Woohoo we’re in the red tier. What took so long? And, now let’s get to the orange and eventually yellow! Spring is closing in and with it comes renewed faith in opening back up and life as we knew it being restored. The end is in sight. But the carnage created from this pandemic is yet to be fully felt. Businesses closing pale in comparison to the lives lost.

Big changes coming to the City with the City Manager recruitment in high gear and candidates making the cut for final consideration proceeding. Final selection and approval will come down to a vote of the City Council. Stay tuned.

Speaking of changes coming, I experienced the first of what is going to be many traffic snarls expected while Caltrans begins work on the 78 transition to the 15 freeway. You were warned.

Escondido public schools have led the way with bringing back in-class schooling. Our elementary schools began this on a hybrid schedule a while ago. Well done. Speaking of our schools, we'd like to congratulate the March Rising Star students from today's awards...our future truly is bright!

The Chamber wishes to thank the San Pasqual Economic Development Corporation for their support of Escondido and the Chamber by becoming our title sponsorship for our Annual charity golf outing. This is the first time the Chamber has teamed up with the California Center for the Arts Escondido on this event. We thank Jerry VanLeeuwen and his great staff for bringing this opportunity to the Chamber. There is still time to support both organizations for this annual event. A link to the event can be found on our website or you can click here.

The real question is what’s happening at the North County Mall? First, two major closings then the pandemic hitting seem to have landed a heavy one-two punch to this Escondido/North County landmark.

If ever there was a time to support local it is now. Please consider opting to do this whenever you can. Online with its convenience and ease of processing is alluring but, doing this doesn’t help local businesses who have struggled to keep the doors open though this pandemic. And I might add doesn’t contribute to the tax base needed to supply the essential services a City provides to its populace.

The Chamber is working on a job fair with announcement of when and where coming shortly, so if you know of someone looking for a job or an employer looking to hire please let us know. Contact the Chamber and we’ll follow-up.

Along those lines the Chamber has introduced a new Facebook Group “Escondido Jobs” to help connect employers and job seekers. Check it out.

Major shifts are happening I’ve warned and we’re excited here at the Chamber as we put final touches on our endeavors. Stay tuned.