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Berkeley mayor, chamber on good terms
Contra Costa Times ^
| March 19, 2008
| By Doug Oakley
Posted on 03/22/2008 10:57:11 PM PDT by Syncro
Berkeley mayor, chamber on good terms
By Doug Oakley
STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 03/19/2008 03:00:38 AM PDT
The love is back between Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates and the city's Chamber of Commerce.
Just a month after the chamber released a letter saying that Bates and the City Council hurt business by telling the Marine Corps and its recruiting center to get out of town, the mayor is back in the group's good graces.
During a lunch Tuesday billed as "A Conversation with Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates," chamber board member Mark McLeod introduced Bates as "our mayor and our friend."
Afterward, chamber CEO Ted Garrett said relations between its 425 members and Bates are better than ever.
"We approach the (Marines) issue from different aspects, but at the end of the day, we all want what's good for Berkeley," Garrett said. "I think this has strengthened the relationship with the mayor. We were disappointed (about actions against the Marines); however, it is fostering an understanding between the City Council and the business community."
Garrett played it down the middle in regards to whether the chamber will get behind the mayor if he decides to run for a third term in November.
"I would classify the mayor as a friend, but we can't make any political statements at this time," Garrett said.
That's quite a contrast to the stern letter he released in February that said in part: "We strongly urge the Berkeley City Council to offer a public apology to our community and the countless others who were offended by their actions. ... In the future we expect collaboration
with the mayor and City Council when considering actions which may impact our business and local community." At the same time Bates and the council were digging in their heels and telling the world the Marines should get out of Berkeley, the chamber was running a photograph on its Web site of Garrett at the recruiting center giving the Marines a box of doughnuts under the caption that read: "We believe in a community where ALL voices can be heard."
The council never apologized, but it also voted not to send the letter as previously planned, calling the Marines "unwelcome intruders."
In interviews since, Garrett has complained that protests at the Marine recruiting center on Shattuck Avenue have hurt business in the immediate area and national attention has caused people to cancel hotel reservations.
During his speech Tuesday, Bates talked about a number of good things happening in the business community. There is new business downtown on the way. And West Berkeley is getting a badly needed new supermarket called Berkeley Bowl. He also said that several new condo developments were approved along San Pablo Avenue.
Then he explained why he continues to think that the Marines should leave town.
"This city has protested wars and recruiting since I was in grammar school," he said. "People laid down on railroad tracks. In this war we have lost 4,000 of our people and 1 million Iraqis, and they estimate it's going to cost $3 trillion. Can you imagine if we had that to spend on education? What a waste."
Bates said he has apologized numerous times for offending those who serve in the armed forces, and he said the council's action calling the Marines "unwelcome intruders" was a mistake and unprofessional.
"But I am not prepared to apologize to the Marines for recruiting our kids," he said. "We said they have the right to be here, and people have the right to protest."
After Bates finished, there was only one question from the audience regarding the Marines issue: How much has it cost the city to control the protesters? Answer: about $100,000.
"And that's not a huge fiscal problem for us," Bates said.
Reach Doug Oakley at doakley@bayareanewsgroup.com.
TOPICS: Free Republic; Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: berkeley; chamberofcommerce; protests; supportthetroops
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I'm posting this because I talked today to the head of the Chamber of Commerce in Berkeley.
He was on the streets complaining about the Support The Troops Rally today, saying it was hurting Berkeley businesses.
I'm discussing this on another thread, and will post a link to the conversation there as soon as I finsh it.
1
posted on
03/22/2008 10:57:15 PM PDT
by
Syncro
To: Syncro; All
The petition
We, the undersigned condemn the Berkeley City Councils treasonous attack on US Marine Recruiters stationed in their city. We ask that Congress cut off funds from any and all municipal entity within the confines of the city of Berkeley, California, until such time as the city council withdraws its action.
The City Council has voted to tell the Marines their downtown recruiting station is not welcome and if recruiters choose to stay, they do so as uninvited and unwelcome guests.
The measure passed last week by a vote of 8-1.
The council also voted to explore enforcing a city anti-discrimination law, focusing on the militarys dont ask, dont tell policy.
In a separate item, the council voted, also 8-1, to give the Marxist protest group Code Pink a parking space in front of the recruiting office once a week for six months and a free sound permit for protesting once a week.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cutoffberkeleynow
If you wish to, please share with your friends or e-mail to your address books. You DO NOT have to donate at the petition site, there will be a page asking for one for the site after you sign, just back out or exit. Your signature will already be on the petition.
