Local Company to Leave Berkeley Due to Protests

DailyCal.org ^ | April 3, 2008 | Jessica Kwong

[PROCON]

A software company in Downtown Berkeley has announced it will be relocating outside of the city, citing what they claim is a "non-response" to crime by Berkeley police officers, who are forced instead to deal with protests at the Marine recruiting center.

Avontus Software, which has been based in Berkeley for more than a year, is one of many businesses affected by anti-war protests surrounding the recruiting center.

The city's decision to support Code Pink and other anti-war groups protesting the center by granting noise and parking permits has been detrimental to the business climate, according to Brian Webb, Avontus Software chief executive officer.

"All they're doing is giving our city negative press-they're removing our businesses," Webb said. "I actually have had to remove our address from our Web site because we received negative feedback from our customers about being here."

Webb's complaint is one of many the city has received about demonstrations disrupting business Downtown.

"There definitely are a lot of businesses, particularly in that area, that are concerned with the noise," said Dave Fogarty, the economic development coordinator with the city. "Customers are being driven away because of the lack of parking and the difficulty of getting to the businesses."

But Webb said it was not the noise but the high crime rate that prompted his decision to relocate.

Berkeley police Sgt. Mary Kusmiss acknowledged that the increased manpower at the protests has sometimes taken away from other police roles.

"Property crimes have been historically our greatest challenge," Kusmiss said. "There have been days when the protests and demonstrations have had an impact on our ability to provide services to the community."

In 2007, Berkeley experienced 7,279 property crimes, a figure that has been consistent through the years, she said.

Webb said he thinks the council is misdirecting police and city funds.

"I actually agree with City Council-I think the war is bad, but the way they're dealing with it is not the proper way," he said. "They're not focusing on crime, they're focusing on anti-war issues."

But city officials say police resources have not been concentrated improperly.

"(Police) involved in the Marine recruiting center demonstrations are overtime, it's not the regular crew," said Councilmember Dona Spring, who represents the Downtown area.

While businesses across the nation are suffering from an economic slump, Webb said he believes Berkeley's anti-war stance has been an added negative.

"We're probably more hit more economically because of the construction downturn, but we have lost customers because they don't want to do business in Berkeley," Webb said.

But Chamber of Commerce CEO Ted Garrett said he is not worried that more businesses will move because of Berkeley's relationship with the center.

"Quite honestly, I would question the sensibility of any businessperson for moving because of City Council actions," he said. "Business decisions generally are not made on a political basis."

Avontus Software, which anticipates moving in the next several months, is the first business to leave Berkeley for reasons relating to the center, according to Spring.

"I'm sorry to hear they're leaving, but I think it's inevitable given the conflict that is happening with the Marine recruiting center," Spring said. "... I don't see how the businesses in that square can sustain the kind of controversy that the Marine recruiting center has had on that locale."

[PROCON]

"I actually have had to remove our address from our Web site because we received negative feedback from our customers about being here.

Hope others will follow!

[jdm]

Sad. F****** sad.

[freema]

Ping

[FormerACLUmember]

Die, Berkeley, die.

Hey criminals, there’s a golden opportunity in Berkeley!

[mad_as_he$$]

Boycotts do not work! /s

[NonValueAdded]

"(Police) involved in the Marine recruiting center demonstrations are overtime, it's not the regular crew," said Councilmember Dona Spring, who represents the Downtown area.

Oh, I see then Ms. Spring. It's not because they're busy elsewhere, it's because they're incompetent then. Say, Councilmember Spring, aren't you responsible for their performance? Don't you oversee the quality of services your taxpayers are forced to support?

[Drango]

BOYCOTT BERKELEY PING LIST

Please FReep mail me to be added or removed from this *PING* list.

[I see my hands]

"Hope others will follow"

I don't. I hope they remain and fail. And I'm disappointed the leftist money launders at Avontus Software didn't stay on principle, business concerns be damned.

[rogue yam]

I was in downtown Berkeley last night. There were agressive-looking dirtballs everywhere. I was relieved to get back to San Francisco.

[George - the Other]

>Spring said. “... I don’t see how the businesses in that square can sustain the kind of controversy that the Marine recruiting center has had on that locale.”

Whoa! Wait a minute! The controversy is being cause by Code Pink, not the Marine Recruiting Center.

[jazusamo]

Spring said. "... I don't see how the businesses in that square can sustain the kind of controversy that the Marine recruiting center has had on that locale."

She's a complete idiot! It's not the Marines, it's code pinkos and protesters that are making the downtown uninhabitable.

