September has been an emotional month in Rancho Cucamonga. We said goodbye to a young hero, Lance Corporal Dylan Merola, and reflected on the 20th anniversary of 9-11. As we close September, I am reminded of the R.E.M. song from the 90s: Everybody Hurts… Sometimes… The song continues by reminding us we are not alone and to hold-on. So whatever your challenge, whatever your hurt, just hold-on and know that we are all friends in this city and we can help each other. We are a commUNITY!
Speaking of friendship, there is no better place to spend time with friends or make new ones than Punch Bowl Social. The Chamber is happy to have the Punch Bowl Social open again in Rancho Cucamonga. We had the opportunity to connect with each other at their recent event. It is a one-of-kind place to meet people, play games, and enjoy food and drink in our city. I encourage you to visit Punch Bowl Social and host your next party or meeting there.
One of our newest Chamber members is Heart 2 Heart Chiropractic. We were honored to welcome Dr. Teresa M. Gaytan and congratulate her on her new business while being entertained by Mariachi Tecuala. Heart 2 Heart can take care of all your chiropractic needs. Next week we welcome Snap Fitness to our Chamber with a Ribbon-Cutting on October 4 at 5:30 p.m. Snap Fitness is a new gym that operates 24/7 in Rancho Cucamonga. If you are looking create positive lifestyle habits, then give Snap Fitness a try.
Our BCN Breakfasts are back! On October 7 at 7:30 a.m., we will hear from Ontario Airport at Central Park. The Ontario Airport is an economic force in our region and will share updates on the airport’s growth and plans. We are fortunate to have a premiere airport in our region that connects us with eleven airlines and countless destinations.
Our Chamber is disappointed that AB-701 was signed into law by the Governor. This bill will make it very difficult for our region’s warehouses to ensure a modicum of worker productivity without being subjected to ridiculous reporting requirements and frivolous litigation. This law allows every worker an excuse not to work hard. The constant addition of new labor laws (most of which are wildly unnecessary) unfairly punishes employers, makes us less competitive, increases costs, and represses wages.
We should remind our elected leaders that the logistics industry has been a tremendous benefit to this region by creating jobs that previously did not exist. We should not punish success with punitive laws; nor should we regulate jobs into nonexistence. The notion that employees need more protections from employers is simply not borne out by reality.
Robert Hufnagel
President-Chair
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce
