More on the President’s Roundtable
September 2002
Does life seem to be out of control for me alone, or is it the same for everyone? It seems as though I have positioned myself so that I have no time to do anything through its completion. It’s not that I am lazy or that I am ignorant, but shucks, (sorry, but that was the hillbilly coming out of me) I don’t even seem to have time to kick a can down the road while I think of my next task.
So, if you see me walking down the streets of Twentynine Palms with a can around my neck, it’s only because I can’t find the time to place the can on the ground and kick it to its next level, because the can isn’t that important. To understand this comment you may wish to refer to the July 18, 2002, Letters to the Editor of the Desert Trail.
This does not indicate by any means that I am failing you as the President of your Chamber of Commerce; it just merely means that I am working overtime for you and for your business, as well as mine, and for the success of our community. As your Chamber of Commerce President, I am NOT a member of either the City Council or the City Planning Commission. They are supposed to do what they do best, as does your Board of Directors in the Chamber of Commerce. As your Board of Directors, we have just completed our Annual Strategic Planning Session. I must confess, although it was tough and grueling, the outcome was a major success. We have outlined our Program of Work for the entire upcoming year and have a Mid-Year Review planned to ensure that we are still on track and meeting what we think are the needs of our business community.
Over the past year, you may have read through these pages or heard me speak of what was originally conceived of, as a Local Business Council that has transformed itself into the President’s Round Table. It’s taking a long time for this Council to come to fruition; however, it is also important that you understand that I believe that any job worth doing is worth doing well.
It also seems that the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce is following our lead. However, because their membership is much larger than ours, they have subdivided their council into several different councils. These councils could be considered committees, but I also believe that a Council carries the weight of the community on its shoulders, more so than would a committee which exists for the purpose of the Board or for the completion of an event.
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce has subdivided their Council into the following individual Councils to help identify ways to improve value for its members in specific segments. These segments are the Technology Industry, the Business Advisory, and the Public Policy Council.
I propose the following as one all enveloped council to exist for the accomplishment of the following:
Aside from acting as a central source of information regarding current business and economic conditions, the Roundtable would:
1. Facilitate communications between the business community and local city government.
2. Provide a local ombudsman service to investigate complaints and mediate settlements.
3. Guide new businesses through the regulatory and permitting process.
4. Review proposed legislation and analyze its impact on economic growth.
5. Conduct research on business and economic development issues.
6. Provide information for businesses seeking to locate or expand in Twentynine Palms. 7. Various local business industries, such as the Restaurant/Food Industry, Retail Merchants, Hotel/Motel/Inns would meet to discuss issues related to their specific industry.
The organization of the President’s Roundtable will insist on a business-friendly City Government and act as One Voice for their Community.
My optimism comes not from an obligation as your president to put the future in the best possible light, but from the certainty that success is assured when creative and intelligent professionals work together. I am fortunate and grateful to have the opportunity to preside over people of such character for a second year. I look forward to and want to thank you–in advance–for the work that we will accomplish together. I invite each and every one of you, be you a business owner/manager, government employee, city, county, state or federal, or concerned community member to participate in the President’s Round Table. Many of you will be receiving personal letters as an invitation for your participation; however, if you don’t receive a personal letter, this does not preclude you in any manner from participating. It just means that I, in my overworked haste, I may have overlooked one of the most important members of this Council. Please feel free to contact me at my place of work if you have an interest.
760-367-7932
Monday through Friday.
Respectfully,
Michael Collins
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