The Editor's Back Fence

Berkeley Chamber of Commerce is Electioneering Again

Sunday February 20, 2011 - 03:06:00 PM

The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is entitled to its opinion. But we don't have to agree with it, and we don't. 

The Planet resigned from the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce after three successive reasonable-seeming CEOs were let go by an organization that seems to have more than promoting Berkeley business on its agenda. Nevertheless, we continue to get their emails.  

In today's email, the following solicitation makes us want to take our business elsewhere. Maybe it's time to organize a boycott of Berkeley Chamber members if they can't keep their fingers off of local politics.  

"Have you voted on "OPEN TOWN HALL" yet? 

Exercise you right to vote! [sic] 

Should the City Council amend West Berkeley zoning to allow conversion of warehouse and/or wholesale spaces to other uses including research and development (R&D)? 

The deadline for voting on this question is: 

NOON - TODAY - TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22. 

Some Council members have launched "Open Town Hall" to solicit the opinions of Berkeleyans @ www.opentownhall.com. 

Currently, the tally of those who have voted on this question is: 

Yes 207 

No 31 

Neutral 2 

Maybe 30 

This is an opportunity for you to express your opinion in addition to (or instead of) attending a City Council meeting. 

The Chamber of Commerce supports the zoning amendments to increase the opportunity of R&D in West Berkeley. If you agree, please lend your support to this effort! 

PLEAESE VOTE YOUR OPINION BY NOON TODAY 

www.berkeleychamber.com"