Chamber update July 3

Chamber Community Update:
July 3, 2007

Business Information:

Business License renewal fees are due to the city by July 31 – questions should be directed to Hilary Edison @ 542.6012

Community Assistance Information:

All outlets are requesting you communicate to those in need to please stop by and pick up clothing, toiletries, water etc. No further donations of this sort are needed at this time until volunteers are able to sort further and assess the next level of needs.

Those wishing to make a cash donation (much needed) may do so at any US Bank or mail to the Angora Fire Fund (Locals for Locals) @ any US Bank or mail to PO Box 17640 , South Lake Tahoe , CA 96151 . The parameters for distribution of these funds will be determined by a committee of local community leaders from social services agencies, service clubs, faith based organizations, businesses and financial and legal experts without administrative costs being deducted. More details to be released very soon! A number of organizations and community groups are planning on hosting events and activities and donating those funds to this account in the coming weeks.

As we have been saying since last Monday it is imperative that ALL survivors of the fire go to the Local Assistance Center (LAC) to register whether they are seeking housing and aid or not. This will help authorities apply for Federal funds as well as provide an accurate and central registry for this information. The center is located at the College and is open from 10am to 7pm daily.

Governor Schwarzenegger has issued an executive order requiring state agencies to assist survivors in replacing their vital documents such as driver licenses, birth certificates and vehicle registrations. A representative is located at the LAC.

The coming days, weeks and months will bring a variety of emotional issues for many. Please stay alert to signals from those around you and know that support is available through the Red Cross mental health care staff, the El Dorado mental health department and Tahoe Youth and Family services.

What can do to help?

It is really important we prevent the community from being burned by the Angora fire a second time.

In order to ensure we do not begin to lose jobs and a portion of our economy the LTVA and Chamber have been working in earnest since early last week to ensure the national and international media that the fire did not impact the resort areas, the lake and the bountiful recreation opportunities that a visitor may enjoy here at the Lake. Both of these organizations will continue to focus on this message.

What you can do right now –

Share the message with family and friends who live elsewhere and ask them to tell their friends that we are healing and open for business. They can help by visiting and purchasing goods and services from our merchants here in person or online.

If you provide a service or sell a product - please do so at a fair price with Blue Ribbon Service as we put our best foot forward for one another and our visitors.

If you purchase products or services – please do so here in the Basin and avoid shopping online or off the hill whenever and however you can. This ensures that your dollar is multiplied within your community as business owners survive and much needed sales tax revenue goes to local government to help it help us.

Insurance Information:

A limited number of free insurance inventory books are available at either Chamber offices for homeowners who lost their homes. (Limited to one per household) 3066 Lake Tahoe Boulevard or 169 Highway 50. Additional copies will be delivered to the Local Assistance Center at the college today. These books have been provided to our community free of charge by www.unitedpolicyholders.org

A list of insurance company phone numbers has been compiled by the Insurance Information Network of California and can be located at www.iinc.org

Recovery Information and Debris Removal Plan:

We have been told that the county will be hosting a public meeting this Thursday evening for homeowners to explain the debris removal plan. Stay tuned for additional information as we are waiting for them to provide it to us.

What can we do in the future?

Keep the survivors and their needs at the forefront of our minds especially through the holidays and into next year.

There will be many opportunities to assist and volunteer as homes are repaired, rebuilt and yards cleaned well into next year and it will be important that we as a community stick together and help as needs arise. For example perhaps you may be able to assist a survivor by purchasing shrubs and plants and helping to landscape their yard.