Firm Donated More Than $12,000 in 2005
BY Brian Donahue
A Massachusetts Real Estate Investment Trust has funneled thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee (EMPAC), which then forwards the money to developer-backed candidates for public office in Emeryville, The Secret News has learned.
A public records request revealed that Newton, Mass.-based REIT Management & Research LLC gave at least $12,500 to EMPAC in 2005. The funds were then distributed to candidates backed by the Chamber of Commerce. Contribution records from the current quarter are not yet available for public viewing.
EMPAC treasurer and Emeryville resident Liz Altieri deposited the check for $12,500 into an EMPAC account from the Massachusetts LLC, but made no inquiry as to the nature of the corporation’s interest in Emeryville politics.
“I don’t recall.†Altieri said, adding, “I don’t know who they are.†She said she is unclear why a Massachusetts REIT would want to influence Emeryville elections.
Council Member John Fricke, when asked about the donation, said, “The donor probably has real estate dealings in Emeryville.†He criticized the clandestine nature of EMPAC funding in general, adding, “it’s obvious EMPAC is being used to make it look like contributions to their favored candidates are locally generated. It’s out-of-town, and even out-of-state developers seeking to hide their contributionsâ€.
In the past, developers simply gave money directly to certain candidates. However the Emeryville Chamber Political Action Committee was formed to coordinate campaign activities and fundraising, and build an organization with influence over Emeryville’s elections.
Many developers still donate directly to candidates, but in recent years EMPAC’s role has grown greatly. EMPAC has also been involved in citywide referendums, including funding efforts to defeat Measure C, the 2005 ordinance that granted a “living wage” to Emeryville hotel workers.
In the last election two years ago, EMPAC provided a significant amount of funds to help re-elect council members Ken Bukowski, Ruth Atkin, and Nora Davis. The group also funded efforts to demonize challenger Shilen Patel with last-minute, negative campaign literature.
All this makes perfect sense to me. We all know developers call the shots in Emeryville. What's surprising is not that a mystery out-of-state real estate investment trust gave $12,500 to elect candidates of their choice. What's surprising is that they feel that they only have to give $12,500 to get the job done. This is such a bargain for a typical development the likes of which we get in Emeryville. This shows how compliant the Council is to developers.
I hated that Shilen Patel faced so much negativity in his campaign from the Chamber/EMPAC about allegedly being beholden to outsiders…and now this news?!
Liz Altieri recalls nothing about it? Yeah, right, Liz.
What do you suppose this corporation got for their $12,500? Was there a quid pro quo?
So developers give money to EMPAC to elect friendly candidates and EMPAC then doles out money to the developer friendly candidate's campaigns. Why don't the developers simply just give directly to their favored candidates like they did before EMPAC? It's pretty obvious the goal is to make it more palatable for Emeryville residents by making it seem less like the developers control the town. I've noticed that when the pro-developer candidates are asked how much money they receive from developers, they don't count EMPAC money…pretty sly.
This kind of BS exists in big city politics but must we put up with it here in our little town of Emeryville?
And now, our gracious council is going to give us a lesson in why the Redevelopment Agency (the unknown government) is so good for us for a mere $25,000 up front of our monies. Because we, as mere citizens, don't understand about the RA's. Well, some of us do, and a large part of the problem has to do with developers. When you start to put the pieces together, you can see clearly why the developers secrete money into the pockets of favored candidates any way they can. If you want a community for the citizens of Emeryville, you are going to have to work hard to get it. The power differential is already there.
Talk about news cycle! Boy this story is getting lost having the unfortunate position right before the Bukowski blockbuster. Too bad since corporate election funding is really important. The voters need to know how they're being manipulated.
These are the kind of stories the Secret News should be working on, not Bukowski drug sensationalism. Stories like this EMPAC story is what REALLY effects the average Emeryville resident. It's illuminating to see who really calls the shots in town. There's the real venality, not Bukowski shooting meth.
Maybe so….but City Councilman Bukowski shoots meth?!?! I don't care what you say…that's a story. Good work Secret News, keep the sensationalism coming.
It's amazing to see how little Emeryville mirrors so faithfully, the nation as a whole. This Chamber of Commerce EMPAC story is analogous to the Republican National Committee and it's GOPAC; It's controlled by the same ideology.
Good job shining a light there.