If you missed our Community-In-Unity event last Thursday, you missed a great celebration of all that makes Escondido great. Great food, ample drink for all and tremendous fellowship led to a successful evening celebrating that which brings us together.
Thank you to all who attended, those who volunteered their time to create an atmosphere which typifies what a fabulous place we live in and the legions of participants who sang holiday tunes and reminded us of what this season is all about. Celebrating that which brings us together is what Community-in-Unity is all about.
Thank you to Mayor McNamara and councilmembers Marasco, Inscoe and Garcia for attending. Your steady guidance through all we’ve experienced over the last 18+ months has helped bring us to this point where we can begin to see the light and emerge stronger and wiser from the paralysis of this pandemic.
I must also thank our ambassadors who give selfishly of their time and expertise to make all our events the best they possibly can be. And a special thanks goes out to our own Chris Cochran who steadfastly stayed the course and greatly contributed to the overall success of the evening.
I recently came back from a whirlwind trip to Manhattan and my takeaway from the trip is that I see more homeless on my drive to work each day in Escondido than I did over my 4 days in NYC. How does this make sense? Sure, I was mostly in midtown, but the point is our homeless issue is not shrinking in spite of all the funding we throw at the issue.
Traveling across country wasn’t as onerous as I suspected. In fact, it was even pleasant. A lot of that had to do with my wife and I enjoying the luxury of a direct flight and no one in the middle seat on both outbound and inbound flights! Almost first class……….
Last week the Chamber hosted meetings here with our Police Chief Ed Varso on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon Jennifer Schoeneck from the City presented several programs available to local businesses to help in their recovery from the pandemic. Thank you, Ed and Jennifer.
During these Holidays let’s all remember that together we are one, one with each other bonded in our belief in each other and commitment to making each other the best we can be. Let’s build each other up not tear each other down.
Next year the city will be facing new challenges and our business community’s health is tied directly to the responses. The Chamber is committed to advocating on behalf of this community and we could use your help. Next year I’m asking you to consider joining this Chamber and be a part of the movement. If you’re not a member become one and if you are a member, consider attending one of our events or volunteer your expertise to help us carryout our mission.
Happy Holidays to all.
Cheers,
JR