[Drango]

Here are some other Berkeley firms…most of them are not on the Chamber of Commerce list. Email or call them. Be polite, but ask them to move out of Berkeley.

http://www.backroads.com/contact/
www.cactusjungle.com
www.stevengrover.com
www.elsarch.com
http://www.pgw.com/home/contacts.aspx
http://www.truittandwhite.com/
www.kagi.com
www.polymertech.com
www.ihomefinder.com
www.xoma.com (800) BIO-XOMA
www.neurofocus.com/
www.mog.com
www.techsafety.com 800-877-7742
www.libbylabs.com
www.bearinc.com
www.quantal.com

[mad_as_he$$]

Will do.

[SandRat]

hehehehehehe -— thee more the merrier!

[GVnana]

Better for all concened that Avontus leaves.

[freema]

She’s not responsible, jaz. Come on, now. Geez. /sarc

[Girlene]

Property crimes have been historically our greatest challenge," Kusmiss said. "There have been days when the protests and demonstrations have had an impact on our ability to provide services to the community."

Maybe the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce need a new road sign to a better future in Berkeley.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

"Quite honestly, I would question the sensibility of any businessperson for moving because of City Council actions," he said. "Business decisions generally are not made on a political basis."

This loon is going to find out real fast exactly how wrong he is.

[Drango]

http://www.nolo.com/support/contact.cfm (800) 728-3555
Call ‘em and ask ‘em to leave!

[Randy Larsen]

Bad Idea in my opinion!

Let them suffer until they finally understand the effect of negative publicity...

[freema]

Code Pink thinks April Fool’s is fun. I do too! How about an April Fool’s joke where detour signs are put at every entrance to Berkeley, or For Sale signs put in lots of yards.

[Girlene]

LOL, freema. Those are good “pranks”. Maybe even some “Do not Enter” signs leading into Berkeley?

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping.

BOYCOTT BERKELEY.

BOYCOTT BERKELEY.

BOYCOTT BERKELEY.

BOYCOTT BERKELEY.

[sionnsar]

I was relieved to get back to San Francisco.

Haven't been in Berserkely since the '80s. The dirty ugly San Franfrisky I saw in the 90s doesn't encourage me either -- and you say today the latter is better than the former.

Well... maybe Berserkely is a good place for our seminary after all...

[3niner]

Spring said. "... I don't see how the businesses in that square can sustain the kind of controversy that the Marine recruiting center has had on that locale."

I expect that the Marine recruiting center was there for quite a while without ever causing any problems for the local businesses. The problems came from the actions of the City Council and Code Pink. Any business owner with half a brain will know that.

[badgerlandjim]

bump

[444Flyer]

I have NO sympathy for Berkeley, especially today. Our city has just lost one of its finest citizens. He was a very brave USMC Major who died from a roadside bomb while serving our country in al-Anbar province. He leaves behind his wife and four children. God’s rest Major.

[USMCPOP]

"(Police) involved in the Marine recruiting center demonstrations are overtime, it's not the regular crew," said Councilmember Dona Spring, who represents the Downtown area.

Oh no, we hire a separate goon squad for that...

[444Flyer]

The businesses go marching out of Berkeley, hoorah, hoorah
The businesses go marching out of Berkeley, hoorah, hoorah...:)

[PROCON]

“Lets give Code Pink a kick in the A$$, hoorah, hoorah”

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thank you for the ping.

[danmar]

"I'm sorry to hear they're leaving, but I think it's inevitable given the conflict that is happening with the Marine recruiting center," Spring said. "... I don't see how the businesses in that square can sustain the kind of controversy that the Marine recruiting center has had on that locale."

Boy, those innocent Berkeley angels been terrorized by those dastardly, mean and ruthless Marine recruiting center. Can you imagine that!...the terror, angst, sleepless nights, nightmares. "The MARINES" are recruiting in YOUR town.

[PROCON]

"The MARINES" are recruiting in YOUR town.

Yes!

The Horror of it all/sob

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[USMC Brat]

Drango, post 7 > Thanks for the Ping
444Flyer, post 29 > Thanks for the Ping

Spring said. “... I don’t see how the businesses in that square can sustain the kind of controversy that the Marine recruiting center has had on that locale.”

"Whoa! Wait a minute! The controversy is being cause by Code Pink, not the Marine Recruiting Center." - George, post 10

"She's a complete idiot! It's not the Marines, it's code pinkos and protesters that are making the downtown uninhabitable." - jazusamo, post 11

##

Spot ON! It's Code Pink, at the invitation and "applause" of the City Council who brought all the controversy. They are both to blame... and NOT the Marines.

[USMC Brat]

"I expect that the Marine recruiting center was there for quite a while without ever causing any problems for the local businesses. The problems came from the actions of the City Council and Code Pink. Any business owner with half a brain will know that."

