The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) is excited to announce its endorsements for the November general election. These endorsements reflect the Chamber’s commitment to provide leadership and advocacy for the local business community. As a service to its members, the local business community and the public at large, the BACC conducted a thorough assessment of each candidate from a business point of view that included both a written questionnaire and follow-up interviews if required. Endorsements by the BACC must be by a 2/3 approval of the voting Directors. These endorsements were made in accordance with the BACC’s Endorsement Policy and looked for a positive track record in four key areas to evaluate each candidate. Those criteria were: • Electability; • Leadership; • Support of the BACC and our local business issues; • Chamber and Community Involvement. All candidates, through the review, were divided into one of four categories. Those categories are: 1. Endorsed: Candidate satisfies all the preferred candidate criteria set forth in this policy and in addition, shares a strong fundamental understanding of our key business issues and concerns. 2. Qualified: Candidate meets the minimum criteria set forth in this policy, but is lacking the necessary exposure and experience to fundamentally understand our key business issues. 3. Not Endorsed: Candidate does not satisfy enough of the criteria to earn an endorsement. 4. Invited But Did Not Respond: Candidate chose not to participate in our process. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce submits the following recommendations to you for the 2014 General Election. Coos County Commissioner Position 2 – John Sweet—Endorsed; Don Gurney—Invited But Did Not Respond. State Representative District 9 – Caddy McKeown—Endorsed; Casey Runyan—Not Endorsed; Guy Rosinbaum—Invited But Did Not Respond. Any questions or requests for further information should be directed to Timm Slater, Executive Director for the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce at 541-266-0868. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, professional business organization made up of the Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston communities. The Chamber works for a healthy economic climate of good jobs, more customers and efficient government. The Chamber’s strength lies in the number and diversity of its membership. With over 600 members strong representing every aspect of this area’s economy, we use their vast collective experiences and energy to make a positive difference in our community.
