San Martin Chamber Board of Directors (l-r): David Domenichini, Trina Hineser, John Mocabee, Elise Brentnall, Connie Ludewig,
Wendy Underhill, and Marilyn Librers, Executive Director. (President Mark Peebles was not available for the photo. He was with his
son as he prepared for deployment with the US Army.)
S
San Martin Chamber of Commerce
Written By Larry Mickartz
an Martin is an
unincorporated area
between Morgan Hill and Gilroy. It has a
little over 7,000 residents. It has a strong
agriculture base and a few wineries.
It does not have a lot of businesses or
industries. So why does San Martin
need a Chamber of Commerce?
The mission statement of the San
Martin Chamber sums it up nicely.
The Mission of the Chamber is to:
• promote local serving business,
• stimulate the economic, general
public interest of the residents
within San Martin,
• build strong community bonds,
• strengthen San Martin’s independent
and unique identity within Santa
Clara Valley,
• seek to work in harmony with
individuals and business, govern-
ment and civic organizations within
30
the greater community, and
• protect the San Martin’s small town
rural character, which makes San
Martin special.
The Chamber is non-partisan, non-
sectarian, and non-discriminatory.
In the absence of a local political or
governmental entity to promote San
Martin, the Chamber is stepping up to
“promote local serving business” but also
to “stimulate” the “public interests” and
“community bonds” of the area while
strengthening its “independent and
unique identity.”
Over the years the San Martin
Neighborhood Alliance has sought to fill
this void and is now partnering with the
new Chamber in promoting the varied
interests of San Martin.
While first promoting business
needs, the Chamber is taking on some
functions of a local government. San
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
APRIL/MAY 2018
Martin is officially governed by the Santa
Clara County Board of Supervisors. The
County is large and very diverse which
can put it at odds with the unique needs
of this community.
The San Martin Chamber is a
totally volunteer based organization.
As a volunteer, Marilyn Librers, former
Morgan Hill Councilperson, has steppe d
into the role of Chamber Executive. The
Chamber has already organized several
community clean-up projects and a
variety of community building activities.
Back in September 2017 the Chamber
hosted a very successful mixer at
Clos LaChance Winery.
The Chamber was incorporated in
March of 2017 and is working through
the practical details of their lofty mission.
At a recent board meeting John Mocabee,
Vice President and acting chair, noted
that “It’s a vision and we are on the
ground floor.”
gmhtoday.com