The group supporting Measure N in Grass Valley (the initiative to raise sales taxes) has a new campaign postcard landing at mail boxes in town: “Keep your tax in your community,” it reads.
It is signed by Jan Arbuckle, Lisa Swarthout, Yolanda Cookson, Gerard Tassone, Chauncey Poston, Howard Levine, and the Grass Valley/Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, among others.
Cool enough.
Trouble is, the direct mailer has a postage stamp from, well, Tampa, Florida. (See mailer below)
That doesn’t sound local to me.
Here’s a thought: 49er Direct Marketing in Grass Valley is a competitive direct mail outfit — and it’s local. The group just had a Chamber ribbon cutting in May, according to the Chamber website.
Arrgh!
(Click for larger image).
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Andrea at 49er provides great service and competitive prices. Steve Reynolds(A GV Chamber ambassador) at Auburn Printers is another good choice for printing and mailing. Who made the lame decision to use a Florida mail house?
Sounds like another classic example of Grass Valley “old guard” group think.
OOPS! I support Mark’s question but I hope a big deal isn’t made of it. I’m sure organizers will be more mindful in the future. Please note the word “more.”
I like your attitude and tone Wanda. We are first timers at doing this and yes we will be more mindful in the future. This has been a real learning process and experience. Appreciate the input.
A YES ON MEASURE N is a wise choice in terms of public safety and street maintenance. Minor cost to a family for more proactive police work, safe and good equipment, firefighters increased and streets improved. Without Measure N passing it won’t happen. Supporting MEASURE N is a sign you care about your City and want the best for our community.
I’d like hear from the electeds, public officials and chamber leaders – all of whom singed the mailer and are experienced at local campaigning. This measure is based on being accountable. And it is based on showing sound management, oversight and judgment.
I would want to know if the printing and mailing costs are paid for locally or is the National Chamber of Commerce or any out of area organization pitching in as well.
No out of area money has been contributed to the Committee for Yes on Measure N. National Chamber of Commerce has not been a contributor.
Wow, sorry but it is a big deal! They are asking that you care about your city but you could argue that this action is a sign that they don’t care. It is such a basic concept to keep purchases like this local.
Steve:
Agreed. Boy, what a bonehead choice for the committee to make.
And it’s too late to try to spin what they did –– the toothpaste is out of the tube and they can’t get it back in no matter how hard they might try.
Guess “Shop Local” is a hollow, meaningless phrase for some folks?
FPPC Form 460 details all contributions and expenditures for all local campaigns. The current period covering October 1 – 20 must be filed by 5pm by this Thursday(Oct 25) with GV city clerk. All expenses(paid or not) associated with the mailer should be on the 460 form(s) filed this week.
Mark,
Thanks for this information. I am going to follow up on the NC Measure L campaign expenditures. I wonder where the “Yes on Measure L” signs were printed?
Steve:
Speaking of Measure L, I remain confused. Minutes of the city council’s October 10 meeting show that under New Business, staff noted re: Measure L: “funds to be placed in a special revenue account,” and the special account will “operate like Measure S with thorough tracking and reporting.”
Has anyone explained to you –– and other voters in Nevada City –– how a tax designed for a special revenue account with specific uses can be considered a general tax needing only 50% +1 vote, rather than a 2/3 vote needed to pass special taxes like Measure S?
It seems to me that equating the accounting and operation of Measure L to the accounting and operation of Measure S puts the city in a vulnerable legal position should the measure actually pass. Maybe a legal explanation has been offered the public that isn’t reflected in the minutes or in media reports?
I love to get my irony out of the way first thing in the morning!
Somebody obviously got some buddy a deal.
Same sort of thing at the national level, under Bush. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/21/4925146/how-extra-virgin-is-your-olive.html?storylink=lingospot_related_articles
Steve C. – You are not the only one scratching your head. The special vs general tax issue has been brought up a few times and has not been addressed to my knowledge. The best explaination I can come up with is that the Elections Office bought the general tax idea based on the legal opinion written by the City Attorney which is pretty generic with specific details left out.
Maybe there is justification for a legal challange if it passes.
All one has to do it look at the Town of Mammoth Lakes to see what can happen to general taxes in extraordinary circumstances. They have two general taxes that were passed for parks and trails and roads respectively that may now be used to pay a judgement for violating the terms of a development agreement…..although I think everyone agrees, pretty extraordinary circumstances.