CALIFORNIA SITE FIGHT: ATASCADERO CHAMBER CLEARED OF WRONGDOING IN BOGUS WAL-MART SURVEY
Atascadero chamber is cleared in Wal-Mart survey [San Luis Obispo Tribune (Calif.)]
The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce did not violate the state’s Political Reform Act as alleged by anti-Wal-Mart activist Tom Comar and the Yes on Measure D-08 Committee, according to the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Comar filed the complaint in mid-September, alleging that the chamber violated its nonprofit status by paying for a survey of local business owners asking whether they want a Wal-Mart Supercenter in town.
Comar also alleged that the chamber erred in advocating for residents to vote against Measure D-08, the so-called Atascadero Shield Initiative, which will be on the ballot in November.
In a response letter issued Monday, FPPC Executive Director Roman Porter said the commission did not find a violation of the act and the file on Comar’s complaint was closed.
Measure D-08 would prohibit commercial buildings in excess of 150,000 square feet, now allowed under the city’s General Plan, and bar any store in excess of 90,000 square feet from having more than 5 percent of its gross floor area dedicated to nontaxable goods such as groceries.
The complaint’s dismissal comes as heated exchanges regarding the measure are filling the council chamber and five City Council candidates debate its merits.
“I am ecstatic,” said Joanne Main, the chamber’s executive director. “It just reaffirms that the chamber has acted on behalf of its membership in doing the job we are organized to do, which is (to) support the business community (and) the interests related to them.”
Comar said Wednesday he was still waiting for further clarification from the FPPC on the dismissal of the complaint, but that it did not deter from his campaign in support of Measure D-08.
“I’m not clear on what parts of the complaint they investigated,” said Comar, who also filed a complaint with the county grand jury. “We had a legitimate right to complain, and we exercised that right. If it was found wrong, then it was found wrong.”
Posted by Luke West on Thursday, October 02, 2008
