"Riley Factor"

This article was featured in the October 2007 issue of Business Matters, our monthly print newsletter.

Chamber Endorses Candidates for Mayor, County Commissioner in General Election

This past spring, the Board of Directors of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry voted to endorse candidates for political office. The vote to endorse candidates was a first for the Chamber and represents a new era of more active political involvement.

For Berks County Commissioner:

Kevin S. Barnhardt

Christian Y. Leinbach

Mark C. Scott

For Mayor, City of Reading:

Thomas M. McMahon

Leadership Matters
 

Professionalism and effective leadership is critical when it comes to public service. Leadership in Berks County and City of Reading will have a direct impact on the future of our community. County Commissioners oversee a half billion dollar annual budget and directly impact economic development, roads, land planning, law enforcement and our overall quality of life. The vitality of the City of Reading also has broad regional economic and quality of life implications. That is why the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry is committed to playing a major role in recommending who our leaders should be in our community.

Leadership is a combination of experience, commitment and vision. We believe that the candidates we have endorsed will provide these necessary character traits.

Endorsement Process

The endorsement vote was the culmination of a long process that began with the formation of a task force that focused on the offices of Mayor and County Commissioner in the 2007 elections.  After an extensive review of candidate surveys and interviews, the task force made its recommendation to the full Chamber Board of Directors who then voted to endorse and assist these candidates. The Chamber will be implementing a broad based media campaign to help get the candidates elected.

Three Ways You Can Help

1. Vote for these Chamber-supported candidates on November 6 and urge your employees to do so as well!

2. Contact the candidates (contact information is available from Chamber website) to find out the many ways you can assist in their campaigns - displaying signs, working at polls, etc.

3. Make a contribution to the Greater Reading Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC).  All of the money raised for the PAC will be used in our media campaign to help get these candidates elected!  If you would like to make a contribution, contact Bernie Riley at the Chamber for more details.