PAC your bags

With the local election season looming and three Chico City Council seats on the line, a new political action committee has staked a claim as a power with which to be reckoned, saying it will support business interests over the “vocal minority” that opposes “[p]roper urban planning, public services, business growth and economic prosperity.”

The Hooker Oak Alliance issued a three-page press release a week ago, with quotes from spokesman Ken Lange, dentist, former chair of the Chico Chamber of Commerce and the Chico Economic Planning Corporation [CEPCO], and husband to former City Councilmember Sheryl Lang.

HOA’s release suggests that the city’s business interests are not being effectively served by either CEPCO or the Chamber and the new Political Action Committee (PAC) will fill that void.

“While Chamber[s] of Commerce, CEPCO and other respected business related entities strive to serve as a voice of reason, it has become crystal clear that businesses and everyday citizens need a more consistent, reasoned and stronger voice in the political affairs and direction of our community.”

Chamber President Jim Goodwin said the chamber takes no offense to the alliances’ call for stronger business representation.

“Ken speaks for himself and I don’t think he was trying to take a shot at either organization,” Goodwin said.

The new PAC will simply add to the resources available to the business community, the chamber president added.

“I heard they exist, but I am not formally aware of what they are doing,” Goodwin said.

For the past two years, a progressive majority has held sway on the council, making policy that sometimes does not square with the wishes of some in the local business community.

The press release said the PAC will refrain from running negative campaigns but “will aggressively campaign against policies and positions considered detrimental to our constituents and our community.”

Besides business, the new PAC also claims an interest in protecting agricultural lands and the environment.

“We believe that responsible planning and development, business and economic growth are absolutely integral to the long term protection of prime agricultural lands and preservation of Chico’s air quality, creeks, waterways and significant natural resources,” press release reads.

This fall Mayor Scott Gruendl, and Councilmembers Dan Herbert and Maureen Kirk are up for reelection. Kirk has declared her candidacy for Butte County Supervisor and said this week that she was told the PAC was not involving itself in that race. Kirk, a dental hygienist, said she works in the same building as Lange, but has not had a chance to speak with him about the new PAC.

Gruendl, who recently unveiled plans for a city-backed venture capital project, said based on what he’d heard, he and the new PAC have some common interests. He did not want to speculate on whether or not he will get the PAC’s endorsement.

The PAC’s Web site HookerOakAlliance.com lists among its members real estate developer Bill Brouhard, Frank Solinisky, owner of Payless Building Supply, builder Howard Slater, former Planning Commissioner Glenn Fry, builder Jim Stevens and disc-golf enthusiast Lon Glazner.

Last weekend the PAC sent a mailer to a selected audience—apparently to those with city-issued business licenses. The mailer says, “Chico Business Owner—Local politics driving you nuts?” On the inside is a photo of a man and women wearing business suits and tape over their mouths.

“So why aren’t they [the City Council] listening?” The mailer asks. “Simple. We are too quiet.”

Expect that silence to end within the next few months as council candidates announce their intentions and PACs like HOA anoint their contenders.