WESTMINSTER RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service)    Westminster RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) is actively seeking new members.  RACES is a public-safety volunteer group and its members are licensed Amateur Radio Operators (commonly called hams) trained to assist local government during time of emergency and disaster or for routine events and activities. They are trained and certified to provide public-safety communications support. Westminster RACES is looking for qualified ham radio operators to perform vital volunteer communications during Westminster Community Events and Disaster or Emergency Incidents.    Those interested in becoming a member of the City of Westminster RACES may contact Westminster RACES Radio Officer Chi Nguyen, KE6MVS, at 714.869.1441 or Westminster RACES Assistant Radio Officer Adam Valek, N6HVC, 714.892.5961 for further information. ARE YOU PREPARED WHEN DISASTER HITS?     West County C.E.R.T. (Community Emergency Response Team) will be offering a Training Academy for Spring 2012. Classes that will be covered during the Academy include: Introduction to Disaster Preparedness, CERT Organization, Light Search and Rescue Operations, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism and Disaster Medical Operations. Six cities comprise West County C.E.R.T.: Westminster, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach.    For further information on the upcoming West County C.E.R.T. Training Academy, please contact the Emergency Services Coordinator for the City of Westminster at 714.548.3833 or email westcountycert@yahoo.com. WESTMINSTER CHAMBER HONORS "SENIORS OF THE YEAR"    Each year Westminster Chamber of Commerce honors local seniors in recognition of their unselfish and tireless service and valuable contributions to their fellow seniors and to the Westminster Community at the annual "Salute to Seniors" Luncheon.  The Chamber thanks Westminster Memorial Park which has been the event's Presenting Sponsor since 2004 and HW Senior Apartment Homes, a Business Sponsor since 2010.    This year, four seniors were honored before the 100 luncheon guests in attendance. On hand to deliver official certificates of recogition to the Seniors of the Year were representatives including Young Kim, representing U.S. Congressman Ed Royce (40th District); Lindsay Stratton, representing California Assemblyman Jim Silva (67th District); Clinton Soffer, representing California and Nate Mitchell, representing Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen (1st District) were present to deliver the certificates and congratulations from their districts.    This years Seniors of the Year were: Victoria Langner, Emeritus at Brookhurst Larry Paschoal, Westminster Terrace David Piper, HW Senior Apartment Homes Sherri Swan, Westminster Senior Center Foundation WESTMINSTER CHAMBER NAMES BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS At the Westminster Chamber of Commerce Annual Installation & Awards Dinner in June, the annual Business Award winners were announced.  The 2011 event was sponsored and by Honda World and Lexus of Westminster.    The Chamber's Annual Membership Meeting marks the end of the year for the Chamber.  The event was held at HW Senior Apartment Homes in their newly redecorated Club House.  At this meeting, incoming Chamber Officers and Directors are Installed and outgoing Officers and Directors are recognized.  At the event, the Westminster Chamber names the Business of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year and Chamber Angel of the Year. Westminster Chamber of Commerce Congratulates the Business Award Winners: 2010 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR:    McDonald's of Westminster 2010-2011 CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR:    Joanne Vogelsang, HW Senior Apartment Homes 2010-2011 CHAMBER ANGEL OF THE YEAR:    Miriam Warne, Warne Enterprises 2011-2012 Officers and Directors This year's honorary Installation Officer was Westminster City Manager, Mitch Waller.  He delivered the oath of office to Westminster Chamber's incoming Officers for the Year 2011-2012 and to the incoming Directors whose terms will end in June 2014. 2011-2012 Officers: President:  Joanne Vogelsang, HW Senior Apartment Homes President-Elect: Sandra McClure, Baskin-Robbins CFO/Corporate Secretary: Gloria Reyes, Abrazar, Inc. Vice President, Business Education: Frances Nguyen, Golden Trophy & Awards Co-Vice President, Membership: Randy Reay, Tropic Shield Mobile Detailing Co-Vice President, Membership: Jacko Luong, Avant Outdoor Advertising Vice President, Legislation: Theresa Kasprzyk, TerraStar Media Vice President, Community: Robyn Sottile, Girl Scouts Of Orange County Directors, Class of 2011-2014: Frank Cobo, Cobo-Care Mickey Morrissey, Minuteman Press Frances Nguyen, Golden Trophy & Awards Ken Robbins, Midway City Sanitary District CITIZEN AND ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR HONORED BY CHAMBER AT 2011 PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS LUNCHEON   Each year Westminster Chamber of Commerce honors honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in public service. City Personnel including Law Enforcement, Sanitation Workers, Firefighters and Highway Patrol Officers receive Public Service Awards for merit, valor, heroism and continuous service to our community. In addition the Citizen of the Year and Organization of the Year is named at the event.    In 2011, the event was held in the Westminster Rose Center Crystal Ballroom. The Chamber was honored to have Bolsa Chica Self Storage and Los Alisos Estates as the Presenting Sponsors, Shoreline Ambulance, The Boeing Company and Time Warner Cable as Supporting Sponsors and Warne Enterprises as a Corporate Sponsor. CITIZEN OF THE YEAR - This year Robyn Sottile, Girl Scouts of Orange County, was revealed as the 2010 Citizen of the Year.  Sottile was both nominated and sponsored by Soroptimist International of Westminster.  