Our contract with the Chamber of Commerce

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 Dear City Council,

I wish I could attend tonight's meeting. I am anxious to find out if I will get another term on the Parks and Rec Commission, and dearly hope I do. Regardless of the outcome though, I am grateful for your consideration and all the time you have put into the selection process.

I am concerned about the city's contract with the Chamber of Commerce. I am all in favor of there being a contract, but I would like to see the City Council levee some influence on the direction of the Chamber as a result of it. Among your recently stated goals was the development of economic diversity. I take this to mean that we should do more to encourage businesses outside of wine/food/tourism. Our community hungers for this diversity downtown; for shopping options in-town that can save them a trip to Santa Rosa or elsewhere. 

A few ways the Chamber could help is by showing some favor for diversity-building business in the aid and guidance they offer entrepreneurs. They should invest in a robust 'shop local' campaign to support these kinds of businesses. Is everyone convinced that tourist-based businesses are the most prone to long-term success in town? I am not. But we need to conduct a study to be sure. If we find that wine and tourism is 'where it's at" -then so be it. But if it is otherwise, then this information would provide valuable encouragement for diversity-enhancing entrepreneurs. With tourist-heavy options downtown are we foolishly passing up our closest and most enthusiastic market -the town's residents? Needless to say, this study would have to be contracted with an unbiased consulting firm. 

Please pause approval of our contract with the Chamber. Let's get some public input in on this so that we can feel good about our money serving all businesses, and that it will support our downtown's function as a commercial center for all residents, not just those who share the tastes of our visitors.


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