Chamber forms political action committee Chamber forms political action committee (May 14, 2004)

BACPAC will fund, back pro-business candidates
by Jeb Bing

The Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce has launched a political action committee that will provide funding support for local candidates and issues that favor business.

In a new program called "Vision Pleasanton," the chamber has targeted eight categories of concern: education, health and human services, public safety, recreation and open space, arts and culture, the local economy, housing and transportation.

"'Vision Pleasanton' is designed to create awareness and interest in the benefits that business brings to the community now and in the future," said David Bouchard, the chamber's chief executive. "Our goal is to involve residents, and business and community leaders in planning for a sustainable community."

Although the chamber's board of directors has voted to take positions on ballot box issues affecting the city, it has generally refrained from directly supporting City Council and school board candidates. That will change with its new Business and Community Political Action Committee (BACPAC), Bouchard explained.

"The newly formed BACPAC will have an 11-member board of directors, comprised of community volunteers who are members of the chamber," Bouchard said. "It will endorse and support candidates and positions on community issues that best represent the principles of 'Vision Pleasanton.'"

Former chamber chairman Eric "Otis" Nostrand, who owns the Hopyard Alehouse & Grill, will chair the new BACPAC.

"BACPAC will collect and distribute money to candidates and issues that support it," Nostrand said. "The chamber, by law, can't do that, but BACPAC can."

Serving with Nostrand on the BACPAC committee will be Bouchard as board secretary, and Jeff Antrim, president of Antrim Engineering; Bob Butler, Butler Mortgage; Steve Clarkson, the current chamber chairman and president of Heritage Investment Management; Gail Gilpin, former Economic Development Manager for the city of Pleasanton; Attorney Marty Inderbitzen; former school superintendent Bill James; Richard Karn, a civil engineer; the Rev. Garry Senna, pastor of Harvest Valley Christian Church; Tony Rivera, owner of East Bay Hot Spring Spas; and John Sensiba, a CPA and partner with Ireland, San Filippo, LLP.

On the issues, Bouchard said those that chamber members consider essential to the economic health of the community were chosen for special attention.

"Strong schools are essential to a vibrant community which, in turn, is essential to a strong business environment and a high quality of life for all residents," Bouchard said in defining the chamber's education target. "Similarly with housing, Pleasanton's quality of life depends on policies and activities that ensure our children, seniors and essential workers will be able to live and work in the community and participate in community activities."

"Issue experts" named by the chamber as contributors to "Vision Pleasanton" include city, civic, business and education leaders. Among them are John Casey, school superintendent, Fire Chief Stewart Gary, Police Chief Tim Neal, City Manager Deborah McKeehan and Parks & Community Services Director Jim Wolfe. Also named to the panel were Becky Dennis, former City Councilwoman; Karen Halliday, president of Las Positas College; Chris Kinzel Sr., president of TJKM Transportation Consultants; James Pease, an accountant with W. H. Mayer Accountancy; and Christine Steiner, a former Pleasanton housing commissioner.

Chamber leaders will staff a booth tomorrow at the Bernal Block Party to describe their new program and distribute literature. Information also can be found on the chamber's Web site: www.pleasanton.org.

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