SHIRLEY KIMBERLIN Everything I list turns to SOLD! 805-886-0228 skimberlin@aol.com
This week’s listings on the back page
Chamber announces new leader
By the seat of his pants
CVN REPORT
After a nationwide search for a new President/Chief Executive Officer, the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce announced this week that Joyce Donaldson would take the helm on June 1. Retiring President Lynda Lang has extended her last day to the end of May to ensure a smooth transition into new leadership. “We have been thorough in our deliberaSUBMITTED PHOTO tions throughout the Newly appointed selection process,” said Carpinteria Valley Tom Ligare, Chair of the Chamber of Commerce CEO Search Commit- President/CEO Joyce tee. “We are absolutely Donaldson most recently thrilled to welcome led the Indio Chamber of (Donaldson) to the Car- Commerce. pinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce.” Donaldson brings over 11 years of chamber leadership experience into her new role. For the last five years, she held the position of President and CEO of the Indio Chamber of Commerce in Indio, Calif., and prior to that, she served as executive director of the Romeo-Washington Chamber of Commerce in Romeo, Mich. for seven years. According to a press release, Donaldson has a proven history of enhancing operations, bolstering financial stability, increasing visibility and strengthening community and government relations. “I am eager to immerse myself into the Carpinteria community and am committed to expand the solid foundation that the current chamber leadership team has built,” said Donaldson. Donaldson holds an associate degree in applied science and has taken advantage of numerous educational opportunities to stay abreast of current chamber trends and best practices. She is a 2013 graduate of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management and 2012 graduate of the California Western Association of Chamber Executives Academy. In 2013 Donaldson guided the Indio Chamber team to achieve Four Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, placing the Indio Chamber in the top 3 percent of chambers nationwide. It is one of only 12 chambers of commerce in California to qualify. “I am eager to utilize my broad experience for the advancement, success, and prosperity of the business community. I am dedicated to securing the Carpinteria Valley Chamber as one of the top membership-based business organizations in California,” said Donaldson.
BILL SWING
Carpinteria High School baseball player Javier Jasso slid into second on his way to scoring a run in the third inning of an eventual Warrior 3-2 win over Malibu High School on May 12. Jasso, who went 3-for-4 with three stolen bases, saved his best for last by knocking a walkoff single through the infield in the bottom of the seventh inning to score Ricky Medina from third base and gather the dramatic Tri-Valley League win for the Warriors.
Planning commission green lights Rincon Trail, senior living center City of Carpinteria Planning Commissioners on May 7 took steps to usher in a future in which Carpinterians can more easily walk or bicycle to Rincon Point and have a local option for seniors to live more comfortably. The commission approved conditional use permits for the Rincon Trail, a pathway including a bridge over the railroad tracks from Carpinteria Avenue to Rincon County Park and for an office building behind Albertsons on Carpinteria Avenue to convert to a 76-bed licensed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly known as Steadfast Senior Living. Steadfast Companies representative Waad Nadhir said the average age of occupants of the proposed home would be 75, and the company has similar facilities in Southern California. He said there’s a distinction between a nursing home and elderly care facility, and Steadfast does not provide the fulltime medical service associated with nursing homes. Steadfast takes care of laundry and busses residents to doctor’s appointments, among other things. “It’s almost like a resort,” he said. “The objective is to make it feel like home.”
Commissioners voted 3-1 to approve the project. Commissioner John Callender was the no vote. Callender took issue with the city’s application of Development Impact Fees on the project, estimated at $45,617, disagreeing with their appropriateness for a renovation project. The office building conversion would require structural demolition of unnecessary interior walls in order to construct 70 living units with private bathrooms throughout the two-story, 51,539 square foot building. One portion of the building, referred to in plans as the Memory Wing, would include 19 beds and have its own secured outdoor area. The remaining 57 beds would be in the assisted living area. Plans call for a reduction of parking spaces on the site from 187 to 176, which leaves still far more than the 80 required by the city for such a use. Planning documents state there will be 44 full time and 10 part time employees at the site.
PLANNING continued on page 26