Chamber announces endorsements Chamber announces endorsements (September 20, 2002)

Business group backs five candidates for three seats Business group backs five candidates for three seats (September 20, 2002)

By Bill D'Agostino

For the three open full-term seats in the city council race, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce has decided to endorse five candidates.

They have also decided not to endorse either of the two candidates (Nick Galiotto and Bruce Karney) in the race for a two-year council seat. "We were looking for candidates that would represent the business community well and understand the business community's issues," said Carol Olson, the chamber's president and CEO. "We didn't find that there."

The five candidates endorsed by the chamber's board of directors are: Vice Mayor Mike Kasperzak; Matt Neely, an assistant principal at Mountain View High School; golf promoter Rosiland Bivings; building contractor Tom Frankum; and former mayor Pat Figueroa. "All five candidates would represent the business community well," Olson said.

There are 11 candidates in the race for the three four-year seats. Election day is Nov. 5.

This is the first year the chamber, which represents approximately 650 members in the city, has endorsed candidates in a council election.

The board was looking for candidates interested in housing, and the city's permitting process as well as ones with an open mind and an understanding of business issues, Olson said.
E-mail Bill D'Agostino at bdagostino@mv-voice.com