Ladera Ranch Chamber of Commerce Hosts 3rd Annual Event

On the morning of June 11, over 100 of Ladera Ranch's business and community leaders came together under a tent in Town Green to share breakfast and address the challenges and opportunities facing a 10 year-old town.

Key speakers included the Honorable Pat Bates, Orange County's Fifth District Supervisor, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchins, Bill Rams of Cushman and Wakefield, the commercial property managers for Ladera Ranch, and Eddie Northern, the Chair-Elect of the Orange County Business Council.

Supervisor Bates discussed measures that the Board of Supervisors is taking to ensure the financial viability of the county, including pension reform and cost reductions. Bates said that the county has committed to “over $1.3 Billion in spending reductions over two years.” She also emphasized a push from the Board to be more responsive to business pressures by reducing or deferring taxes and fees wherever possible.

Sheriff Hutchins said that there needs to be an increased vigilance by parents with regards to narcotics. Hutchins said, “We have to pay attention to our youth. Too many ofthe troubled youth I see have parents who would rather not know what their kids are up to.” The Sheriff also talked about young adults in jail in the county, saying, “If they are not in jail fornarcotics, they have almost certainly used.” Crime response times in Ladera Ranch were lower (better) than ever, according to Hutchins, but she asked Ladera Ranch residents to “not just ask, but to demand help when it is needed.”

Bill Rams of Cushman & Wakefield discussed the changing retail business environment in Ladera Ranch, indicating that although there are vacancies in the business outlets in Ladera Ranch, the community has higher occupancy than most other parts of Orange County. Rams said he was “optimistic” about the retail outlook, saying that Cushman and Wakefield had a large number of applicants for the available spaces.

Eddie Northern, the Chair-Elect of theOrange County Business Council and the Pacific Region Controller for logistics giant UPS gave an upbeat view of the economy. He said,“From the numbers we see, small businesses are leading all others in economic growth.” Northern cited data from UPS's account base that showed an uptick in shipping volume from small and medium businesses.

Peter Cross, the President of theLadera Rancho Chamber of Commerce introduced members from the Chamber's all-volunteer board and presented awards and certificates of recognition to a number of significant contributors in the community. Of those receiving awards were:

Non-Profit of the Year: Laura's House

Volunteer of the Decade: Carol McCormick

Adult Volunteer of the Year: Margie Tinsley

Youth Volunteer of the Year: Ashley Lantry

Adult Group Volunteer of the Year: Friends of the Ladera Ranch Library

Green Business of the Year: Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation (LARMAC)

The Ladera Rancho Chamber awarded donations to the PTA of each Ladera Ranch area school in the amount of $500. The chamber also honored Teachers of the Year with certificates presented by Supervisor Bates. Recipients included: Tim Prager, Chaparral Elementary – Kim Hall, Oso Grande Elementary– Jeana Dagley, Ladera Ranch Elementary – Andy Herbold, Ladera Ranch Middle School – Rob Lynde, San Juan Hills High School –Rick Woodward, Tesoro High School.

The Chamber also presented a charitable contribution of $200 to the Tinkerbell Guild of Children's Hospital of Orange County.

The Ladera Rancho Chamber of commercewebsite is http://www.laderaranchochamber.org.