Chamber Action in Government Affairs — November 5, 2024 Election

On Friday, August 30, your Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Candidate Review Committee will convene for a day of interviewing candidates for local public offices. Your Chamber will consider endorsements for the office of mayor in Monterey, Seaside, and Pacific Grove and the office of city councilmember in Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Sand City, Del Rey Oaks, and Pacific Grove. We will also interview candidates for Monterey Peninsula Airport District board and for a Monterey Peninsula College board seat.

Regrettably, for many local offices there was only one candidate who filed to run for office, or the office does not have a truly competitive election with more than one credible candidate. Admittedly, running for public office is personally challenging and stressful. Your Chamber encouraged members to consider running for local office in 2024, and a few did step forward to run!

The election is on November 5, with ballots arriving in mailboxes around October 8. See a complete list of candidates for local offices on the Monterey County Elections Office website: Candidates.

If you have questions or comments about candidate endorsements or Chamber involvement in elections, please contact Monica Lal at monica@montereychamber.com or at (831) 648-5350.

Chamber Action in Government Affairs — Annual Leadership Luncheon

Whether you plan to attend or cannot, please fill out the brief Mentimeter survey that allows you to choose the Chamber's top two local public policy issues among a list of current issues:

Chamber Public Policy Priority Issues - 2024 Survey

On Thursday, September 5, your Chamber will host its 22nd Annual Leadership Luncheon, featuring brief remarks on top local issues from numerous local elected officials. Register here: Annual Leadership Luncheon.

How to Properly Dispose of Your Household and Workplace Batteries

On August 12, 2024, your Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee hosted Felipe Melchor, General Manager of ReGen Monterey (formerly known as the Monterey Regional Waste Management District). In addition to informing the committee about the current and planned services and infrastructure improvements at the ReGen Monterey facility, Mr. Melchor wants to send an important message to the community about proper disposal of batteries.

It doesn’t seem like a big deal to throw batteries in the trash or recycling bins. Our local waste management districts have a different perspective. Batteries can cause fires on the conveyor belts of sorting machinery and in landfills. 

ReGen Monterey (formerly known as the Monterey Regional Waste Management District) has a new video called “Charged Conversations” that highlights the dangers of improper battery disposal. The agency urges residents and workers to use these three options instead to dispose of batteries:

1. Place collected batteries in a clear plastic bag and put it atop your blue recycling cart on collection day. (Few people know about this option - use it!)

2. Residents in the ReGen Monterey service area can drop off batteries and electronic waste for free at the Household Hazardous Waste facility adjacent to the landfill, or drop them off at community collection sites. Check with your city for locations.

3. Collect your electronic waste and request a free bulky item pick-up from your curbside hauler.

For more information, go to this ReGen Monterey website: Batteries.

montereychamber.com

Annual Leadership Luncheon presented by California Resources Corporation

Thursday, September 5 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Portola Hotel & Spa, Monterey

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MIXER: Gathering for Women - Monterey

Thursday, September 12 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

147 El Dorado Street, Monterey

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RIBBON CUTTING: Mathnasium of Monterey

Thursday, September 19 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey

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RIBBON CUTTING: Skinphoria Aesthetics

Thursday, September 26 | 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

380 Foam Street, Suite 210, Monterey

Register Now >>

The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce advocates on behalf of the business community. As we join our impressive panel of federal, state and local elected officials next week, including Keynote Speaker Senator John Laird, we want to make sure to cover the key issue areas that matter most to our Members and that will have an impact on the future viability of our local economy.

Please respond to this poll:

Which TWO key issue areas are the most important priorities for growing the regional economy and will have the greatest impact on local businesses?

More exciting news for Monterey County! NPR’s August 21 Marketplace Podcast highlighted Monterey County’s 4.8% job growth, the largest over-the-year increase in employment in the nation for the first quarter of 2024 (+6,618 jobs), per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Agriculture Industry is driving this growth, with top crops like strawberries, lettuce, and broccoli leading the way!

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