Posted by: Bethany on 02/01/2008 10:27 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/04/2008 09:02 AM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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Lt. Governor John Garamendi Visits Calaveras as Chamber Guest Speaker ~ By Bethany Monk (Video Enclosed)
Angels Camp, C.A…Lt. Governor John Garamendi, a Calaveras native, served as the keynote speaker at the Calaveras Chamber of Commerce Annual Installation Dinner Friday, Feb. 1 at Camps Restaurant at Greenhorn Creek in Angels Camp….
California Lt. Governor John Garamendi
About 150 people enjoyed a buffet-style dinner and an eclectic wine selection, followed by Garamendi’s speech, which focused on his childhood in Calaveras – with some stories of his days as a Mokelumne Hill Elementary student – as well as current issues facing California.
He spoke about the state’s need to re-establish and rebuild technical schools …“so that we’re able to generate within our community jobs,” that will allow people to make a good living and so those types of jobs “stay here.”
"We shut down these vocational programs in the state in the 80's and 90's," he said, adding that "we need to start these back up again...so that people with these skills can participate in the economy."
He commented on the state's budget when an audience member asked what the state plans to do to help attract public school teachers.
"This year's budget will really be challenging," he said, adding that this year's cuts to education funding may cut some teaching, counseling and administrative jobs in the public school sector. Simplifying district categorical funding is one way to help fight the cuts, he said.
"It's going to be one of those watershed years," he said, adding that California will get through it. "California has a can-do, will-do, get-out-of-the-way mind set ... we don't always win, but we're going to try."
Later in the evening, Garamedi and Calaveras Chamber of Commerce executive director Diane Gray honored Mark Twain St. Joseph's Hospital of San Andreas with the Chamber of Commerce 2008 Business of the Year Award.
"We are so pleased to be recognized," said hospital president Feliciano Jiron. Garamendi, and representatives from the offices of Sentator Dave Cox and Congressman Dan Lungren, presented Jiron with accolades, including a plaque and letters of congratulations.
Other nominees included Bank of Rio Vista, Castle & Cook, Central Sierra Lodging, Mother Lode Bank, Pacific West Financial Group, Sierra Nevada Recreation Group, and Top Quality Insulation.
The entire event was "fantastic," Jack Boeding, Chamber president said, when asked about his evening. "We're very fortunate to get him."
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