Letter: Chamber explains endorsement process
To the community,
When the Tahoe Chamber board decided to do what chambers of commerce all over the U.S. already do – endorse candidates – they did considerable research on the processes in place in other chambers, large and small. The board determined the need for a candidate endorsement committee (CEC) and reached out to the community for volunteers through media and chamber newsletters. [LTN note: Lake Tahoe News, which is not a member of any chamber, was not contacted.]
It was the board’s intent to have an apolitical entity with members from throughout our “One South Shore”. The composition of the candidate endorsement committee was diverse in that it included seven California residents and one Nevada resident ranging in age from 30 to 65, all from small businesses with the exception two who came from educational and religious institutions. Scott Valentine from Lake Tahoe Community College abstained from scoring college board of trustee candidates. The eight individuals who volunteered to serve their community by putting in countless hours of planning and research are greatly appreciated by the board and the membership for their dedication.
The CEC sent an invitation to all candidates inviting them to seek an endorsement. Not all candidates sought an endorsement for a wide variety of personal and professional reasons, which is to be expected. Some candidates were running unopposed, while others may have felt that an endorsement from Tahoe Chamber would not be in alignment with their platforms or interests.
However, all candidates were given an opportunity to complete the CEC’s questionnaire that was based predominately upon the Tahoe Future A South Shore Community Vision 2020 document. This document was adopted by the Tahoe Chamber board of directors in 2013 as a policy statement that guides the organization’s support of initiatives and candidates. Not all candidates chose to complete the questionnaire, although some provided other written materials they thought might be helpful to the CEC.
Whether seeking an endorsement or not all candidates were evaluated and scored as to their alignment with the Tahoe Future document. [LTN note: This is not true. This is from B Gorman to Kenny Curtzwiler: “The CEC apparently did not score you when they scored Sue.”] However, only those seeking an endorsement were eligible. Therefore, the committee considered Wendy David, Brooke Laine, Matt Palacio and Angela Swanson for possible City Council endorsement.
For more details on the process and a copy of the questionnaire, please visit the Endorsements page on Tahoe Chamber’s website.
B Gorman, CEO Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce
Oh please B, Everybody that gets their info from other than rush and foxnuz knows what a pathetic ALEC and Koch bros. right wingnut organization you and the vast majority of chambers are. You get paid to funnel all the money to be made at So. Shore to several Douglas Co. entities that could care less about local workers or their families. http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000019798
When is the South Shore Chamber and Tahoe4Tahoe going to give us their endorsements?
I am sorry South Tahoe Chamber. CA side
An endorsement from B and the Chamber = A guarantee I wont vote for that candidate. Good for the individuals that recognized this farce from the beginning and refused to participate.
Kevin Murphy and Paul L, Please don’t hold back on your views of chamber endorsements for political candidates! Both of you are spot on!!! OLS
The Nevada-based Chamber, housed at Stateline and funded largely by Nevada casinos, endorsed several candidates for the California-side election. Is that Chamber interested in promoting candidates who will best represent the residents of South Lake Tahoe, or candidates who support the Nevada businesses that pay their bills?
Like others, I cast a skeptical eye on those endorsements. Let’s see who is endorsed by the other Chamber of Commerce, the one based in South Lake Tahoe.
City resident do you have numbers that show that most of the funds for the chamber come from Harrahs and Monte Bleu? If so I would love to see them. Personally i think anyone that votes for or against someone because the are endorsed or not endorced by any group is being lazy with their vote and are not being serious about picking what they believe is best for the city. There may be some great leaders being discounted because they are endorsed by a group. They may believe in recreation, business development, and good stewardship of the enviroment.
do your own investigation of each canidate and vote that way not because they were or were not endorsed by any particular group, ddon’t be sheep.
And people in this town wonder why it is divided and stuck? Pretty petty comments.
What a mess! B may have started out trying to do what is best for her members but I have to think that the Chamber members might now think that B is more of a liability than a asset. The backpedaling, constant explaining, omission of Curtzwiler in the endorsement process though she again states she included everyone, and on and on. The woman is in denial.
I have to think as word spreads amongst the community, whomever the Chamber endorsed now has a very heavy weight around their neck. Right or wrong, I think that’s the way it will be. Curtzwiler, Davis, Laine, Sass and Grego…she did you all a favor.
