September 5, 2008

The Governor visits the COMPAC BBQ

The annual barbecue hosted by the San Jose-Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee (COMPAC) always brings out the political leaders of the bay area. This year, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger added even more of a star quality to the gathering.

The crowd of more than 1,000 that attended the event at San Jose History Park on Wednesday, Aug. 28 included incumbents and wannabes of state and local government. Pat Waite and Rose Herrera, seeking to represent District 8 on San Jose’s City Council, were there to schmooze with other politicos and corporate executives.

The buzz about a surprise visitor focused on the governor once several state troopers showed up. The clock passed the scheduled time to begin serving the food catered by Armadillo Willy’s and the lines stayed long at the bar while waiting for the main guest to arrive. Schwarzenegger did show and thanked the leaders of San Jose for being so friendly as he made a pitch for the proposition on the November ballot to revise redistricting procedures.

The Chamber’s leader, Pat Dando, also announced that the organization would be relocating to new quarters at 101 W. Santa Clara in downtown San Jose. After leasing space for a number of years, the Chamber bought the Former Dan Jose National Bank offices.

The barbecue is the Chamber’s major fundraiser for its political action committee.

—By Bill Highlander