CHAMBER LEADERSHIP HAS DEEP CONNECTIONS TO HOME.

Byline: Rick Coca Valley News Writer

Under President Roy Patrick Disney and former president Richard Bogey, the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce has been guided by men whose family histories in the bedroom community predate the chamber's existence.

The chamber was established in 1950, 27 years after Bogey's family helped develop and found Toluca Lake in 1923. A third-generation insurance broker in the family business, Bogey said the town was intended to be a getaway country-type neighborhood for people who worked in the city. It quickly became the neighborhood of choice for those who worked at the various film studios in the surrounding area.

Patrick Disney's grandfather, Roy Disney, Walt Disney's brother and partner, built a house in Toluca Lake in 1934.

``I have lived in Toluca Lake my whole life and my family before me, so we have almost 80 years here,'' Disney said.

Disney, an investment broker, is fully entrenched in the political, civic and commercial interests of Toluca Lake. He was elected president of the 250-member chamber a couple of months ago. He is also a member of the Neighborhood Council and the homeowners association.

``I'm not sure I'm not a walking conflict of interest,'' Disney said with a laugh.

Joking aside, Disney said unchecked growth is the biggest challenge Toluca Lake faces and he is working with community leaders and politicians to facilitate a plan that will be beneficial to residents and businesses.

``The push for density growth in the Valley is overwhelming,'' Disney said. ``What we're looking for is intelligent growth. Some planning and sanity to it would be good for the community as a whole.''

While Disney would like to see Toluca Lake retain its 20th century charm, he hopes the chamber is, technologically speaking, at the forefront of the 21st century.

Disney said he'd like to update the chamber's Web site and create a better way for members to communicate besides a monthly Web site.

``(I'd like to) make it more of a resource than a billboard, less static, more dynamic,'' Disney said.

The Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce has several events throughout the year to benefit its residents, businesses and neighbors.

Its Holiday Open House, hosted by honorary mayor and NBC weatherman Fritz Coleman, is held the first Friday of December and attracts between 15,000 and 18,000 people.

Its beautification committee raises money for welcome signs, benches, planters and other community improvements. Through the Neighborhood Tree Project, members have planted 210 trees in Toluca Lake in the past year and a half.

In recent years, the chamber has resurrected the community pancake breakfasts of Disney and Bogey's youth and used the proceeds as a fundraiser for the Toluca Lake fire station.

Disney described the Toluca Lake of yesteryear, made famous by the two Bobs: resident and comedian Bob Hope and the historic Bob's Big Boy Restaurant.

``There was a market, a five-and-dime, a drug store where we did all our Christmas shopping,'' Disney said. ``It was a nice sleepy, small community.''

Disney said his famous family name doesn't give him any advantages in his pursuits as chamber president.

``In the end, you have to do the job anyway,'' Disney said. ``And so that's what I intend to do.''

The Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce can be reached at [phone] or log on to www.tolucalakechamber.com.

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Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce President Roy Patrick Disney.