Chamber of Commerce installs new officers

The Corning Chamber of Commerce installed new directors and officers during its annual dinner Saturday evening.

Outgoing Chamber President Marti Syed thanked the directors as she introduced new Chamber President Terry Barbo.

"I am honored and privileged to accept the presidency of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors," she said. "This is the community I grew up in, that I love and support."

Barbo said becoming president of the board was never one of her priorities.

"However, after much soul searching and the persistent nudging of a few, it became clear that I needed to do this," she stated.

Barbo was sworn-in by Mayor Gary Strack, along with Directors Sonja Akers, Jerry Crow, Keri Dean, Kate Estes, Carolann Fernandez, Linda Hill, Toni Miller, Kistin Pena, Maria Salas, President-elect Ronda Haywood and Treasurer Christina Meeds.

The new president said she believes the purpose of the Chamber of Commerce is to promote and protect the interests of its members, to advocate on behalf of its businesses, and to promote business and community growth.

"With this in mind, my theme and focus for this year will be 'Working together in our Community,'" Barbo stated. "The Chamber derives its strength from the community and brings strength to the community. I am open to any thoughts or ideas that will make us stronger."

The annual dinner is home to the presentation of three different awards. This year the Chamber presented the Business of the Year to Phil's Automotive owned by Earl Peterson.

The Volunteer of the Year went to Lisa Rodriguez for her efforts with the Pay it Forward, a volunteer group committed to the improvement of Corning's downtown.

"This person is truly a quiet leader. Not wanting to be in the forefront, but has the gift of bringing people together to make things happen without taking any of the credit," said Chamber Manager Valanne Cardenas said of Rodriguez.

Dot Linnet was the recipient of the "Hometown Hero" award. Cardenas introduced Linnet as a "person who would give the coat off her back if someone needed it and even the last dollar in her pocket."

Cardenas described Linnet as a person who provides food for the homeless, collects recyclables and recycles the money right back to events in the community, and brings joy to many by bringing flowers to them for no particular reason.

The award recipients were presented with plaques from the Chamber and certificates from Assemblyman Dan Logue, Sen. Jim Nielsen, and Rep. Doug LaMalfa.

"We are fighting for you in Sacramento because we need you," Logue told the chamber board.

On behalf of Rabobank, Bank Manager Andrea White presented the Chamber of Commerce with a $1,500 donation, Bell Carter also presented $1,500. Tehama County Supervisor Dennis Garton presented a $1,739 donation and the City of Corning gave $4,000.

Strack provided a State of the City presentation during which he talked about Corning's $4.39 million budget, city organization and staff. He also talked about recent projects, and those that are ongoing and upcoming projects.

The ongoing projects are the Solano Street Repaving and Rodgers Theatre Renovation.

Upcoming projects include phase one of the new Community Park, Safe Routes to Schools, Solano Streetscape and southwest waterline extension.

Dinner for the evening was provided by Linda Lima and entertainment by Miles Leyva, Tehama County ambassador, Miss Corning Catlin Ochs, and Golden State Youth Ambassadress Megan Mandolfo.