Laserfiche WebLink
<br />5/18/82 <br /> <br />Page -2- <br /> <br />Councilwoman Morris <br /> <br />Stated she had questions regarding the <br />City's role with the Chamber of Commerce <br />both as a dues paying member and a voting <br />member. It was her feeling there maybe possible <br />conflicts. She referred to Governmental <br />Relations in the Chamber's statement of <br />Goals - "is to be effective in the local <br />political process of recruiting, electing, <br />and appointing candidates to public office, <br />as well as influencing special issue elections." <br />It was her feeling this was in direct con- <br />flict with the City. She felt that perhaps <br />the City should be an associate member whereby <br />the City could be supportive of the informative <br />services but did not favor being a voting <br />member. <br /> <br />Councilman Leary <br /> <br />Concurred with Councilwoman Morris and felt <br />councilmembers should reconsider their mem- <br />bership.and definitely not pay dues. It <br />was his feeling the City is not a private <br />organization and does not exist for commer- <br />cial interests. Also, he felt there was <br />a-potential for City-Chamber conflict. He <br />cited the Neodata issue - if the City was <br />a dues paying member, using taxpayers money, <br />on an issue which has not been resolved. <br />The Chamber has supported Neodata, while <br />there are taxpayers in the community who <br />have shown opposition; therefore he felt <br />those citizens were being shorted in this <br />situation. He also felt that if any issues <br />were going to be supported or candidates, <br />that supporting the Chamber with funds <br />would place the City in direct conflict with <br />the Campaign Act of 1974. Councilman Leary <br />also felt it would be a luxury item to pay <br />dues at this time. <br /> <br />Councilman Cummings <br /> <br />Commented that if Council should decide to <br />pay dues and become a voting member, he felt <br />the City's vote could become a strong in- <br />fluence of what Councilmembers felt could <br />distract from the City's to citizens interest. <br />It was his feeling there wasn't a difference <br />of a councilmember supporting any issue, i.e. <br />Neodata, Chamber of Commerce, etc. using his <br />influence - to use that as a detriment to <br />this group. He commented he felt dues would <br />be a show of support and didn't feel that <br />the Chamber of Commerce uses their influence <br />