School boards: Sweetwater Union High School District, 6 p.m. Monday
Emergency rental funds program expands
Chula Vista is urging renters and landlords to apply for its Emergency Rental Assistance Program while funds are still available. Changes to the program recently enacted by the state have expanded benefits to new applicants and previously approved applications. Eligible households that have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can receive more payment assistance to help with rent and utilities. Apply at chulavistaerap.com. Financial assistance is available for past-due rent from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Tenants can also apply for past-due utilities and for current and future rent assistance. Tenants are limited to a total of 12 months of financial assistance.
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Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Cohen is expected to retire next month after serving for two decades with the organization.
Cohen will retire Aug. 3 and Bill Hall, who has served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors, will step in as interim CEO, the Chamber announced Monday.
“It has been an honor to work with and represent such a great organization,” Cohen said in a statement. “We’ve worked tenaciously to improve the business climate and have spearheaded the evolution into an organization that is inclusive of all members of the community.”
Under her leadership, the Chamber produced its first children’s book, titled “A Child’s Chula Vista,” as well as its first commercial for the city. The organization also created its second edition of the “Chula Vista Monopoly Board Game, the Sustainability Edition,” which features local businesses and the Chula Vista Elementary School District Innovation Station.
Upcoming meetings:
City councils: Chula Vista, 5 p.m. Wednesday, followed by State of the City Address at 6 p.m.;
Coronado, 4 p.m. Tuesday;
National City, 6 p.m. Tuesday
School boards: San Diego Unified School District, 4:15 p.m. Tuesday;
Santee School District, 7 p.m. Tuesday
National City workshop on park expansion
The Port of San Diego Waterfront Development department hosts a virtual community workshop from 6-8 p.m. Thursday on the expansion of Pepper Park. Come share your ideas via Zoom. Participants will explore design elements for the existing park and for the 2.5-acre future expansion as part of the Balanced Plan for the National City Bayfront. Register at http://ow.ly/v9VK50Ews5P.
Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 89 Years
By Mario A. Cortez
The Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce has a lot to look forward to this weekend. Founded in 1927, the local business association will be celebrating its 89th anniversary today, Friday, February 19 with a gala dinner at the Bonita Golf Club.
Lisa Cohen, CEO of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, has been at the helm of this organization since September of 2001. After 15 years of leading the chamber, Cohen recalled some of the challenges that local businesses in Chula Vista have faced over the years.
“We had a huge downturn of business licenses during the 2007-2008 economic recession. The City of Chula Vista lost almost half of its businesses. Since then, we have always been working on helping businesses that are currently in town, helping these expand, as well as bringing new businesses to Chula Vista,” Cohen shared with La Prensa San Diego.