P A R A M O U N T
August 2020
PULSE BEAT Paramount Chamber of Commerce (paramountchamber.com) • Serving the community since 1947
City breaks ground for new water well
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he Paramount City Council broke ground for the Paramount Water Company’s new Well #16 on July 21. The well has been drilled, and the final phase of the project now begins with the installation of equipment. The site will begin pumping water by fall 2021. The new well—Paramount’s fourth—will help keep water rates low and as affordable as possible for customers. (The city’s rates are consistently among the lowest in the region.) The well will also provide a more consistent water supply that reduces dependence on imported water, saving the city hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. (Also see From the Mayor’s Desk on page 3.) Shown above ( from left) are Councilmember Isabel Aguayo, Councilmember Vilma Cuellar Stallings, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Vice Mayor Brenda Olmos and Councilmember Laurie Guillen. They’re all wearing “#WeAreParamount” T-shirts.
Chamber holds virtual annual installation New Paramount Chamber President Alicia Valadez
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he Paramount Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new president and three new members to its board of directors on June 25 at its annual Installation Meeting—which was held virtually via computer for the first time because of restrictions on gatherings due to COVID-19. This meeting usually includes a well-attended luncheon and an awards ceremony recognizing achievements of Chamber members during the past year, but, unfortunately, that gathering will have to be postponed until the coronavirus is under control. Alicia Valadez from Northgate Gonzalez Markets was installed as the new Chamber President. Outgoing President Ben Berg of Transcom Telecommunications figuratively passed the gavel and expressed his sincerest best wishes to Alicia as she assumed her position during unprecedentedly challenging times. Ben remains on the board. “I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve, and I’ll do my best to help the Chamber and our business community remain strong during this awful pandemic and to rebuild once our lives start getting back to normal,” Alicia said. “I’m going to need help from all of you and from our dedicated Chamber staff and Chamber Ambassadors. Together, we’ll weather this storm and help our businesses and community to get back on track as quickly as possible.” Three new members joined the board: Leeor Alpern of World Energy Paramount, Randy Gualajara of ACE Clearwater, Inc., and David Lattimer of SC Fuels. (Continued on page 6.)
PULSE BEAT Paramount Chamber of Commerce 15357 Paramount Boulevard Paramount, California 90723 Telephone: 562-634-3980 paramountchamber.com
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From the Mayor’s Desk.....................................................................................................................................................................................3 “Paramount Al Fresco” outdoor dining ......................................................................................................................................................4 Public Safety: Crime rates keep dropping................................................................................................................................................5 PEP Talk: Tips for keeping up with schoolwork at home...................................................................................................................5 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Ambassadors recognized.................................................................................6 Paramount market hours during pandemic............................................................................................................................................9 Business Corner: Pivot your business during the COVID-19 crisis.............................................................................................10 Restaurant services available during pandemic...................................................................................................................................11 Latest COVID-19 guidelines.........................................................................................................................................................................13 CityScape.............................................................................................................................................................................................................16