Some candidates did not seek Chamber backing

City council candidate Laura Brown told the Voice this week that she never sought endorsement from Mountain View's Chamber of Commerce, the business organization that announced last week that, for the first time, it is supporting some candidates in the local election.

Brown took issue with a report in the Voice which noted the Chamber's endorsement of five candidates for the three open four-year seats; the story did not mention why other candidates in the 11-person field were not endorsed.

The Chamber endorsed incumbent Mike Kasperzak, Matt Neely, Rosiland Bivings, Tom Frankum and Pat Figueroa. Four other candidates -- Brown, Liz Boewer-Ambra, Nick Galiotto, Bob Weaver and Timothy Devitt -- did not seek the Chamber's backing.

Candidates Bruce Karney, Greg :Perry both filled out the Chamber questionnaire but qualified their acceptance of an endorsement. Chris Kuszmaul said he was uncertain whether he filled out the questionnaire and did not actively seek the endorsement.

"I did not complete the Chambers's questionnaire or interview because I felt that it would be at odds with my commitment to putting residents first," Brown said.

She added that while she supports the business community, "I do not believe that the Chamber put residents or local business first when it actively supported the initiative to put a Home Depot at the old Emporium site."

Carol Olson, the Chamber's president and CEO, said she was disappointed that some candidates chose not to fill out the questionnaire provided to candidates, and called candidates who did not answer the 18 questions "not business friendly."

"By not responding to the questionnaire, the business community does not have an opportunity to even know what a candidate's stances are on issues that are important to them," Olson said.

Brown and Perry said they shied away from Chamber support due to its effort seek reimbursement for its services from the city after losing its $1 a year rent arrangement for its city-owned building.

"The fact that they are scheduled to begin paying one-half of the fair market rent next year is no doubt a major reason they for the first time have decided to endorse city council candidates," Brown said.

Olson pointed out that the Chamber is the only business advocacy organization endorsing in the race. It is doing so to provide information to its members about the business views of the candidates, Olson said.

The Chamber believes they should be compensated for the service they provide for the city, acting as its visitors bureau.

Ref. Chamber of Commerce Mountain View

NOTE FROM CEO:

Chambers of Commerce serve as an advocate for the community and business as well as a resource for consumers and businesses dedicated to serving both the needs of our members and the economic development needs of the broader community. The Chambers of Commerce work year round to strengthen community prosperity and livability.