Hope everyone actually gets out to vote. Otherwise all this dialogue is just so much hot air.
I agree with reloman that voters need to do their own investigation of each candidate and that they should not be lazy with their vote and vote for or against someone strictly because that individual is or is not endorsed by a specific group. I don’t hold out much hope of that happening though. It takes times and effort to become informed and it’s just so much easier to be a sheep and then all the sheep people can stand around and agree with each other.
I’d also like to see the numbers that show that most of the funds for the Tahoechamber.org come from Harrah’s and Monte Bleu. Something tangible, and not just “well everyone knows that”.
Spouse – 4-mer-usmc
it is nice to see that the Step Child is waking up and starting to see how things are done.
OL Betty I don’t think anybody trusts you, except Larry,Moe and Currly the people who sign your paycheck.
If you as a candidate are not for the loop road or the ferry or eminent domain your not Tahoe Chambers guy. The step child is wide awake. Why don’t they help pay for the airport? Just asking.
I would like to start by saying that this is my personal opinion, and although I am a staff member, I am in no way speaking on behalf of the Tahoe Chamber.
Chambers of Commerce are very much encouraged to be involved in the political arena: to vet candidates and ballot measures, to endorse candidates and ballot measures, and present these findings to the general membership, who elects a board annually to represent it. The Tahoe Vision 2020 document, which has guided the Government Affairs Committee and the Candidates Endorsement Committee won a Core Competency award from the Western Association of Chamber Executives, which has a membership of over 400 Chambers. Only 6 of these awards are given out each year. In the past two years, Tahoe Chamber has received 3 of these prestigious awards. The Tahoe Chamber membership should be extremely proud of how its Chamber is working for our community. These awards are a direct reflection of the leadership B Gorman provides.
As an aside, I strongly feel that those who persist in the California versus Nevada division should look at how our community is laid out. The membership of the Tahoe Chamber is comprised of about 65% California members with the remaining membership from Nevada. This is very representative of our community as a whole. The California side of the South Shore would be hard pressed to succeed economically if the Nevada side fails and vice versa. Petty comments over where the Chamber office is actually located does not benefit our community. If anyone has questions regarding who our “highest paying” members are, they can visit http://tahoechamber.org/pages/ChairmansCircle/. This page highlights the largest contributors of our membership. Without their support, it would be challenging to run all the training programs, workshops and forums that directly support small businesses.
Wow…Kevin, Paul, OLS, Chief,
Your ignorant, deprecating comments and personal attacks on the Chamber & Ms. Gorman reflect your absolute immature understanding of elections, endorsements and the political process. Its about time the business community started to play a role in the politics of the South Shore so we can identify candidates who understand basic economics, employment, living wages and the importance of funding infrastructure for our residents & businesses.
Enjoy waiting for the “other chambers” information. There is and only really ever has been one Chamber the TahoeChamber. My experience with the other organization is that it is more of a therapy group for old angry white men who like conspiracies and are represented at public meetings by incompetent former city managers.
Also get your facts straight. TahoeChamber can’t be the NV Chamber is the NV when over 60% of its members are in CA including one of the biggest employers in the City (Barton).
Note to LTN…I looked it up, Kenny was scored (http://www.tahoechamber.org/files/1591.pdf) and as any informed voter would suspect he scored very low. Not because he didn’t seek an endorsement, as your note above intimates, but because his platform reflects a poor understanding of the issues. Kenny has done a lot for the community and I commend him for that but we need a Supervisor who thoroughly understands the needs of the business community as well as our residents while representing the Southshore in Placerville.
Business voter:
Your intellect and remarks have given me hope. Those who continue to advocate the separation of the CA and NV South Shore area are uninformed and shortsighted. It cannot be the mindset of “us versus them” because the South Shore is wholly interconnected economically. We can limp along separately or we can work together to succeed and prosper.
I live in SLT, CA but I’m employed at Stateline, NV. In addition to seeing the South Shore, CA businesses succeed I also want to see the South Shore, NV businesses succeed since they employ so many CA residents.
United we stand, divided we fall.
OH PLEASE “Business Voter” …….. !!
Give us a break from all this new “prosperity” and “sustainability” preaching.
We know your Chamber has strong affiliations and collaborations with local agencies and special interests who aren’t interested in anything other than lining their own pockets.
