee Meeting 9 am, City Hall 9: Board Meeting 8:30 am, Chamber office 10: Healthy Solutions Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 10am 31604 Yucaipa Blvd. 11: Yucaipa Certified Farmers Market 6-9 pm Entertainment: Steve Negrete & the Minor 6th Band City of Yucaipa Emergency Preparedness Expo 14: City Council Meeting 6 pm, City Hall 15: Farmers Market Committee Meeting 4 pm, Chamber office 18: Yucaipa Certified Farmers Market 6–9 pm Entertainment: Mirage Groove 4x4 Off Road Show 22: Farmers Market Committee Meeting 4 pm, Chamber office 25: Yucaipa Certified Farmers Market 6–9 pm Entertainment: Under Construction Classic Car Show 28: City Council Meeting 6 pm - canceled 29: Farmers Market Committee Meeting 4 pm, Chamber office Mark your calendar for these july events Healthy Solutions The Trophy Store Atlas Storage – Calimesa Berdoo T Shirt & Design Co. Pure Cross Transportation 3 KinderCare Thank You Renewing Members Welcome New Members Extreme Cars & Trucks Sun Bar Tanning Page Locksmith La Mexicana Restaurant Pinnacle Medical Group MCC Pipeline National Property Inspections The Bank of Hemet Inland Empire 66ers Baseball Club Yucaipa Chamber of Commerce had another successful Farmer's Market. The Blues Buzzards performed on May 23. Vintage Cars are on display for the fourth Friday of the month. Yucaipa First Winner Daniel Favela with Yucaipa Chamber President/CEO Pamela Emenger Yucaipa Farmer's Market Enjoy a Certified Farmer's Market and lots of vendors, entertainment and more every Friday night, from 6 to 9 pm, this summer through Sept. 26 in Historic Uptown Yucaipa.

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