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Peter Pitchess to Speak at Newhall CC Luncheon.

Van Nuys Valley News | May 27, 1975.

(Photo caption): Spotlighted as Newhall-Saugus-Valencia Chamber of Commerce's Man, Woman of the Year, Connie Worden and Rene Veluzat receive their awards from CC officials Dick Millar and Bobbie Trueblood. From left are Millar, chamber president; Mrs. Worden, school board member; Veluzat, untiring chamber member; and Mrs. Trueblood, chairman of committee of past honorees who made selection.

(News story): Sheriff Peter Pitchess will be guest speaker at today's noon luncheon meeting of the Newhall-Saugus-Valencia Chamber of Commerce at the Ranch House Inn. Co-sponsored by the Canyon Country Chamber of Commerce, it will be the first speaking appearance the Los Angeles County Sheriff has made in the Santa Clarita Valley.

N-S-V Chamber members are invited to a monthly mixer hosted by Dr. Joseph Farinella at Golden State Hospital this evening. A buffet will be served at the hospital with dancing to follow later at Valencia Golfhouse to the music of Cindy and Company. Among special guests will be the Chamber's Man and Woman of the Year, Rene Veluzat and Connie Worden.

Made Selection

The two problem solvers with organizational powers and the capability of tackling community needs with plenty of cheerful goodwill were honored as Newhall-Saugus-Valencia CC's Man and Woman for 1975. Their selection was announced at the CC's April general meeting.

Bobbie Trueblood was chairman of committee of past honorees who made the selection. She also chaired the presentation made by 1974 honorees Judge C.M. MacDougall and Florence Chesebrough and introduced the legislative representatives who presented official proclamations of congratulations.

Veluzat has worked untiringly to recruit small and large business members for the growing chamber. He has faithfully served on the joint Chambers of Commerce road committee and sat through hours of discussion for the chamber. His own family-owned grocery store on San Fernando Road, Newhall, was closed in March when projected widening of the roadway was to have taken the parking lot and storefront.

Credits Told

Now unemployed, he has learned the widening has been postponed indefinitely and perhaps forever because of a drop in road funds and a slowing in the projected growth in the area.

Veluzat grew up in San Francisquito Canyon and is an experienced horseman and movie stuntman. Among his latest credits are a stint in now defunct "Planet of the Apes" television series.

School board member Mrs. Worden is active also on North County Planning Commission, serves as speaker for the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, and is past president of the Santa Clarita Valley League of Women Voters.

A worker for incorporation of the valley as a county and in countless other civic projects, Mrs. Worden, in accepting her citations, thanked her husband for his understanding support of her involvements.