ChamberPAC Sparks Heated Online Debate

The purpose of this story was to snapshot an online discussion that dealt with the Davis Chamber of Commerce as it relates to the Chamber’s Political Action Committee.

In assembling the story, I quoted many pieces of conversation from a DavisWiki “Talk” page. Talk Pages, according to the Wiki, are created in order to allow the wiki community to work through issues regarding the content of the parent page, which in this case was the ChamberPAC page.

While the content of the Talk page is public, it is often deleted after a resolution has been reached, so it is not meant to be permanent. The more appropriately quoted content resides on the actual Wiki page, which is why I've removed all of the Wiki quotes besides one relevant piece from Chamber of Commerce Director Kemble Pope, because of his direct association with the PAC. 

As for the ChamberPAC Wiki Page

The thrust of the Wiki debate had to do with whether the Chamber of Commerce itself had become a “politicized entity,” with some suggesting that it should share a Wiki page with the ChamberPAC.

Pope responded with the following. (This is just one snippet that is relevant to the Chamber's relation to the PAC):

“The 2012 actions of the Davis ChamberPAC are the most transparent election efforts that this community has ever seen. It operates absolutely and completely within the spirit and letter of state and local law.”

You can view the ChamberPAC page here. And the Chamber of Commerce page here. 

This topic has also been covered heavily this week in the Davis Vanguard. 

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