COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

Over the past several months I have participated in a lot of informal discussions at service club meetings about what needs to be done to stimulate the economy and get businesses in a position to start hiring employees.

The discussions have been with bankers, mortgage brokers, small-business owners, elected officials, city employees, educators, the unemployed and retirees.

Here are some of the best ideas that were discussed:

Local stimulation — city, county and chamber of commerce leaders should meet with retail and commercial property owners to talk about vacancies and lease rates.

We see more small businesses closing doors as the lease rates go up. One ice cream store owner asked what would he have to charge for a single-scoop cone when the new property owner raised his rent 300%, his biggest single expense.

This was the third store closed due to excessive rent increases. How about a moratorium on rate increases until the economy improves?

Cities and counties could reduce the time it takes to get approval for a new business in a previously leased space.

A new restaurant going into a building vacated by a restaurant a few months before should not have to wait six to eight months to get the approvals for opening.

As cities, counties, school districts and government agencies look for ways to cut their expenses, there is a shining light for others to follow.

A police officers union at an Inland Empire city decided to forgo its annual pay increase this year to prevent layoffs of fellow officers.

It is time that unions, management associations, etc., at all levels, consider sacrificing salary increases for the collective good of keeping their fellow workers employed.

Keep your increases and contribute to increased unemployment — of your fellow workers!

Cities, counties and government agencies should not look to raise fees to consumers as a solution to making up the difference between income and expenses.

Ontario International Airport has lost some airlines and flights in recent months.

The response for the lost income? Raise the landing and gate fees nearly a 100% for the remaining airlines.

That will not promote additional flights with existing airlines, nor promote new airlines wanting to use Ontario Airport. The increased costs will be passed on to the traveler, thus raising ticket prices and reducing the number of travelers.

Stimulation from Washington, D.C. — there is an easy solution to the mortgage crisis that would reduce everyone’s losses and not involve taxpayer money.

Take the mortgages of those who are in trouble and convert them to a 60-year mortgage, thus cutting in half the monthly mortgage payment.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could come out with a 4% loan rate for 30-year or 60-year mortgages. That would get people out of the adjustable mortgages and into a mortgage they could afford. Banks, Freddie and Fannie would have a good loan, rather than one in foreclosure, taking it off the toxic loan list.

Congress, on its next stimulus plan, could refund all income taxes paid by individuals and families in 2008.

That would be approximately equal to $1 trillion they plan to spend in government programs to stimulate the economy. With a large 2008, 100% tax refund check, individuals and families could then buy what they have been holding off on doing, i.e. cars, vacations, tuition, thus helping the sources of the sour economy and areas of unemployment — the automobile and hospitality industries, housing, financial services, airlines, and education. Then watch the economy and employment grow with businesses needing to hire people and expand services to keep up with the demand.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council…

“Anyone can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend’s success.”

— Oscar Wilde

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? Help your community and the world through a service club! For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunity for service.

Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TODAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Noon: The 20-member Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

5:15 p.m.: The 15-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Metro Center at South Coast, 555 Anton Blvd., Suite 150 for a program by Jason Hartman of Platinum Properties.

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Newport Beach Councilwoman Leslie Daigle on Newport Beach Back Bay dredging.

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn, Costa Mesa, www.CostaMesaKiwanis.org;

The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, www.newportbeachkiwanis.org;

The 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI, www.ni-rotary.org;

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 55-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns Restaurant for a program by Dr. Andrew Fujita: “Wellness: Taking care of yourself.” For details, go to www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

6 p.m.: The Irvine New Generations Rotary Club meets at Tapas Restaurant, Newport Beach.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to [email protected].