2
posted on
03/22/2008 11:02:33 PM PDT
by
2ndDivisionVet
(http://www.fourfriedchickensandacoke.blogspot.com)
To: All
Here is what I posted on Another Thread:
This guy...
...is the head of the Chamber of Commerce of Berkeley.
I was standing across the street from the Marine Office and he started talking to me.
About how these kind of events are ruining the businesses in Berkeley.
And that they are very damaging to the city.
I asked him if he lived in Berkeley, and he said no.
It was then that he told me he was head of the C of C.
He kept pretty much saying the same thing over and over while I tried to tell him why we came today.
And told him it wasn't us, but the code pink, ANSWER, World Can't Wait and various other commie groups that have disrupted his (his?) little town.
When I tried to impress upon him that it was the antagonizers of the Marine Office that he needs to have stop their subersive actions, he would interrupt me every time.
He would not entertain the thought of stopping code pink, etc, but was very negative about a Positive Support Rally for the Marine Office.
He would have none of it, and would only focus on our very Positive Troop Support Rally that is and has been ruining business in Berkeley. A true slimy politician.
When I mentioned that the news is out that he and the Mayor have mended fences and are united in purpose, he said Oh, that's what the media says, not what is really true.
So I asked him (he had that camera pointed at him all this time) what is the truth then, and he waffled and said that he had talked to the leaders of the rally a little earlier and I could ask them.
I told him, why not tell me with this camera here so we can know the truth.
He didn't want to go on record with any statement at all.
I backed away, and he did start talking to the camerawoman and I watched for a minute of so, and then the speakers started so I left him with the lady with the camera.
Her is A Link to an article from the Contra Costa Times about the Chamber's meeting with the Mayor.
3
posted on
03/22/2008 11:12:29 PM PDT
by
Syncro
To: 2ndDivisionVet
Could you edit that a little for clarity?
When it says last week, it seems like it means it was last week
Thanks
How many do you have, and when are you going to present them to the council?
Or is that the plan?
4
posted on
03/22/2008 11:14:33 PM PDT
by
Syncro
To: Syncro
5
posted on
03/22/2008 11:19:56 PM PDT
by
KingNo155
To: Syncro
Oh, so now the war cost $ 3 trillion and we killed 1,000,000 Iraqis?
Why stop there? Why not $ 5 trillion and 2 million Iraqis?
And where we these bleeding hearts when Saddam Hussein was committing mass murder and filling trenches with hundreds of thousands of his own citizens?
Oh, that’s right. Only the US commits large scale murder of innocents.
Watch these statistics( $ 3 trillion and 1,000,000 Iraqis dead) get more and mre play until they become accepted fact.
Libs always like round numbers like 100,000 and 1,000,000 to describe anything they are poushing. They don’t have a clue and they know it is a lie, but it’s OK—the end justifies the means.
6
posted on
03/22/2008 11:23:03 PM PDT
by
exit82
(People get the government they deserve. And they are about to get it--in spades.)
To: Syncro
Here is the interesting thing...spring and summer are coming...and likely more protests. Each all-day episode on a weekend is costing the city $100,000 in police overtime. By October....the city council will meet to discuss a problem with the budget (yep, they will finally change the topics of the council meeting). Basically...they need to increase property taxes on the rich...and maybe another quarter cent on the sales tax. This will stir up folks and quickly make protests of any sort a very threatening topic. There isn’t a city this size in America...that can afford $500,000 a month on police overtime. If I were the mayor or council...I’d wake and realize the light at the end of this tunnel...and it won’t be a pretty situation to get out of.
To: Drango; All
Here is the website of the
Berkeley Chamber of CommerceTthis is the first thing you see.
The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce salutes our men and women in the armed forces.
If they "salute" the men and women in the armed forces, why was he complaining when a positive rally was held today in support of our men and women in the armed forces?
I notice it doesn't say they support them.
Also that it doesn't say that they support the right for the Marines to have an office in Berkeley.
Until and unless they come out and call for supporting the Marine Office in Berkeley they are going to keep going downhill.
He told me that already business are closing because of the protests on the street of the Marine Office.
If he doesn't want to get the City Council to stop supporting code pink and the other anti-American groups then he is linked with them in word and deed.
He and the Mayor are BFF's now, so they can reap their whirlwind.
8
posted on
03/22/2008 11:32:25 PM PDT
by
Syncro
To: KingNo155
Yea, that was all he said.
