READER'S EDITORIAL: THE SHAME OF LA MESA--COUNCIL VOTES AGAINST FAIR TRADE, BOWS TO CORPORATE INTERESTS OVER HELPING PEOPLE

“The City, on its own website, already supports many initiatives that show preference to some businesses over others—and rightly so, to promote the public good… Where were the so-called pro-life members of the council last night? Why, casting their votes on behalf of companies represented by an out-of-town Chamber of Commerce instead of showing compassion for unborn babies, children and families.”
 

By Meg Jensen
 

October 13, 2011 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council fell one vote short last night of joining major cities and small towns across America in becoming a “Fair Trade Towns USA” city. The resolution would not have cost the city a penny. It would, however, have enabled consumers to have information on retailers in La Mesa who have voluntarily agreed to carry at least two fair trade products certified to have been made without the use of child labor, slavery, or use of dangerous chemicals that harm workers and their unborn children.

Mayor Art Madrid made a strong plea for the program, noting that it would “benefit both the merchants and global communities as well.” But council members Ruth Sterling, Mark Araposthathis and Ernest Ewin voted against the measure, arguing that it was not the city’s role to promote one business over another. East County Chamber of Commerce president Scott Alevy, in an appearance that shocked fair trade supporters, testified against the measure even though his full membership had not been consulted on the measure.

He voiced “concerns,” adding that “we believe the government should not be telling businesses what to sell, how to sell, or what to charge.”
 

Mayor Madrid called such arguments “asinine.” He’s right.

The measure merely offers consumers information so they can choose whether to shop at fair trade stores or not. Merchants who feel disadvantaged can easily add just two fair trade products to be included on the list. But the mayor and others missed the broader point. The City, on its own website, already supports many initiatives that show preference to some businesses over others—and rightly so, to promote the public good.
 

I noticed that La Mesa’s Chamber of Commerce representatives were curiously absent. Could that be because the City actively promotes the Oktoberfest sponsored by the La Mesa Chamber? The event fattens the City’s sales tax coffers by bringing 200,000 visitors a year to La Mesa. Those sales ring up for merchants in the La Mesa downtown village and also for out-of-town street vendors. Doesn’t that lure shoppers away from Grossmont Center and other areas of the city?
 

The City website also promotes the “Live Well” initiative which “provides residents with information they can use to find their own ways to practice healthy living.” That can’t be good for doughnut store businesses. How about promoting city parks and recreation classes? I’m sure other local Zumba and Yoga instructors would love referrals to their stores, too.
 

Then there’s the City’s Sustain La Mesa Festival, which features booths from a variety of vendors, many of whom are not even from La Mesa. They offer organic foods, fruit trees, and more. A local auto dealer displayed an electric car. Should we give his competitors who don’t offer electric vehicles equal time? Of course not.
 

It is perfectly correct and justifiably for a City to promote policies for the public good. The City already has a strong sustainability platform. Ironically on its same agenda, the Council voted to apply for a national award for its sustainability practices. Its vote against Fair Trade stands as a blight on its otherwise glowing green record.

The Fair Trade La Mesa measure was designed to help assure that people in impoverished countries aren’t preyed upon by environmentally rapacious corporations in the name of profits. Coffee and banana plantations are among the worst at both environmental practices and wages that keep people in poverty. A speaker from Fair Trade San Diego who spoke at the Council meeting told of entire towns where mothers give birth to horribly deformed babies due to the chemicals they’ve been exposed to. He also spoke of towns that have escaped such horrors, thanks to the rise of markets for free trade products.
 

Where were the so-called pro-life members of the council last night? Why, casting their votes on behalf of companies represented by an out-of-town Chamber of Commerce instead of showing compassion for unborn babies, children and families.
 

Councilman Ewin seemed to recoil in horror at mention of the words “social justice,” asking repeatedly if non-fair trade stores might be picketed. Perhaps he was fearful of an “Occupy La Mesa” march to protest his council selling out to corporate interests instead of the very real needs of people suffering around the world.  (Perhaps this Council deserves that sort of negative attention for its mindless, heartless action.)
 

Speakers told of how Fair Trade has helped entire communities around the world. That’s why big cities like Chicago and Boston, as well as numerous small towns, have joined the Fair Trade movement—which just happens to also be one of the fastest growing retail trends in America today.
 

I’ll bet many of Alevy’s Chamber members would actually support a Fair Trade designation in their city. Oh, but wait – the majority of his members aren’t even from La Mesa! Could it be that Mr. Alevy was, in fact, worried that his members in El Cajon or elsewhere might actually LOSE business to consumers who would make a conscious effort to shop at fair trade retailers in La Mesa instead?
 

Fair Trade La Mesa supporters should reach out to all of the people in La Mesa---as well as people in the broader East County community who may want to make La Mesa a destination for their fair trade shopping. The group had planned to list La Mesa on brochures and websites promoting La Mesa—literature available nationally, even internationally.

The movement is supported by many churches as well as by community groups, such as La Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club, which spoke in favor of the resolution.  La Mesa stood to bring business to our community by becoming the first Fair Trade city in San Diego County.
 

Instead, much to our City’s shame, three La Mesa Council members cast cowardly votes and bowed to corporate interests, turning down an opportunity to merely give La Mesa residents information on how our buying choices can make a positive difference to impoverished people around the world.

The views in this editorial reflect views of its author and do not necessarily reflect views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.