Co-op Board Incumbents Roll to Victory; Measures Win Approval

[Mike Simpson]

Co-op Board Incumbents Roll to Victory; Measures Win Approval

by Steven Maviglio

In a record turnout, Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op Board members Ann Richardson and Alicia Dienst were overwhelmingly re-elected, and two Board-backed ballot measures also won lopsided victories in a hotly-contested election where a proposed boycott of Israeli products was a major issue. The two board candidates elected had strongly opposed the boycott, proposed by the Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) group of Sacramento.

Richardson received 1,338 votes and Dienst snared 1,328 ballots, far outpacing BDS-backed candidates Susan Bush (442) and Cody Potter (424). A fifth candidate, Phyllis Ehlert, received 251 votes.

Measure 2, which bans the Co-op from discriminating in its practices based on political opinion or the national origin of products, was approved by an 83.3-16.7 percent margin.

Measure 1, a technical bylaw change that will allow the Co-op to offer preferred shares, also won, approved by a 76-24 percent margin.

Both measures were supported by the Board of Directors and opposed by BDS.

The vote signals clear support for the Board's position to focus on the store's mission of providing natural foods, supporting local growers, encouraging the development of the cooperative movement, and community education.

On Friday, the Sacramento Superior Court dismissed a lawsuit against the Board by two BDS members.

The official results will be posted on the store's website, www.sacnaturalfoodscoop.com and in the store near the customer service desk.

Disclosure: Steven Maviglio is President of the Board of Directors of the Sacramento Natural Foods Cooperative.