First of two parts
Even if 75 percent of Culver City’s registered voters are Democrats, the view still is new enough when you drive past the Chamber of Commerce.
You do not have to look closely to notice a prominent sign promoting the state Senate candidacy of Curren Price, the favorite in a runoff election on May 19.
During his first term-plus in the state Assembly, Mr. Price (D-Inglewood) has been one of the most liberal members of the state Legislature.
Isn’t the Chamber of Commerce, even in Culver City, supposed to be conservative?
Wasn’t it just six months ago that this same Chamber body also chose to endorse Mark Ridley-Thomas, decidedly the more liberal of the two contenders last November for a vacant seat on the County Board of Supervisors?
Neither move should be a surprise, says Chamber CEO Steve Rose, while acknowledging the makeup was not always what it has become today.
“Some people characterize a chamber of commerce as a monolithic organization of businesses,” Mr. Rose said.
“That would be wrong. This Chamber is the only group that represents a broad spectrum of businesses. Businesses are people — so that is where the broadness of the spectrum comes in.
“In the last 10 years, the Chamber has evolved from not being involved in business-related legislative issues to becoming much more involved.”
Because the membership of the Chamber has changed?
“That is part of the explanation,” Mr. Rose said. “But there at least two other reasons. The political preferences of some people have evolved, and irresponsible legislative bodies have voted us into the financial mess we are in.”
An attitudinal change swept through the Culver City Chamber exactly a decade ago.
“In late ’99, early 2000,” Mr. Rose said, “talk increased about getting involved with business advocacy (through legislation). Business goes deeper than being a Democrat or a Republican.
“Big business legislation might be good for big business. But it might be perceived as bad for small businesses.
“We at the Culver City Chamber do not go in lockstep with the United States Chamber or the California Chamber when it comes to endorsing certain legislation or candidates.
“The Chamber, contrary to what some people might think, does not always vote against taxes.
“We were very much against Prop. D a few years ago, which would have lowered the utility users’ tax. We believe taxation at a certain level is needed to give us the quality of service that Culver City needs. Business is willing to pay its fair share.”
In view of what appears to be an upheaval in thinking, is it wrong to perceive the Chamber of Commerce as conservative?
“Depends on your definition of a conservative-oriented organization,” Mr. Rose said. “If the question means, do we follow the rules and laws of our city, state and nation, the answer is yes.
“Otherwise, you can judge. The Chamber went green before green was cool. We gave up our printed newsletter five years ago. We gave up our printed Board agendas about that time, too. Currently, the only thing we are doing by mail is our annual billing and election ballots. But we are looking at turning those electronic, too. “
What is the political preference breakdown of the Board of Directors? How many would identify as conservative?
“Of the 30 members, I would say five or six are generally right-of-center,” Mr. Rose said. “There might be one or two liberal/progressive types, and the others consistently vote in the middle.
“Twenty-two years ago when I joined the Chamber, it was probably 85 percent male, and the thinking, in business and politically, was much more traditional, meaning well right of center.
“A number of Board members event quit when we integrated — meaning when we allowed women in.”
(To be continued)