The Marine OSO opened in Jan 2007, and it wasn't until Sept that Code Pink exclaimed "they suddenly showed up." Code Pink ran 2 or 3 "organizing meeting" announcements in the local paper and they began weekly protests in Oct.

So, Yes, the Marine Office was established for 9-months before Pinkos discovered it. They definitely aren't familiar with downtown Berkeley if it took them 3/4 of a year to notice a Marine Office there.

[USMC Brat]

I have NO sympathy for Berkeley, especially today. Our city has just lost one of its finest citizens. He was a very brave USMC Major who died from a roadside bomb while serving our country in al-Anbar province. He leaves behind his wife and four children. God’s rest Major.

My sincerest condolances to the Major's family...

[Stonewall Jackson]

I just looked at Avontus Software's website and it appears that they primarily deal with construction firms. The software they produce helps construction workers determine what type of scaffolding, formwork, and shoring up they will have to do to complete a job.

Unfortunately, I'm not in the construction business, otherwise I'd make a small purchase just to show my support for their wise decision.

[USMC Brat]

Businesses for Peace May Counter Boycott
By Judith Scherr 2008-04-01

Once again the anti-war Code Pink ladies are squaring off with pro-war Eagles Up. This time it’s not dueling demos at the Marine Recruiting Center.

It’s contradictory calls to go shopping.

Eagles Up and Move America Forward folk want their allies to shop outside Berkeley until the City Council apologizes to the Marines for its opposition to military recruitment in Berkeley.

Not to be outdone by the (mostly) leather-clad, Harley-riding Eagles Up crowd that has held demonstrations in Berkeley three times, Code Pink is promoting Berkeley businesses under the moniker “Businesses for Peace.”

The organization’s kickoff is noon on Thursday at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way, and so far it has 30 local tax-paying businesses signed up.

/excerpt/

##

They're calling this a "bUycott" complete with store-window decals... probably cotton-candy PINK ones. (eeeesh... I can't even wear pink anymore. I gave everything pink to a local charity.)

Businesses that have signed up with “Businesses for Peace” are posted at their webpage, aparently hosted by Code Pink.

[Drango]

http://www.businessesforpeace.org

* Anna’s Jazz Island, Anna De Leon
* American Acupuncture Center, Amy Lee
* Berkeley Mills, Gene Agress
* Boss, Boona Cheema
* Bridget Scadeng Massage & Pernatal Education
* Cafe del la Paz, Russell Bass
* Cafe Gratitude, Chandra Gilbert
* Cal Copy
* Chakra [Voyant] Productions, Bonniee Mookherjee
* Collectors Realm3
* Eclair Bakery, Mike Yi
* Eudemonia, Dean Koa
* Fertile Grounds Cafe, Ayman Morrar
* Frank’s Tailoring, Frank
* Global Exchange Fair Trade Store, Carolyn Gravely
* Guerilla Cafe, Andrea Ali
* Its Her Business: Antiques and Koolectibles
* John Northmore Roberts & Associates, John N. Roberts
* La Pena Cultural Center, Paul Chin
* Lhasa Salon
* Meola Investigations, Robert Meola
* Michael Alef Association, Michael Alef
* Moran Engineering, Inc., Everett Moran
* Mudrakers Cafe, Hatem Bazian
* Nabalom Bakery, Bruce Russell
* Paper Crane Music, Betsy Rose
* Seventh Heaven Yoga Studio, Jodie Evans
* Sharon Adams Law Office, Sharon Adams
* Single Source Telecom, Elyce Judith
* Skills DJ Workshop
* Slidewerks, Ivan Amodt
* The Juice Bar Collective
* The Tree House, Maureen
* UniTech Electronics

[freema]

Tonight, midnight. I’ll get the truck. Let’s “synchronize” our watches. We’ll meet on Bancroft Way.

; )

[Drango]

Berkeley Mills
http://www.berkeleymills.com/Contact.aspx

877.426.4557 ph

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[freema]

We’ll pick you up in Durango, Drango ; )

[freema]

We’ll pick you up in Durango, Drango ; )

[mad_as_he$$]

Great idea to support them when they leave!

[what_not2007]

marine recruiting stations are controversial?

What a crock!

This is so very sad that Americans are acting like this. They should be shipped to China, frankly.

[JZelle]

"I actually agree with City Council-I think the war is bad, but the way they're dealing with it is not the proper way,"

So this company is merely acting like a mugged liberal.

[MrB]

Yeah, I’m with you. Leftists should have to suffer the consequences of the ideology that they support.

At least the negative attention actually HURT these folks. The city council is rather insulated from actual pain (incentive) to change their ways.

Usually, leftists’ temper tantrums are, to them, more important than any other issue, such as national security.

I have a 3 year old, so it helps me understand leftists.