Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon

at Embassy Suites in Seaside, CA, September 30, 2016

The Rooster Crowed!  What kind of title is that for a Leadership Luncheon?  Well, just hang on and you’ll know soon enough.  As far as the luncheon goes, you might say, anyone who was anyone was there.  The room was filled with elected officials and those hoping to get elected.

During the networking time before the luncheon I was able to speak with Casey Lucius, who is running for Congress against Jimmy Panetta.  I love seeing more and more women getting involved in politics and we certainly need more women in Washington.  I’m sure Jimmy Panetta will give her a run for her money, however.

The luncheon began with Jody Hansen, MPCC President and CEO, introducing the Master of Ceremonies, Doug Yount, MPCC Chair-Elect.  After a few remarks, he introduced Senator Bill Monning, Senate Majority Leader, California Senate District 178, who was the keynote speaker.

He spoke of our 3 top industries that employ the most employees, Agriculture, Hospitality, and Higher Education and caught us up on the important issues we are facing – water being one of the major ones.

Assembly member, Mark Stone, from the state assembly then followed with his remarks and then Supervisors John Philips, Jane Parker, and Dave Potter.  Sheriff Steve Bernal had a lot to say about law enforcement, but like the others,  had only 4 minutes to say it in.

There was a great showing by most of the mayors of our area – 8 in all.  Mayor Bill Kampe discussed what was going on in Pacific Grove and invited everyone to the Butterfly Parade coming up.

 Mayor Pro Tem, Carrie Theis, of Carmel invited everyone to the Centennial Parade on October 29th.  The Master of Ceremonies had earlier announced that Mayor Steve Dallas of Carmel couldn’t be there, because he was busy finding the horses to pull Grand Marshall Clint Eastwood’s stagecoach in the parade.

We’re all looking forward to this parade and even I will be dressed up in period costume following behind the stagecoach as an Ambassador of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

 I’ve been to many Mayors panels in recent years and Jerry Edelen, the mayor of Del Rey Oaks, always has a well written humorous set of remarks prepared.  This luncheon was no different. This time his “state of Del Rey Oaks” speech was all about the bull frogs and an annoying rooster who was cock-a-doodling every morning and annoying all the neighbors.  It was rumored the rooster had escaped from Seaside.

 The police were called who set some traps, but this was one smart rooster who took the bait and escaped the trap.  Finally one day he just disappeared solving the major problem of the city of Del Rey Oaks.   It’s not clear if the bull frogs got him or if he decided to go traveling again.

Mayors Bruce Delgado (Marina), Clyde Roberson (Monterey), Joe Gunter (Salinas), David Pendergrass (Sand City), and Ralph Rubio (Seaside) also presented their 4 minute messages.  District Director, Alec Arago, from Sam Farr’s office completed the presentation and both Alec and Sam Farr, US Representative,  who was in Washington DC, were thanked for their many years of service in the 20th Congressional District.

It’s always rewarding to see and hear our elected officials and I was very glad I was able to attend this year’s  Annual Leadership Luncheon.