gmhTODAY 19 gmhToday April May 2018 | Page 30

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