To be completely up front I should divulge my general disdain for the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce’s legislative action team policies that center around unproven, even disproved ideological beliefs about the relationship between business tax breaks and social welfare. For example, one team member representing the chamber delivered a series of power point presentations around the county falsely alleging that “business friendly states” had lower poverty rates and less illegal drug use. If only Oregon was more business friendly all would be better he asserted which is especially funny now in light of the Ernst & Young report that Oregon has the lowest effective tax rate in the nation. In short, the team doesn’t really think things through but operates on false assumptions.
According to a letter from Timm Slater, the legislative action team has been “tasked with making endorsement recommendations” and the Bay Area Chamber has identified the commission race between John Sweet and Don Gurney as “having significant importance to the Chamber and local businesses.” A questionnaire does a spectacular job of exposing the team’s egocentric view and exposing its predetermined conclusions. One question asks for a position on the CEP (Community Enhancement Plan) and two questions are concerned with funding county services. If it were me, I would answer that doing away with the CEP will go a long way toward ensuring “a sustainable budget.” Since Gurney is running in opposition to the CEP pandering to the chamber is clearly a waste of time.
Additionaly, the chamber has a long and highly dubious record of endorsing losers. Fred Messerle and Kevin Stufflebean were ‘chamber approved’ candidates. The chamber backed giving the basically defunct ORC $2.5 million in tax breaks and came out in force to urge the county commission to lease the company mineral rights under the county forest days before the company ceased operations and laid off forty-five workers. ORC is now facing fines from DEQ for illegally discharging millions of gallons of mining process water into the slough. The biggest fiasco of all, the 12″ county owned pipeline was also a chamber favorite. The chamber should just hide its collective head in shame, instead its posturing as if its approval actually means something to working class voters.
Honestly, who in their right mind would want a chamber endorsement? Oh, I forgot. Melissa Cribbins and John Sweet, that’s who.
Don’t watch this if your pro LNG. It will upset your apple cart.
http://watchdisruption.com/
That questionnaire is a joke. Was it written by a high school summer intern? It favors Sweet. Half a dozen friends of Gurney should help him write his reply. And his reply should be posted online. His being honest would not be responsive as the document is written. And speaking of being honest, Sweet’s only reply to number 1 must be that he did not tell us the truth when he promised not to run again. I’m sure that we will hear that he has unfinished business. Regarding number 3, what has Sweet done while a commissioner, forget the future. Regarding number 4, Sweet told us that there was much misinformation going around and said that he “wished” that he could tell us. When challenged to do so, he climbed under his rock. Time to reply. And, I lost interest in the questionnaire at number 4. After reading the questionnaire, is there any reason why the chamber is ineffective? Add the SCDC where the young leader has spent more time in the doctors office as HR person or in the New Zealand day spa than she has spent in the business development arena.
Hey, how about some free suggestions for an improved Chamber questionnaire? Like, do you favor giving more money to SCDC, in perpetuity? Do you favor the John Knutson method of economic development? Do you feel Port Commissioners should actually reply to questions by the public? What role do you think the Chamber, B.S. Oregon, SCDC, FONSI, the Port or Chris Claflin from the state play in the economic development of Coos county?