158 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

Hey Chad, I'm a member of the Chamber and volunteer as an Ambassador. They are always looking for the next leaders, and as a business-support organization are looking for business-friendly candidates.

 

Why don't you contact them?

[Chad Vander Veen]

Hey Chad, I'm a member of the Chamber and volunteer as an Ambassador. They are always looking for the next leaders, and as a business-support organization are looking for business-friendly candidates.

 

Why don't you contact them?

 

I will Steve. And I very much support local business. In fact, it troubles me that Folsom has seemed content with building ever more strip malls (that often sit empty) and too few corporate job centers. And I just think people should know that their Chamber is prepared to spend serious money, $50,000, to ensure things don't change.   

[ducky]

While I think being business-friendly is important, I hope you won't forget to be resident-friendly also.

[Chad Vander Veen]

While I think being business-friendly is important, I hope you won't forget to be resident-friendly also.

 

Never. Business support is great, but business doesn't (or shouldn't anyway) elect people. I am running to serve the people of Folsom and no one else. 

[ducky]

 

Never. Business support is great, but business doesn't (or shouldn't anyway) elect people. I am running to serve the people of Folsom and no one else. 

Happy to hear it.  You've got my vote.

[Steve Heard]

Businesses are owned by, run by, sell to, buy from and hire people, so being business-friendly means people will have jobs, and some of those people will be Folsom residents, and resident or no, some of them will spend money on food, gas, merchandise and entertainment at Folsom businesses, many of which employ or are owned by Folsom residents.

 

So, being business-friendly is being resident-friendly.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Businesses are owned by, run by, sell to, buy from and hire people, so being business-friendly means people will have jobs, and some of those people will be Folsom residents, and resident or no, some of them will spend money on food, gas, merchandise and entertainment at Folsom businesses, many of which employ or are owned by Folsom residents.

 

So, being business-friendly is being resident-friendly.

 

To a certain extent, yes. A woman I met at Neighborhood Night Out asked me if I was pro-business. I told her yes I was. Judging by her reaction pro-business meant something different to her than it does to me. To me it's about encouraging the growth of good, well-paying jobs and the sort of companies that provide them. But to others being pro-business might mean, for example, kowtowing to the whims of moneyed developers who in some cases do not put being resident-friendly very high on their priority list. 

[Rich_T]

Did you know that the Folsom Chamber's political action committee has already amassed $50,000 to keep incumbents in office? That's a lotta dough to keep the status quo. 

 

The Folsom Chamber of Commerce should let Folsom residents vote without trying to influence the decision.  But it's a quasi-political organization that can't leave it alone.

[Chad Vander Veen]

 

The Folsom Chamber of Commerce should let Folsom residents vote without trying to influence the decision.  But it's a quasi-political organization that can't leave it alone.

 

The Chamber has already issued their endorsements for...the incumbents. To my knowledge the Chamber never even considered endorsing any challengers. It's a shame the Chamber is obviously more interested in the good of their political pals than the good of the city. They've already got $50,000 to spend on reelecting the incumbents and are soliciting even more https://www.dropbox....InviteFinal.pdf

[TruthSeeker]

Did you know that the Folsom Chamber's political action committee has already amassed $50,000 to keep incumbents in office? That's a lotta dough to keep the status quo. 

 

Yep. That's why they set up BizPac, to ensure they can continue to legally "bribe/influence" the current council members to sway local business development decisions to help increase company profits. (ie: South of 50 project, etc).

 

At least they are up front about "owning" the current city council on their chamber website:

 

BizPAC is a non-partisan Folsom Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee (PAC) involved in influencing the outcome of elections that impact Folsom’s employers and our community’s quality of life.
Since membership dues cannot be used for campaign contributions, BizPAC was formed to serve the political interests of its members.
Contributions are used to support candidates and political causes that will grow our local economy and protect jobs.

[New Girl]

BizPac is not paid for by the Chamber.  Members can elect to contribute an additional amount for BizPac when they pay their dues but a lot of members choose not to.  

[Steve Heard]

 

Yep. That's why they set up BizPac, to ensure they can continue to legally "bribe/influence" the current council members to sway local business development decisions to help increase company profits. (ie: South of 50 project, etc).

 

At least they are up front about "owning" the current city council on their chamber website:

 

BizPAC is a non-partisan Folsom Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee (PAC) involved in influencing the outcome of elections that impact Folsom’s employers and our community’s quality of life.
Since membership dues cannot be used for campaign contributions, BizPAC was formed to serve the political interests of its members.
Contributions are used to support candidates and political causes that will grow our local economy and protect jobs.

 

 

I don't see it that way. People pay for signs and contribute to campaigns hoping that those signs and campaigns will influence the vote, just as Chad is hoping his campaign will do.

 

Of course they're up front about it. They have nothing to hide. In their endorsement, they say, " Folsom offers its residents and business leaders a fine quality of life - and this is not by chance. During the toughest of economic times, the Folsom City Council has shown great leadership - helping our economy and jobs grow! 

 

...they are being challenged by four candidates who do not share their experience and record of job creation."

 

It's okay to disagree with their endorsements, but I don't think there's a conspiracy afoot.

 

I think if one believes in that statement, they will vote for the incumbents. 

 

If they believe there is reason for a change they may be willing to take a chance on the less experienced challengers.

[Rich_T]

None of the incumbents were "experienced" when first elected.  Do we really have to have council members for life, or can we elect less politically experienced people to represent us?

 

Phrases like "has shown great leadership" and "record of job creation" are, to my mind, utter drivel.  Anyone who's worked in the corporate world should be able to use the BS filter on words like that.  The Chamber simply knows what it's getting with the incumbents, and so endorses them. 

[Steve Heard]

None of the incumbents were "experienced" when first elected.  Do we really have to have council members for life, or can we elect less politically experienced people to represent us?

 

Phrases like "has shown great leadership" and "record of job creation" are, to my mind, utter drivel.  Anyone who's worked in the corporate world should be able to use the BS filter on words like that.  The Chamber simply knows what it's getting with the incumbents, and so endorses them. 

 

Of course that is true, but it seems when one's favorite candidate has more experience, we attack the other's lack there of, and when our favorite lacks experience, we say it doesn't matter. 

 

Experience and history aside, I think what truly matters to most voters is whether or not we think a candidate will represent us, vote the way want them to, say the things we want to hear, and keep the promises they make, to the best of their ability.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Steve, I appreciate your effort to be fair and equitable in this discussion. The reality is, and I think you'll agree, that with $50,000 at the ready and more on the way, the incumbents have a distinct advantage over any challenger. Experience and record of job creation take a distant back seat to money. That said, it means I have to get creative. So if anyone wants to help me, here's a way to do so. 

 

Any of you going to Tap Folsom tomorrow? Would you be willing to hand out some of my campaign business cards? Let me know and I'll bring you some. I won't be there - I'm staying at home with our boys so my wife gets a well-deserved ladies night out. But she'll be distributing some as well.