By Jim Shilander
The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce is threatening to sue the organizers of a political action committee, which has alleged that the Chamber used government funds to lobby on behalf of its endorsed candidates during the election season.
Chamber attorney Stuart Leviton contacted Charles and Jeri Mann Monday, regarding the complaint. The Manns are involved with the PAC “Watchdog for San Clemente Responsible Government,” which opposes the Chamber’s two endorsed candidates, Jim Dahl and Mike Mortenson, and supports Chris Hamm and Bob Baker (listed on the ballot as 1 Robert “Bob” Baker).
The attorney stated in a letter that a defamation suit would be filed on behalf of the Chamber if the claims cited were not retracted, and asks for a public apology to the Chamber and its members.
Leviton’s letter further stated, “A prompt response today will avoid the need to file the draft complaint tomorrow. Absent a prompt response today, we will file the draft complaint tomorrow, and the Chamber is prepared to litigate this matter through trial, and beyond, if necessary, to vindicate its good name, and the reputation of its members and directors. Although we are hopeful litigation can be avoided, please do not doubt the Chamber’s resolve in this matter.”
The Chamber referred to the claims made in the mailers as “false” and “libelous on their face.” The Chamber specifically cited accusations that the Chamber used taxpayer funds to support Mortenson’s and Dahl’s campaigns, and that the Chamber’s spending on Dahl’s campaign represented “a kickback,” as defamatory.
Leviton’s filing said the Manns, as well as Janice Smith, of San Clemente-based business Better Presenter, “knowingly and intentionally accused the Chamber of engaging in criminal activity,” which they knew not to be true.
The filing states that the city had, in the past, contracted the Chamber to print materials and to conduct events. “At no time has the City ‘given’ the Chamber anything,” the document states specifically.
Calls to Charles and Jeri Mann placed by the San Clemente Times were not returned.
There may not be anything underhanded going on but what did the Chamber think was going to happen when they publicly supported any candidates?
It just looks fishy, they should be neutral and look out for the best interests of there business members.
I am a business owner in town and a chamber member. I was not asked my opinion on the chambers support for two candidates I do not support.
I will not be renewing my chamber membership.
You should not condone the libelist acts of Mann (and by extension Baker and Hamm by their silence) . I agree with you that this is what the city has come to expect from these characters, lies and childish stunts like this. But that is not what we should stand for, simply accepting it as “what to expect”. Organizations are not neutral, they represent something. You are right to quit the Chamber if you don’t believe in standing up for the organization and it’s beliefs.
If Mann is behind this, I am not surprised. He and his minnons have done enough damage to San Clemente. If the Chamber’s accusations are valid, Mann and his minions should be punished — maybe just run out of town would suffice?
I am really glad to see the Chamber stand up.
The Chamber has a PAC that raised money, endorsed candidates that they believe have the best interests of the Chamber members at heart and informed the public about their candidates. They have done this for as long as I can remember. They are a business membership group after all. They endorse candidates who support business. All the information that they gave was truthful.
The Watchdog PAC is Jeri Mann (wife of Charles Mann) and Janice Smith (wife of Jim Smith). It is funded by one person, Charles Mann, with the written goal of the PAC to defeat Jim Dahl and Mike Mortenson. I received 3 mailers but I have heard that there were up to 6. So somewhere between $24k and $96K for these total. All of them were filled with lies and misinformation. And just nasty and crude.
Mr. Mann has spent over $300K in San Clemente over the last 6 years starting with Measure C.
Hoping that the Watchdogs will issue a public apology for their lies.
Maybe the others that they lied about should follow the lead of the Chamber.
Don’t waste any of our tax money on this. What is the harm to the chamber, really? Is the Chamber going to be stopped from doing something they want to do? The chamber should not be able to file a frivolous complaint that uses any of the money donated by the city taxpayers.