Robyn’s passion is volunteer advocacy on issues of health and on behalf of women and children in Westminster. Robyn and her husband Rick moved to Westminster 32 years ago and raised their children, Aaron and Laura, in our community. By career a registered nurse, Robyn committed herself to volunteering in the community since her children were born. Her many volunteer credits include:  •  Westminster Chamber Board of Directors since 2000, serving in numerous positions  •  Girl Scout Council of Orange County, serving as a Girl Scout Leader for more than 20 years, on its Board, and as Westminster Service Unit Community Relations Chair  •  Soroptimist International of Westminster since 2000 - Past President, VP and active member  •  Past Member of the Westminster Senior Center Foundation Board of Directors  •  Member of the Community Coalition for Safe and Healthy Youths  •  Member of Citizens Oversight Committee for HBUSD    In addition, Robyn continues to serve many other organizations on an ad hoc basis when requested. Robyn’s dedication to Westminster and our citizens of all ages is a shining example of selfless service, and in our minds, epitomizes the ideals of “Citizen of the Year.”    The Westminster Chamber would like to thank those that donated special gifts to our Citizens of the Year: Michael’s Sports Pub & Grill; Old World German Restaurant; Outback Steakhouse; Uncle Pete’s Café and Westminster Prayer Breakfast Committee.  And once more, we congratulate Robyn Sottile, 2010 Citizen of the Year!  ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR - The Westminster Senior Center Foundation, formed in 2003, supports Westminster seniors through the Senior Center and its programs.  With 13 Directors and two senior service appointee positions, it has accomplished much for the community in seven years. The unpaid Directors, under the leadership of President Owen Eames, support and regulate the commodities program to now include fresh produce.    The Foundation also holds annual health expos to raise funds and awareness.  Recently, when Westminster obtained County funding for senior fitness equipment, they helped City staff develop the outdoor senior fitness area and purchase the area's awning. Additionally, the Foundation provides funding for various Senior Center clubs and social activities, including the City’s annual Volunteer Appreciation party. During the past year, they matched funds raised by Senior center pool players to purchase an additional pool table and resurface two existing tables.    The Foundation is a major contributor to the success of Westminster's Project S.H.U.E. program providing over $60,000 since 2003.  This intergeneration program provides an effective after-school program for at-risk children helping them improve language skills, self esteem and be more successful in school while providing seniors with part-time employment and an opportunity to make a difference in children's lives. MOMS Orange County was nominated by former Westminster Chief of Police Andrew Hall and sponsored by Uncle Pete's Café. PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS - Sixteen outstanding employees from the public service sector were honored at the luncheon from the City of Westminster, Midway City Sanitary District, Orange County Fire Authority and California Highway Patrol. CITY OF WESTMINSTER Chet Simmons, Economic Development Specialist, City Manager's Office    sponsored by Bridgecreek Realty Investment Corp. Amanda Jensen, Assistant City Clerk, City Clerk's Department    sponsored by Union Bank Jason Hogan, Business License Inspector, Community Development Department    sponsored by Michael's Sports Pub & Grill Pam Gremling, Special Events Coordinator, Community Services Department    sponsored by Lexus of Westminster Sgt. Tom Finley, Police Department    sponsored by Warne Enterprises Corp. Cameron Knauerhaze, Police Department    sponsored by Boys & Girls Club of Westminster Officer Mike Ogawa, Police Department    sponsored by HW Senior Apartment Homes Police Services Officer Cyn'd Moranville, Police Department    sponsored by Lexus of Westminster Tuan Pham, Associate Civil Engineer, Public Works Department-Engineering Division    sponsored by Lexus of Westminster Debbie Figy, Administrative Assistant Public Works Department-Maintenance Division   sponsored by TerraStar Media Carlos Garcia, Maintenance Worker II, Public Works Department-Water Division   sponsored by Coastline Community College MIDWAY CITY SANITARY DISTRICT Robert Housely, Finance Director Midway City Sanitary District    sponsored by Rainbow Disposal ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY Fire Captain Dave Steffen    sponsored by Alin Hamade, a Chamber Individual Member CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL Officer Todd Steaffens    sponsored by Westminster Memorial Park Officer Christopher Hopkins    sponsored by Westminster Memorial Park Patrick Goddard    sponsored by Westminster Memorial Park ADDITIONAL 2010 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR NOMINEES Congratulations also to Shaun Miller     sponsored by American Family Housing Congratulations also to B.J. Savage    sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Westminster CURRENTLY POSTED PUBLIC NOTICES CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CA PLANNING COMMISSION HEARINGS    The City of Westminster Planning Commission holds Public Hearings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month at 6:30 pm in the City Council Chambers, Westminster Civic Center, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, CA.  Click here for Planning Commission Agendas and Minutes. Public Notice: The Westminster Planning Commission on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at 6:30 pm, or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, will consider on the following proposal: CASE NO. 2011-66: Conditional Use Permit to establish a sports bar with approximately twenty televisions at an existing restaurant. Click here for complete text of CASE NO. 2011-66. TRAFFIC COMMISSION HEARINGS    The City of Westminster Traffic Commission holds Public Hearings on the last Tuesday each month at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, Westminster Civic Center, 8200 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, CA.  Click here for City Commission Calendar. CURRENTLY POSTED BID NOTICES CITY OF WESTMINSTER, CA    The City of Westminster is currently inviting Sealed Bids or Proposals on the following public works projects: Please re-visit this page later for future postings. Businesses may request placement on the City of Westminster's Supplier Bidders List. For a Supplier Bidders List Application or further information, click here. For a computer-friendly Word version of the Application, email the Westminster Chamber at biz@westminsterchamber.org or call 714.898.9648 and request to receive the form by email. For More Information on Joining Westminster Chamber of Commerce, Call 714.898.9648 or Email us at biz@westminsterchamber.org