LOL
9
posted on
03/22/2008 11:34:13 PM PDT
by
Syncro
To: Syncro; Drango
"When I tried to impress upon him that it was the antagonizers of the Marine Office that he needs to have stop their subersive actions, he would interrupt me every time. He would not entertain the thought of stopping code pink, etc, but was very negative about a Positive Support Rally for the Marine Office. He would have none of it, and would only focus on our very Positive Troop Support Rally that is and has been ruining business in Berkeley. A true slimy politician." Mr. Garrett needs to drag is sorry "I'm the CEO of Berkeley CoC" down to greet Code Pink, WCW, ANSWER, etc. and complain to them about how THEY are ruining business in Berkeley. He's supposed to be the voice of local business and REPRESENT them to the City Council... he's a sorry excuse for a CEO in that respect.
He's apparently receiving complaints from business owners and doing absolutely nothing to represent them. The City Council certainly doesn't represent them either. The businesses best alternative is to form their own coalition and petition the Council to cut off support for anti-war radical groups (the cause of Police in Riot Gear), apoligize to the Marines, stop acting like a soverign nation apart from the United States writing their own foreign policy, start addressing the interests of the City of Berkeley.
I know accomplishing such a feat will be an uphill battle, and I wouldn't want my business ruined by a bunch of radical city officials, but thier only alternative is to lock their doors and turn off the lights on Berkeley.
10
posted on
03/22/2008 11:53:45 PM PDT
by
USMC Brat
(Set the example.)
To: Syncro
Because of war protesters about 1-3 million Vietnamese, and bout 5 million Cambodians were killed.
In fact socialism killed over 150 million people in the last century, which is more than wars or religion.
This fact should be put in these anti-American socialist face, like you put a dogs nose in its scat when it goes indoors.
11
posted on
03/23/2008 1:43:32 AM PDT
by
Exton1
To: 2ndDivisionVet
It makes no difference to me what the Berkeley City Council members say now. We know their mind set and they can kiss my you know what. Boycott Berkeley until the people replace the idiots they elected.
12
posted on
03/23/2008 5:01:21 AM PDT
by
chainsaw
( No black racist Muslims in the WH.)
To: USMC Brat
Look at the boards of most C of C’s; municipal officials are over-represented. This is because they can afford to do Chamber stuff while on the clock.
That’s probably why Garrett has dummied up.
13
posted on
03/23/2008 5:38:15 AM PDT
by
steve8714
(What hand does a Muslim amputee eat with?)
To: chainsaw
It makes no difference to me what the Berkeley City Council members say now Correct. This didn't just happen overnight. For too long the C of C didn't take out the trash. They let it pile up, added to it, encouraged it. Now the obvious result of trash...vermin, filth and pestilence has spread and they still refuse to deal with it. Instead they deflect and have the balls to suggest we are the root cause of their economic plight.
A note to the City Council...TAKE OUT THE TRASH
14
posted on
03/23/2008 7:26:26 AM PDT
by
Drango
(A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)
To: Drango; Syncro
They asked for it!
At this point there is
no redemption for Berkeley in my book. City Council elections are in November, the Mayor and 4 Council seats - wait and see what happens.
15
posted on
03/23/2008 9:20:20 AM PDT
by
USMC Brat
(Set the example.)
To: USMC Brat
16
posted on
03/23/2008 9:55:27 AM PDT
by
USMC Brat
(Set the example.)
To: Syncro; Drango
"Here is what I posted on Another Thread:" Where is the other thread? I'd like to read the replies there and maybe weigh in. I'm pretty furious over this issue to begin with. Adding insult to injury the Chamber has the nerve to complain to Patriots, during the most Patriotic Event to ever hit Berkeley, about businesses suffering from constant protests.
WTH!! These morons don't know the difference between a PROTEST/RIOT (Code Pink, et al) and a SUPPORT RALLY. Apparently neither does the media.
NO MERCY FOR BERKELEY
17
posted on
03/23/2008 12:17:08 PM PDT
by
USMC Brat
(Set the example.)
To: USMC Brat
I posted it
Here probably after you logged off.
Yea, the media and some people here even refer to it as a "protest."
Doug, the guy that organized it, made it quite clear that he wasn't calling it a protest for obvious reasons. The most prevelant one is because it wasn't protesting anything, it was supporting our Military. Thus a Support The Military and The Marine Recruiting Office rally
The media and their agenda, that's why they are losing their relevance
18
posted on
03/23/2008 12:59:41 PM PDT
by
Syncro
To: All
"We approach the (Marines) issue from different aspects, but at the end of the day, we all want what's good for Berkeley," Garrett said. "I think this has strengthened the relationship with the mayor. We were disappointed (about actions against the Marines); however, it is fostering an understanding between the City Council and the business community."
And it looks like what is "good" for the City is for the C of C to rescind their reprimand of the Council for their desire to boot the Marines from town.
