As signs start to pop up on our landscape to announce candidates and measures, I have noticed that there seems to be a group appearing in American Canyon -- I'll call them the "three amigos." This is a very scary scenario. The American Canyon Chamber of Commerce, in its infinite wisdom, spelled it out in a recent press release: two or possibly three candidates are running as a "team," while a fourth awaits their election to council.

Has anyone ever heard of the Brown Act? Their friendship and camaraderie is great, but not on my council. I want different ideas from each council member. I want council members who discuss, disagree and agree with each other until they arrive at the best decision and outcome for this city and its residents. I don't want a council with all the same ideas on what's to come. We had that in the beginning. I don't want a "team" that will discuss issues and talk to each other out of closed sessions and public meetings to decide this city's fate. I don't want another council who will decide we have to live with what they decide "they want."

If what you see is what you get, then let's be afraid of this "team," let us beware of these "three amigos." The chamber supports them. It's about time this "do-nothing" chamber supported something other than its social get-together! The chamber also decided to attack former mayor, vice mayor and councilmember Lori Luporini. Why? Isn't that what is called "whipping a dead horse?" Are they afraid because so many people know the truth that certain interests started a chain of events to remove her from our council? Why?

The chamber then goes on to attack Cecil Shaver, our current mayor. Cecil has been a constant supporter of property rights for home owners. He would like to bring this run-away race to build a house or something on every square inch of land in the city to a walk. Others feel open space is a tree and grass in the median of a street. Is that why they attack him? They attack Cindy Coffey. Yes, it's a fact she opposed Wal-Mart. This is because she doesn't believe it is paying its fair share to be in our city. The city gets to figure out where to get more than $19 million to fix the highway so people can get to Wal-Mart. Ask what Wal-Mart paid.

I supported Wal-Mart, not only because I shop there but because Buzz Butler needed it to pass to get his Napa Junction Project off the ground. Once again, Wal-Mart is in the courts -- it's a dead issue. The chamber then attacked Paul Maguire. I am "pro-signage" for business directions but the highway right now is an unsightly joke. Just look at the corner of Napa Junction Road. Why do we need these huge signs every few yards on our highway?

The chamber has every right to endorse anyone or anything it wishes. These were not endorsements. These were the personal choices of who someone wants on this council. How many of these chamber members are there? How many live here in American Canyon?

Many residents are outraged at the mud-slinging tactics used by the chamber, especially the attacks aimed at Cindy Coffey and Cecil Shaver, two councilmembers who residents feel are doing a great job, and council members residences have trust in.

This chamber in American Canyon should be ashamed it allowed their name to be on the "immediate releases" that were recently published. They should be embarrassed -- these releases were unprofessional and not what should be expected from professional business men and women.

(Freskan-Griffin lives in American Canyon.)