Donna Visits a Celebration of Special Olympics at North High School

This past week I had a memorable experience visiting the launch of a new youth activation campaign to create the first truly unified generation – a generation in which young people with and without intellectual disabilities create a future of respect and inclusion for everyone.

This celebration urges youth everywhere to play and ultimately live unified, breaking down the barriers that exclude people with intellectual disabilities. The #PlayUnified movement is inspired by a simple principle: training, playing and competing together is a quick path to understanding, acceptance and friendship.

Thank you Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi, 66th District

Last week the Assembly passed AB 1008 to the Senate. The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce extends appreciation to Assembly member Al Muratsuchi, 66th District, for his opposition vote to AB 1008 which exposes employers to increased litigation under the Fair Employment and Housing Act for utilizing relevant criminal history of an applicant in its employment decision to maintain safety in the workplace.

Members Discuss “Drive-By” Lawsuits with Congressman Ted Lieu’s Office

Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce members were provided a forum to discuss H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act. This legislation would close the loophole in the federal law that has unintentionally helped produce “drive-by” ADA Title III lawsuits while adding safeguards that incentivize the remedy of alleged violations – without taking away the right to pursue “bad actors” who ignore compliance.

This is a “notice and cure” bill that requires a plaintiff to give specific notice to the property owner about the alleged violations so they know what they are looking for in terms of a barrier. The legislation also allows property owners up to 120 days to fix the alleged ADA violation before the clock starts running on attorney fees. Chamber members agreed that this piece of legislation is a good first step. “Small businesses are fragile. Starting with a conversation, instead of a lawsuit is promising,” stated Kirk Rossberg, owner of Torrance Bakery.

Beutler Joins International Delegation

Appreciation extended to Cortez and Trinneer, Ambassador Program

Co-Chairs

TACC Hosts Torrance Police Department & Local Credit Unions to Discuss ATM Skimming

Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce members, representing credit unions, met with Sargent Ron Connor, Torrance Police Department, Economic Crimes Division, this morning to discuss the placement of skimmers on ATM's and the increase of fraudulent checks.

The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce next week's graduation of the 2016-2017 Leadership Torrance class. Developed by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Torrance is the South Bay’s premier leadership development course, designed to develop effective and visionary leaders who will help our community remain successful.

For the past six months, class members have explored topics including leadership styles, state and local politics, international trade, the arts, and local history. Participants are challenged with the objective to become engaged in civic activities with the long-term vision of giving back to their business and the community as a whole.

Congratulations to the following individuals for having successfully completed this year’s Leadership Torrance program:

Cynthia Aguado – City of Torrance, Community Services Dept.
Liz Hosmer – Grassroots Lab
Richard Kazandjian – City of Torrance, Fire Dept.
Jorge Loera – Aloha HR
Stephen MacAller – Torrance-South Bay YMCA
Tracy Maestro – California Water Service
Yonnie Parker – City of Torrance
Tom Penland – Greenline Associates
Marcelino Rivas – The Van Lingen Group
Dawn Salvatore – Moog, Inc.
Tracy Schiller – Encore Theatre Group
Frank Umekubo – California Water Service
Mark Underwood – City of Torrance, Police Dept.
Danielle Wagner – Switzer Learning Center
Soc Yumul – City of Torrance, Community Development Dept.

Additional thanks to Cyndy Rosell of the City of Torrance, Susan Swinburne of the Torrance Education Foundation, and Russell Akiyama of Sunflower Farms for their directorial leadership of the 2017 class.

One Week Remaining to Secure Seats or Tables for the 2017 Business Awards Celebration & Inaugural