Yes, Local Government Does Have Favorites

Have you noticed that El Barrio (a market in downtown Grass Valley) has been featured on the City of Grass Valley’s Facebook Page eight times between May 1, 2023 and September 15, 2023? On average, the city is promoting El Barrio on Facebook once every two weeks. 

It looks like only ten other businesses have been featured on the City’s Facebook Page across 17 posts. El Barrio is clearly the favorite. Why does our local government use taxpayer resources to promote one business over others? 

Other businesses featured on Facebook: Pepe’s Cafe, LaTeDa, Lazy Dog, Curious Forge, Lola and Jack, Cirino’s, Yuba Blue, ASiF, Grass Valley Brewing Company, and The Phoenix Taphouse. 

Why is a Government Facebook Page Favoring Businesses Associated with Elected Officials?

Who is the manager of El Barrio as listed on El Barrio’s legal filings? Haven Caravelli, who is on the Grass Valley City Council, elected in 2022. 

Another favorite seems to be Lazy Dog. Lazy Dog is owned by Paula Newman whose sister is Nevada County Supervisor Sue Hoek.

Mill Street is the Main Focus of Most Posts

Another observation is that the City of Grass Valley government rarely features any business, project, or event that isn’t on Mill Street. Its Mother’s Day post on Facebook encouraged people to shop at “local shops,” but only if they are downtown, tagging stores like Corvus Bakery, Native Wren, The Bookseller, Lola and Jack, and Yuba Blue. 

Who’s Missing? 

Which businesses right on Mill Street haven’t been featured in the same time frame? Here are a few: MeZe Eatery, Empire Shoes, Bamboo Home Store, Grass Valley Games, Stucki Jewelers, Marshall’s Pasties, and others.

See for yourself:

The City of Grass Valley wants everyone to celebrate one particular business’ anniversary.

No caption necessary, apparently. The local government simply wants you to shop at this market.

The government is excited to feature as many of their products as possible. Please spend your money here! - our government

This market must be in trouble because this is the only time the government has actually tried to help a local business hire new staff.

You’d think that the city government would want the public to know the hours of all downtown businesses, but nope, this business is the only one they want you to visit.

Buy, buy, buy!!!