The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce took a survey of its
membership last year asking about the organization’s preferred
direction on a variety of topics.
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce took a survey of its membership in the past year asking about the organization’s preferred direction on a variety of topics.
One area with a consistent message was political advocacy – and members wanted more of it.
Chamber leaders have followed up by recently jumping into the political fray – and expressing a commitment to continue doing so – on a number of matters.
Last week, the chamber announced its new rating system for political candidates, which scores aspiring politicians in a zero- to three-star system based on their prospects to do well representing the business community.
The chamber also officially endorsed the Solargen Energy solar farm that is before county supervisors and will be doing the same for the Santana Ranch proposal as well, said chamber President & CEO Jessica French.
“We want to work to have a more business-friendly government and have a closer relationship with our government officials,” French said.
In announcing its political rating system, the organization also declared how District 4 supervisor candidate Phil Fortino earned three stars to opponent Jerry Muenzer’s two stars in the chamber’s first race using the system.
According to the chamber, a three-star candidate:
– understands the economic issues that impact the business community and the problems it faces
– is ready, able and can be expected to stand up for business
– will help to maintain and create jobs and actively support future prosperity for San Benito County
Such advocacy falls in line with the chamber’s increased activism in politics – which has become more common for other chamber organizations throughout the nation, especially during such difficult economic times when people are looking for answers from government officials.
Hollister Mayor Victor Gomez, a business owner as well, sits on the chamber’s board of directors. He said it is important that business leaders are well represented in the community.
“It’s more common in the economic times we’re in,” Gomez said, of local chambers speaking out to governments. “People are looking out for jobs. They’re looking out for business growth.”
From the chamber’s announcement:
“Both Phil Fortino and Jerry Muenzer are business-friendly candidates with proven track records as business leaders and have a demonstrated passion about issues affecting local businesses. The Chamber feels that either candidate, if elected, would do an equally commendable job acting in the best interest of existing local businesses. However, the Chamber has found that Fortino’s experience as a business leader on a national level, his polished communication skills, his ability to respond quickly to questions involving business and community issues, and his confident and formidable presence sets him apart as the candidate more likely to advocate for business opportunities and strategies to increase economic development within San Benito County and thus, warranted the higher rating.”
A three-star candidate:
– understands the economic issues that impact the business community and the problems it faces, and
– is ready, able and can be expected to stand up for business, and
– will help to maintain and create jobs and actively support future prosperity for San Benito County.
