November 17, 2011
Contact: Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, ABC San Diego
(619) 997-2495 or Email Gayle
Jerry Kern honored for Support of Fair and Open Competition
Oceanside councilmember key in passing City Charter promoting competition in public construction
(San Diego, CA) – Oceanside City Councilmember Jerry Kern received an Excellence in Leadership Award for his pioneering support of fair and open competition from the Associated Builders and Contractors of San Diego at its annual Excellence in Contracting Awards on November 17.
"We only recognize one political figure each year, and this year the choice was clear,” said Philip Piel, ABCSD Board Chairman. “Jerry Kern has stood up for fair and open competition early and often.”
Among Kern’s accomplishments:
- Kern sponsored a city charter for Oceanside requiring fair and open competition in public contracting for the first time in California, saving Oceanside taxpayer millions of dollars.
- Kern travels at his own expense to advocate for reform in other cities and to encourage local elected officials to stand up to labor union pressure against providing equal opportunity.
- Kern is a leader in the region in advocating a “job creation” approach to government
Project labor agreements (PLAs) place restrictions on contracting which limit the ability of businesses to compete for work, driving up the costs to taxpayers of public construction projects.
“I will continue to speak out on behalf fair and open competition,” added Kern. “More now than ever, we need robust competition to lower costs. We owe taxpayers nothing less than the maximum value for every tax dollar. We must also ensure that every local business has the opportunity to compete for work funded with their own taxes. It’s simple fairness.”
About ABC San Diego
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national trade association representing 22,000 members from more than 19,000 construction and industry-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. The San Diego Chapter of ABC represents construction and construction-related firms throughout San Diego County. To find out more about ABCSD, visit www.abcsd.org.
