Local businesses rally for Pico Local businesses rally for Pico (August 29, 2003)

Fundraisers support 20th District campaign race
by Jeb Bing

Pleasanton business leaders, many who have voted against Tom Pico over the years in his successful runs for mayor and the City Council, are rallying in support of his bid for the 20th District state Assembly seat.

Pico, who is serving his second term as mayor after eight years as a councilman, is vying for the Democratic nomination in the March 2 primary to succeed Assemblyman John Dutra (D., Fremont), who must vacate the post because of term limits. Three others are also seeking the nomination in the Democrat-dominated district that includes Fremont, Union City, Newark, Milpitas and parts of Pleasanton, San Jose, Hayward and Castro Valley.

"I've supported every candidate who ever ran against him, but in the Democratic-controlled 20th District and state Assembly, we need Tom Pico," said Frank Capilla, owner of Can-Am Plumbing in Pleasanton. "Tom understands that small businesses are being choked by workers' comp and construction liability claims brought on by trial lawyers, and I am confident he would work to reform these problems."

Capilla is one of five business leaders who are hosting a $200 a plate fundraising breakfast next Wednesday to boost Pico's campaign funds, which totaled just under $80,000 at the last reporting period on June 30. The event, which is expected to draw up to 100 business representatives from the Tri-Valley, will be held at the Satellite Racing facility at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, off Valley Avenue.

The other co-sponsors of Wednesday's breakfast are Kile Morgan Jr., president of Ponderosa Homes; Dee Wilson, a retired construction company owner; Tony Macchiano of Pleasanton Garbage Service; and Mark Sweeney of CM Realty Inc., who represents Ponderosa Homes and was also a developer of Hacienda Business Park.

Another Pleasanton businessman, Jim Tong, owner of Charter Properties in Hacienda Business Park, hosted a $1,000 a plate luncheon Aug. 14 as part of his effort to raise at least $100,000 for Pico's campaign. Tong, whose company is in the commercial property development business, has proposed building townhomes and affordable housing units in the nearly vacated Vintage Hills Center at Tawny and Bernal.

Sweeney said it's important for the business community to help in Pico's campaign.

"In the 12 years I've worked on business issues with Tom Pico, I've always found him to be a good listener, to act fairly and to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community," Sweeney said. "Because of him, we were able to renegotiate our agreement with the city in developing Hacienda so that we could continue with the project. We couldn't have done it without his leadership."

Capilla said that there's no doubt that a Democrat will be chosen to represent the 20th District in the next election, "and we want Tom Pico to win that race."

"He's a CPA (certified public accountant) who understands the financial concerns small businesses are facing," he added. "Small businesses are being squeezed out by the high cost of liability insurance and workers compensation. These are driving the small guys out of business, curtailing apartment house and condominium developments, and forcing those who work and want to live here to go elsewhere because we can't afford to build housing they can afford."

"The Legislature is heavily influenced by the trial lawyers, and we need to get relief," he said. "Pico has done some very good work on city projects, he understands the issues and he would help to turn things around in the Legislature. He's saying the right things and business needs to help him win."

Others who have announced their endorsement of Pico include State Sen. Tom Torlakson (D., 7th), Scott Walsh, Fire Captain and Vice President of the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Fighters Local 1974, the mayors of Hayward, Dublin and Livermore and the entire Pleasanton City Council.

His opponents in the race are Milpitas Mayor Henry Manayan and Newark City Councilman Alberto Torrico. As of the June 30 reporting date, Manayan had raised $77,519 compared to Pico's $77,123. Dutra has endorsed his "good friend" Torrico for the post he is vacating.

Information on the Pico campaign is available at www.picoforassembly.com.