Baldwin Park : Chamber Opposes Protests

The Chamber of Commerce is urging its members not to sign either of two petitions being circulated in the city. In a letter to members, chamber president Clinton Nixon announced the organization’s opposition to a drive to recall Mayor Jack White and Councilmen Robert McNeill and Leo King. The recall effort has been launched by Concerned Citizens for Better Government to protest the council’s imposition of a 5% utility tax last year.

“I think the council has done a good job and is continuing to do a good job,” Nixon said, citing gains he said have been made in redevelopment and attracting business. He said tax revenue generated by redevelopment eventually will lead to the utility tax being repealed. In April, the council lowered the tax to 4%.

Petitions are also being circulated by the Baldwin Park Homeowners Group to place a referendum on the ballot that could kill the controversial Sierra Vista redevelopment project. Nixon said the chamber is telling its members to oppose this movement.