By Robert Haugh
The Silicon Valley Central (Santa Clara) Chamber of Commerce wants to hold a “nonpartisan” forum for Measure A and B – the measures that the 49er Five put on the ballot.
They would take away the rights of Santa Clarans to elect the City Clerk and the Police Chief.
But questions have been raised about the Chamber’s leadership.
Chamber CEO Harbir Bhatia is close to the 49er Five and is considered to be a supporter of the Yes on A and B campaigns.
Before being hired by the Chamber, she lost a City Council race even though 49ers CEO Jed York spent millions of dollars to back her and other pro-49er candidates.
During that campaign, she was involved in a few controversies.
Bhatia was asked yesterday via email if she supported the measures and if she would be appearing in any campaign materials.
She answered the second question:
“No, I am not appearing on any materials or websites in support of the measure. Nor do I plan to.”
Bhatia did not answer the first question, even after a follow-up email asked her again to do so.
But here’s a photo of a lawn sign in front of her home supporting Yes on Measure A and B.
The Chamber has steered clear of local politics since 2019. That’s when the Chamber told its political committee (PAC) to go packing.
The PAC misspent money and didn’t file reports. They were also threatened with an investigation and a big fine.
They had a disastrous political record.
At the time, the Chamber PAC was run by the following individuals:
- Miles Barber — Santa Clara Weekly Lobbyist/Publisher
- Rahul Chandhok — 49ers Exec (the person who indicted City Councilmember Anthony Becker leaked the Grand Jury Report to in 2022)
- Dave DeLozier — former Councilman
- John Mlnarik — attorney (suspended) for disgraced former City Councilman Dominic Caserta
- Andy Ratermann — SCUSD board member
Miss Nancy…
Thank you!
Another example of Suds/Park/Hardy/Chahal HATRED for Santa Clara…
Those Councilpersons are dirty…. and wish to their own ill-gotten gain wipe us Santa Clarans who have always worked hart from the orchard to a semiconductor chip.
“The City of San Leandro announced the APPOINTMENT of Angela Averiett ….”
https://www.sanleandro.org/DocumentCenter/View/10072/Interim-Police-Chief-Named-in-San-Leandro-Former-Chief-Departs?bidId=
No on A (City Clerk)
No on B (Police Chief)
I’m shocked that the 49ers would think that using this “Train Wreck” as a spokesperson would be a good / smart move.
Desperate is a harsh term, but this group has now spent almost almost $600,000 of our City’s money to get these two item on the ballot.
Total waste of money.
Total waste of money, think International Swim Center….
Also, no way Harbir Bahtia was the 49ers first choice. Just wonder how far down their list they had to go, and at what price to get her to be their spokesperson.
So just remember whatever the 49ers think is good for our City, vote the other way.
In real simple terms, if the 49ers want you to turn left, turn right. They want you to stand up, sit.
Life is now that simple.
Please
VOTE NO ON A
VOTE NO ON B
Only way we get our City back is one vote, and one election at a time.
Burt Field
Burt.field@gmail.com
408.687.2622 cell (text first)
https://www.ktvu.com/news/san-leandro-police-chief-leaves-department-under-cloud-after-investigation
Wow
“They would take away the rights of Santa Clarans to elect the City Clerk and the Police Chief.”
This is one way to phrase the issue. Another way to phrase the issue is that ending or changing the current system is necessary to give Santa Clarans the right to be able to have the best possible candidates run for the job.
Cities that do not determine their police chief through election are able to hire from a statewide or even nationwide pool of candidates. Chief Nikolai is one of the five highest paid police chiefs in the state but when it comes time to replace him we will not be able to choose from candidates across the state or even county.
Candidates for our police chief position only have to compete with a maximum pool of candidates that is a tiny number of sworn law enforcement officers who live in Santa Clara.
I am concerned about potential influence over the SCPD by the Forty Niners when it comes to stadium public safety expense accounting.
