Competition Is Good - Both in Commerce and in Politics

Many Monterey Peninsula local public offices will not be on your November 8, 2022 election ballot. This is because only one person filed to run for those offices, thus negating the need for an election. Some examples include the two Monterey City Council seats, Mayor of Seaside, the one Seaside City Council seat, Mayor of Sand City, the three Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Board of Directors seats, the two Monterey Peninsula College Board of Trustees seats, and Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Board of Trustees (three out of the four seats). A long list of Monterey County public offices for which there will be no election can be found on the Monterey County Elections Office website: Appointed In-Lieu of Election - General Election - November 8, 2022. 

While the lack of competition may indicate residents are satisfied with the values and performance of their local elected officials, it can also suggest apathy, complacency, and lack of accountability. It can also encourage a belief that a “machine” controls local government. Lack of competition also presents an opportunity for individuals with extreme or narrow ideologies to coast into public office and introduce ideas destructive to businesses and commerce. At the very least, lack of campaigns mean that important public policy issues for your Chamber of Commerce are not highlighted or debated in a campaign environment.

Your Chamber of Commerce encourages you to consider seeking appointments to local boards and commissions and think about possibly seeking to serve your community in elected office. Contact Monica Lal at monica@montereychamber.com for more information.

To see which local public offices WILL be on the ballot in November, go to Monterey County Elections Office Candidate List.

And to learn more about local public policy issues, attend the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon on Monday, September 26 at the Monterey Conference Center. Register here: Leadership Luncheon Registration.

RIBBON CUTTING: Mathnasium Monterey

Thursday, September 8 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Suite 680, Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey

MIXER: Starphyre Digital Security Services & Fitzpatrick Professional Accountancy Corp

Thursday, September 22 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

9600 Blue Larkspur Lane, Suite 101, Monterey

20th Annual Leadership Luncheon

Monday, September 26 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Monterey Conference Center, Monterey

$75 per person

Presented by Aera Energy, our 20th Annual Leadership Luncheon gives community leaders, local business owners and engaged citizens an opportunity to gain further insight into the current business climate on the Monterey Peninsula. An impressive panel of federal, state and local elected officials cover topics such as: new projects taking place in their jurisdictions, new business coming to the region and important issues that have impact on the future viability of our local economy.

Register Today >>

URGENT MESSAGE Regarding Energy Usage

California is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave on track to be both the hottest and longest on record in California for September. The potential for rolling outages is a very real scenario this week.

Today, Tuesday (9/6), presents the most significant risk, but we need your help to reduce load from 4-10 pm everyday through Thursday (9/5 - 9/8). The more power we save, the less likely power outages are.

Local businesses and residents are asked to help reduce load between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. each day, now through Thursday.