Op/Ed: Why I declined endorsement from Nevada based Chamber

First let me say that I respect my opponent in this race and consider him a friend. I also respect the other candidates for the other offices who were endorsed by the Nevada based Chamber. I and other candidates declined to participate. Here are my reasons.

I was stunned by their demand for my social security # and birthdate. I was told that only B. Gorman the Nevada Based Chamber CEO, would investigate our finances and give a personal thumbs up or down to a committee of four or five people who would decide for the entire general membership who the they would endorse. FPPC (Form 700) is available to the public and doesn’t expose us to possible identity theft. B. Gorman is not bonded or qualified to examine people’s personal finances. I was aware of public statements that the political PAC they had devised was looking for candidates to select and support. Were decisions already made prior to having candidates go through the process?

I wasn’t comfortable with the written questions asking about my loyalty to their documents and programs . As a citizen of the City, I was genuinely concerned that the Council gave the Nevada based Chamber $ 290,000 this year for a business counseling program. It seems like a huge conflict of interest. That’s probably why some Council candidates also refused to participate.

I was also concerned by what appeared to be a blurring of roles between the Chamber and the PAC that by federal election law is required to be independent. The process simply did not measure up to basic standards of transparency, except that their scheme was as clear as could be. Of course, I would like to be elected, I‘ve proven that I can do a good job for the public. But, my vote is not for sale.

Duane Wallace, Candidate for STPUD
(530) 545-3563 duane_wallace@hotmail.com