The following is was presented by one of our town's "Super Citizen's" Don Bristow during the "Call To Audience" at the May 2 Town Council Meeting. The remarks are in reaction to the proposed 2012/2013 budget which includes a $25,000 donation to The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce ("The Chamber"):
We agree with Don. The Chamber is a private organization. It should receive no funding from the citizens of Oro Valley.
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Why the Council should consider not funding the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce:
- The Chamber is not a governmental organization
- The Chamber of Commerce is not an exclusive Oro Valley organization
- The Chamber is active in political and legislative affairs; therefore it is a conflict of interest to fund them
- The Chamber is not located in Oro Valley. Therefore, its rental payments are not supporting any Oro Valley property owners.
- The Chamber is made up of business owners, but not all businesses receive the so-called referral benefits of the organization.
- It is not possible to isolate Oro Valley funding from the overall activities of this Chamber
- The Town has already proposed the addition of 2 staff members for economic development which will benefit all existing businesses and the further the pursuit of new business opportunities.
- The Mayor has 3 business ambassadors in direct contact with every business in Oro Valley.
- The Town's website already provides a direct link to the Chamber at no cost to the Chamber
- At the last Council Meeting, a council member told us: "Markets determine actions, not the Town or its citizens." Therefore, it is up to the Chamber's market to determine the level of membership, funding and programs they are willing to support, not the Town or the citizens.
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