Kathleen – I’m surprised by you again. First that you condone such outrageous negative and devise campaigning; Secondly – that you don’t get it – the Chamber PAC is funded by their members on a voluntarily base. It is totally separate from their operation of the chamber. We the city vote each year to support the chamber with specific programs which have in the past been for military support where the chamber volunteers do all the work. This past year we supported the city visitors guide and the ECR banner program. It’s a shame that Baker, because of his personal dislike of the Chamber was the only council member to vote against these 2 project. This guy like Mann is a divisive force with in SC. He doesn’t have a clue of what leadership is all about. He need to take some lessons from Tim Brown, who I don’t always agree with, but handles himself in a profession, non-personal way.
This is a potential civil lawsuit so the loser gets to pay all the bills.
All the Mann’s need to do is admit that they lied ( and they were whooper lies). Then no lawsuit.
Again, Jim, what are the damages? That part I do not get. I’ve told you personally that I do not condone dirty politics and games played with our election. What you call divisive, other people call the truth. I really want to work with everyone, but hijacking our election process with a fake candidate is not showing good faith to me that you really WANT to work together.
We will see who is on the next city council and I hope to God you all respect each other and work together. We aren’t getting anywhere with the mantra of NO NO NO and words like ‘divisiveness’ and people asking for apologies. We are all grownups here and this is politics. Everyone gives their opinion and the people will decide who they believe.
And, Jim, I look forward to helping out on whatever I can this next year.
The damages are to the Chamber’s reputation among the community. If people think they’re “crooked” or “bribing” elected officials with “kickbacks”, that has a serious impact on their reputation. Seems like Mann and friends could’ve easily remedied their wrong and avoided a lawsuit by issuing a public apology. Not surprised they didn’t. The audacity of nope.
The City and Tax payers fund the Chamber of Commerce in two ways:
1. Chamber Building Lease is $100 for prime real estate. That building on ECR could easily be a $2,000 per month lease. That is a gift from the Tax payers of $22,000+ or more per year…
2. The tax payers via the council vote do give via grant $31,260 to the Chamber.
Why does the chamber take this money when they have over $500k in the bank and they want to voice an opinion during an election.
since the chamber takes money from the city and Tax payers, we all have a right to our opinions too. If they don’t want to be associated with the dirty game of politics, the chamber should stay out of the election by not funding their chosen friends.
I noticed the Mayor is on the board of the Chamber.
There will be no lawsuit here. just a bunch of whining.
correction:
2. The tax payers via the council vote to grant $31,260 to the Chamber. $31,260 is in the budget to give to the Chamber of Commerce. That is Tax dollars.
STOP the LIARS. Go Chamber. Stick up for yourselves.
according to an article found on the web, only 1/3 of chambers in NY endorsed a canidate. Guess what, controversy followed… What makes the SC chamber think they would be different? Of course controversy would follow.
Chambers of commerce are meant to further the interests of the local business community, but does endorsing political candidates fall within that mission?
The chambers that do it are still in the Minority.
http://www.uticaod.com/news/x386662041/Should-chambers-of-commerce-endorse-candidates
http://www.peoriachamber.com/peoria-chamber-policy-statements.html
http://www.stluciechamber.org/decision_2012/
The above are just a few that don’t endorse canidates.
Maybe the SC Chamber should stop taking city(TaxPayer) money before they claim wrong doing.
2 Cents you have way too much time on your hands! Kathleen you need to get different mentors.
I just want rich people like the Mann’s to stop spending outrageous amounts of money lying to us.
I challenge the Mann’s to spend their money on an edownment to some good cause in SC.
Kathleen, you are right on the money. How has the Chamber been defamed or more relevant how have they been monetarily damaged? This is yet another example of the Chamber’s misguided leadership and their complete incompetence in representing businesses in San Clemente.
The first order of business of the new City Council should be to remove ALL city subsidies including cheap rent on their building. With a strong message from Council, maybe the members of the Chamber can rid themselves of their poor leadership.
Mr. Mayor, lets have a recap of the past three elections;
2008 – Steve Knoblach kicked off council
2010 – Joe Anderson kicked off council
2012 – Jim Dahl kicked off council
2014 – Jim Evert???