Notice the "were disappointed." Which can only mean they aren't anymore.
That is what I told him without even being aware of his words, but just had learned what the outcome of the meeting was. He denied his own words when I gave them back to him on the street.
This guy when I talked to him yesterday, this article is close to what I told him, and he said the media reported it wrong.
Well, it seems he is perfectly happy to have "an understanding between the City Council and the business community."
I think he is referring to his org, the C of C as the business community.They just don't seem to get the fact that if they allow (and support) a group to harass one of their businesses, all of them will suffer.
19
posted on
03/23/2008 1:16:06 PM PDT
by
Syncro
To: Syncro
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2008-03-21/article/29517 Mayor Speaks Against War at Chamber Lunch
By Judith Scherr 2008-03-21
Flying in the face of his hosts concerns regarding demonstrations at the Marine Recruiting Center, Mayor Tom Bates spoke out about his opposition to the war in Iraq and support for peaceful demonstrations. The speech was delivered Tuesday at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon where the mayor was the featured speaker.
Bates also painted a rosy picture of the citys economy, with flourishing hotels and restaurants, lauded city efforts to build downtown (perhaps up to 18 stories), laid out plans to build green and more.
Toward the end of his talk, the mayor introduced the topic of ongoing Marine Recruiting Center demonstrations on a lighthearted note: Let me conclude with the topic of the day, he said, the battle of Code Pink vs. the United States Marine Corps. Thats not a fair fight!
Bates went on to say that beyond what people think of this Code Pink stuffa recent photo on the Chamber of Commerce website portrayed CEO Ted Garrett bringing donuts to a Marine recruiterthe war, whose fifth anniversary was the next day, had caused the deaths of some 4,000 U.S. military personnel and the injury of about 28,000 Americans. Some 1 million Iraqis have been killed and 4 million displaced, he said.
Trillions of dollars have been spent on the war. Can you imagine what that would mean if we had that for education? If we had that for housing? he asked. What a waste. We were lied to, to begin with.
Bates placed the current demonstrations in a historical context. First of all, this city has protested wars and recruiting stations since I was in grammar school. People lay on the railroad tracks. People tied themselves to the recruiting station door, he said.
Since 2003 there have been protests at recruiting stations all over the country. Its not like Berkeley is unique in this regard, said Bates, a former Army captain.
Bates said he does not support young people going into the military and noted that those who sign up have few options.
The mayor spoke to the Jan. 29 council item calling Marine recruiters unwelcome intruders, which sparked a nationwide, mostly right-wing, reaction.
The council was wrong to pass an item with inflammatory language that had not been properly vetted, he said. It passed and Im sorry. Ive apologized at every forum I can think of, but Im not prepared to apologize to the Marines who are recruiting our kids to go to this war.
He pointed out that Code Pink has been demonstrating in many venues other than Berkeley, including in front of Nancy Pelosis house and at Congress. At the same time there are counter-demonstrations by Move America Forward, billed as a grassroots organization, but which actually is a bunch of right-wing shock jocks, Bates said.
Move America Forward wants to move the U.N. out of the United States and build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border to keep immigrants out, he added. (Move America Forward is headed by talk-show host Melanie Morgan, recently laid off by KSFO.)
Bates said that there have been boycotts of Berkeley in the past and that the current one will pass as they have before.
We need to take the high road. We need to talk about what is great about this community, he said.
No one in the audience criticized Bates overtly, but during the question and answer session, when Bates addressed anonymous written questions, the issue was raised. One person asked about the high cost of overtime police for demonstrations, which Bates said he couldnt answer, and another made a statement asserting that middle-class youth sign up voluntarily for military service, countering Bates view that people without resources join the service.
After the luncheon, the Planet asked Chamber Executive Director Ted Garrett whether he was disappointed in Bates anti-war remarks, but Garrett said his primary concern was the protests harm to local business, especially the businesses adjacent to the Marine Recruiting Center.
He pointed to hotels and restaurants that received cancellations recently, but conceded that its hard to know whether that was because of a boycott or because of the economy. Responding to a question, Garrett said he had not asked other businesses near the recruiting center whether their receipts have increased because of the increased numbers of people flocking downtown for protests.
In response to another question, Garrett said it was too early to know whether the chamber would be making political endorsements and if so, whether it would endorse Bates, though Garrett said he works closely with the mayor to make sure the chamber voice is heard in the decision-making process.
20
posted on
03/23/2008 2:23:58 PM PDT
by
Drango
(A liberal's compassion is limited only by the size of someone else's wallet.)
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