An Open Letter on the BC Political Form by Travis Chandler
1a. Re: Board of Realtor's PAC Posted by Travis Chandler: travischandler@hotmail.com
Date: Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:00 am ((PDT))
I am not sure why Diane [ Hutchings ] is so anxious to put words in my mouth. But for clarification, please allow me to elaborate on what I wrote before.
During the same campaign, 2007, I spoke with Bob Draney at the Brew Pub one pleasant evening. He had supported financially Linda Strickland earlier in the campaign, and offered me support, too. I said that would be great, but then he later changed his mind, and never did make a contribution. Later yet he spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to get me kicked off Council and to load up Council with people who will oppose me.
One such candidate plainly campaigned that if elected he would oppose me on Council. Seemed to be his primary issue, his most important campaign promise. His promise was that if Roger and I disagree on an issue, he will do what Roger wants.
I have my own thoughts on why Bob Draney changed his mind, but my view as to his schemes and purposes are unnecessary to expound upon here.
I reiterate I have not accepted money from any organization of any kind. None have offered me any. Nor have I directly asked for donations, from anyone. That simply has been unnecessary.
What I want to make clear is that I will talk to anyone with a legitimate interest in BC government and who asks me for some of my time. I see it as part of the job as your representative. I have talked to many, many organizations, generally without the expectation or even hope of financial support. Most such organizations I have never met before, some I have never heard of before.
Councilman Travis Chandler The organizations are often seeking to endorse candidates who will support their views. They want to get to know them first. I respond to email and telephone inquiries too. Some organizations present me (and other candidates) with questionnaires. I try to answer them, most of the time.
My primary purpose is to understand their political views and interests in the City, and to get that information firsthand. All part of my open door policy. My understanding of people and organizations is invariably improved as a result. While it rarely changes my core beliefs and the positions that result, it can help me find common ground, if I am elected.
Endorsements they may make to their membership (voters), come in second in importance. They are actually of greater interest to me than the money. Campaign donations come in a distant third.
My views are not for sale. They arise from my long-held principles, to which I have given a great deal of thought over many years. Quite frankly, it's far, far easier for me to stick to my principles than to flip-flop around trying to please every special interest that comes along. If we find we are headed in the same direction, fine, I will travel with them. If not, well thanks for the chat.
The proof of my priorities and my adherence to my principles is in the results I have had. After many interviews with many organizations, be they unions or chambers of commerce, the Democratic club or the Republican Women, none have made an endorsement or given me any campaign money. None. Apparently we are marching in different directions. To all of them I say, maybe another time, another issue, but for now farewell and good luck.
My willingness to listen, just listen, to others is proven with other groups, for example the various committees and commissions of the City. I have attended many of their meetings, more so than any other current Council member. For both the Finance Advisory Committee and the Charter Commission, I have a complete set of cassette tapes sitting on my desk in front of me right now, so I can study all their deliberations after the fact, even of the meetings I can't make. And I tried to make all of those two particular committee meetings in 2008. You don't always get a true sense of what is going on just from the minutes.
Of course, I never have an expectation of financial support in those events, but I always have an expectation of gaining understanding. So I go out of my way, I take the time.
Finally, I would comment on the earlier post by another, that BORPAC and our local real estate people do not see eye to eye. That has been my understanding, ever since my interview with BORPAC in 2007. They did not support me then or now, but neither has any local real estate agent or broker. In fact the local real estate folks include some of my most avid opposition. While it is true I can't make everyone happy, it seems when it comes to the real estate industry, I can't make anyone happy.
-- Travis Chandler, City Councilman
### Back to the mighty Bolder Bugle
