Civic Roundtable

Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce

Civic Roundtable

 

Executive Summary

May 2009

 

 

The Santa Barbara Region Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors believe there are ways for the Santa Barbara business community to take the initiative in improving our community, and are launching a new effort toward that goal.   We call it The Civic Roundtable, a series of serious and civil conversations involving the three major components of our city’s life:  our community leadership, our community organizations, and our community businesses.

 

Civic Roundtable #1 If Santa Barbara were a perfect community, what would our emergency communications system look like?

    1. Consensus was that hand crank radios were the best means for communications between citizens and emergency services providers.

    2. Consensus was that there is a need to link the County Emergency Communications Center with local radio stations to provide up to date information to the public.

    3.Consensus was that there is a need to formalize communications between agencies with overlapping jurisdictions during emergencies.

 

The attached summary shows how organizations championed the suggestions. The results were evident in the improved communications for the Jesusita Fire.

 

Civic Roundtable #2 Strategies for Surviving Turbulent Economic Times:  A Local Perspective. What is the single most significant economic issue facing the community that can be addressed on the local level?

    1. Lack of money equals lack of consumer confidence equals frozen fear.

    Why? People are worried about their futures.

    Solution: buy/give/stay local. Project Santa Barbara style hospitality to the world.

    2. Onerous government regulations without collaboration with the business sector.

    Why? Self-perpetuation of government bureaucracy creates a disconnect between business and government.

    Solution: Balanced budgets and a fundamental change in government mandated regulations on all business sectors.

    3. How do we restart our economic engine with acceptable expectations?

    Why? We need to develop sustainability among all sectors

    Solution: Create social dialogue that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration and compassion.

 

 

Civic Roundtable #3 December 10,2009 Curing California’s Ailments: Is A Constitutional Convention The Answer?

 

Moderator: Julie McGovern, Cox Communications
Perspectives: Tim Herdt, Sacramento Bureau Chief, Ventura County Star John Grubb, Senior Vice President, Bay Area Council
Fred Silva, Senior Fiscal Policy Advisor, Cal Forward

 

3:30 Steve Amerikaner welcomes participants, thanks sponsors, and describes the concept. He then introduces Julie McGoven, the moderator (at podium)
3:35 Julie introduces the topic and the speakers
3:40 Tim Herdt, Ventura County Star, overview
3:55 Fred Silva, Cal Forward
4:10 Designee Repair California
4:25 Questions from Tim to Fred and Designee
4: 50 Table Discussion. Groups formulate one written question for panel
5:20 Julie reads 3-5 pre-selected questions to panel.
5:40 Julie thanks all participants and the sponsors. Julie resumes with remainder of table questions.
5:55 Steve presents the Business Star awards and adjourns the meeting to the reception.

 

If you have comments, suggestions or a topic for the next roundtable please email to Steve@sbchamber.org