I am also concerned about Santa Clara having the best possible police chief. If we are going to pay our chief higher than almost all cities in the state I would like for us to be able to pick the best candidate available across the state at least. I do not want our city manager or city attorney or head of Silicon Valley Power or fire department chief to be determined through elections either.
Buchser Alum.
Does City Dictator JOVAN GROGAN LIVE and RESIDE in Santa Clara?!?!? City Dictator MUST live in the City if we ask police officers to do so.
You advocate to strip my FAMILY’S rights to select our leaders because “I do not want our city manager or city attorney or head of Silicon Valley Power or fire department chief to be determined through elections either.”
My candid view: one posits that statement out of submission, ignorance, or evil. Any of which is despicable.
Most Santa Clarans wish not to be slaves or live under the jack boot thuggery you seem to be comfortable with.
Mercenary Jovan EXTRACTED $$$ from citizens of Berkley, Concord, and San Bruno. And now we are the latest victim until he moves on. Like a Vulture who feasts on carrion until gone.
Why do we put up with opportunistic scavengers like Grogan and Googin?????!?!?
https://openpayrolls.com/search/jovan-grogan
G’luck Anti-Santa Claran Buchser Alum. We all choose our paths.
Silence Dogood,
When you throw around words like dictator and despicable and thuggery to describe a way of determining the police chief in every other city and town in the entire state of California you do not sound serious or sane or sober.
You should consider not talking about this issue this way. I share some concerns that people who are very No on Measure A and B and I think that these concerns need to be thought about and discussed.
The way you are talking about these issues does not serve the No side well at all.
Buchser Alum.
Thank you for your response. As always, I look forward to constructive criticism.
Apologies if the point of fact was not clear.
Those who wish to strip my rights to vote…. RELY on an argument that there is “a tiny number of sworn law enforcement officers who live in Santa Clara” from which to elect a police officer.
Yet, a City Manager living in ATHERTON, WILLOW GLEN, WOODSIDE, or some other non-Santa Clara city ought to have the POWER to “DICTATE” a cop has to live in Santa Clara? Let’s fix that rather than using that as some excuse to HAVE to appoint a cop. Please tell me that Jovan lives in Santa Clara and I will withdraw the term “dictator.”
You say: “When you throw around words like dictator and despicable and thuggery to describe a way of determining the police chief in every other city and town in the entire state of California you do not sound serious or sane or sober.”
OK. Analyzing that language: “determining the police chief in every other city and town in the entire state of California” by STRIPPING voting rights sounds “serious or sane or sober.”
That makes my point.
Passivity in language and factual argument fails to address the common good.
“Tolerance in the face of tyranny is no virtue. Extremism in the defense of Santa Clara is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
Ah yes, another Tara and Yes on A&B together.
Seems this is a common thread after Suds
threw Patrick Ahrens under the bus and did
a dual of endorsement of Tara because she
agreed to support Yes on A&B.
Not cool.
Vote No on A and B. Vote FOR Patrick Ahrens!
He didn’t make any deals to try and win!
Ms. Scammer
Ms. Bhatia was a top executive of the former Silicon Sage. The company who scam and embezzled millions from investors. No need to to say anything else. No on B, don’t be fooled to give up your right to vote.
Another person to avoid
besides the scammer?
Mary Grizzle.
A bully in sheep’s clothing.
Talks out of both sides of her
mouth.
The chamber getting involved with a bumbling PAC? Smells of eau de javu.
Well, amazing that the Yes on B people have to do something.
When B is defeated, someone should present a bill to Suds Jain.
No on B fundraising and spending is impressive but moderate. Consultants are local.
An Ethics Commission would have clamped down on any major independent activity.
Gillmor over 30 years. 4 yes 0 no for ethics commission
Park votes no. 5 fppc complaints
And who is paying for this desperate attempt to convince people that they should give up their right to vote for their police chief and city clerk?
Vote NO on A and B!