March News from The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce

  Fresh Beginnings for Chamber

    Well spring is here (don't let the snowstorm last week fool you). Spring has always symbolically represented rebirth and fresh beginnings. This month a large focus was placed on our          Nomination Committee and reaching out to our membership to solicit new directors as we have 5 directors terming out in July. I am excited about the people who said yes to volunteering, yes to serving our community and yes to helping the Lakeside economy thrive! The announcements will be forthcoming but I can assure you the 2011-2012 Board of Directors represents ALL facets of our beautiful Lakeside and is a team that will push the Chamber to new limits and accomplishments.
     While spring puts the spotlight on new and fresh it is important that we remember our past and how we got to where we are today. We lost 2 great leaders last month.
    Rick Smith and Larry Good, two men whose influence deeply affected Lakeside.
     Larry Good was Chamber president in 1988, a Lifetime Lakeside Optimist member, an elks Lodge member and a member of the Moose Lodge. He served and helped all his life and educated younger men like myself about the value of service; that serving other people is the greatest thing you can do. Another lesson I learned from my friend and Optimist brother was the value of being honest, even when it is tough, and holding to your principles regardless of the reception you may receive. R.I.P Larry you will be missed.
     I was not lucky enough to know Rick Smith as well as I knew Larry but I know of his accomplishments. Rick's life was a life of service to his community and his resume stunning: Rick was an elected member of the Lakeside Community Planning Group for nearly 30 years (the last 8 as Chair), an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Lakeside Fire Protection District for 20 years including several years as their Board President. Rick was the President of the Fire District's Association of California for two years and was a member of their Board of Directors for several more. He served two years as the President of the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, received the Harry J. Spence Citizen of the Year award in 1999 and worked closely with County Supervisor,   Dianne Jacob, to improve the community of Lakeside while helping to maintain the small-town-feeling that its residents love. I think Rick and Larry both lived as epitomes of the core value of Lakeside - getting it done w/ no accolades because it is the right thing to do.
     It has often been said that you cannot stop change; it is too strong a force. While I agree that you cannot stop it, I do believe that we can manage it. It is important while moving forward to make sure we honor and maintain the values of the past and the leaders that helped shaped the community today and the values that have come to live and breathe in us.

See you at the Lakeside rodeo and Western Days Parade!

James Fread
President, Lakeside Chamber of Commerce

james.fread.qpv1@statefarm.com