So cease the arrogance and belittling of those of us who want to maintain the quality of lifestyle we moved here for.
And BTW ……. that “other Chamber” you mentioned – One of their members offered many hours of his time attempting to help us not get plowed under with the Meyers Area Plan.
What did you do to help ?
Nothing !
“We know your Chamber has strong affiliations and collaborations with local agencies and special interests who aren’t interested in anything other than lining their own pockets.”
Name one.
Here’s a starter list right off their website…
Here is a partial list of our partners and resources:
Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
North Lake Tahoe Resort Association & CVB
North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce
South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association
South Tahoe Association of Realtors
Tahoe Prosperity Center
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Cal Chamber
Western Association of Chamber Executives
back in 02 old Upton and Lovel were picked so they could rubber stamp the Convention center.
what a fiasco that has turned out to be.
Toxic Warrior:
Your list of organizations that you say are only interested in lining their own pockets is most interesting. You’ve stated that you want to maintain the quality of lifestyle you moved here for, so would you please share your vision of what you want for our community that would make it successful?
Also, you directed Business voter to “Give US a break…”, and “WE know your Chamber has strong affiliations…”, and “…cease the arrogance and belittling of those of US….” Would you please share who “US” and “WE” are since you’ve alluded to a very large division of opinions.
Thank you.
Slowroller:
2002 was 12-years ago. How exactly were Upton and Lovell “picked”? Who did the “picking”? How did they get into office if they weren’t elected by a majority of voters? Are you saying there was voter fraud?
Please elaborate on your accusation.
Sarge it’s everybody in town who does not roll over and look the other way
nothing has changed now it is the same as it was years ago you get picked to be on the Council.
that’s how it is around here
Slowroller:
Your explanation doesn’t provide much clarification. Are you saying that you were in the minority or are you saying there was voter fraud?
4-Mer,
It might make it much easier for you to see the big picture by taking a look at who’s on that Chamber Board
http://www.tahoechamber.org/pages/ChamberBoard/
Now USMC please be honest with yourself, are these the kind of people who tirelessly devote their time selflessly for the better of our community ?
Try to be honest with an answer.
To answer your question “We” are people who are getting fed up with all this new agency/organization collaboration network making decisions for “our” future behind closed doors and in the name of “Prosperity and Sustainability”
Toxic Warrior:
You didn’t share your vision of what you want for our community that would make it successful. I’d still like to hear what that is so I know what direction you and your like-minded friends/colleagues would take our community. I know what “they” say they want and how “they” say they’d do it, but I still don’t know what “you” want or how you’d do it. Without all the information one cannot make an informed choice about any “picture” as you referred to, large or small.
Thank you.
4-Mer
I have answered two of your questions and you have not reciprocated ….
Toxic Warrior:
I only asked you two questions: 1) What your vision was of what you want for our community that would make it successful, and 2) Who “US” and “WE” are. You answered the US and WE question and said it was the “fed up”, but you didn’t explain what it was that you and your “fed-up” group actually want for our community or how you’d go about making that happen.
Like I said, I already know what “they” want because “they” openly state what that is; but I still don’t know what “you” and your “fed-up” group want because you haven’t identified that.
You directed me to a website and asked me if “these are the kind of people who tirelessly devote their time selflessly for the better of our community?” I don’t have that answer right now, but I also don’t have any information to gauge whether the “fed-up” people are any better. Looking at that website didn’t tell me anything about the “fed up” people’s ideas and suggestions.
Toxic, I know at least 7 of those people on the board(the others Idon’t know well) that appear to want Tahoe to prosper and are good and honest people. SomeI must assume have joined for business contacts but that is what chambers are for. Please tell us what your vision is and how you would get it implemented. There is a saying, if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.
So many wild conspiracies in these comments. Back alley meetings, people getting paid off. South Lake Tahoe and all the community base organizations and non-profits are actually funneling money to the Koch brothers!. Such intrigue and espionage ….No wait it’s not.
When I read the article about all the grow houses I didn’t realize how big of an issue it is. Clearly you conspiracy theorists need to cut back on the cannabis.
Brilliant Toxic…it’s great to see that you and your merry band of Nayser’s are working so tireously on the communities behalf to make sure we don’t get “plowed under” and to “maintain the quality of lifestyle we moved here for”.
Have you come out of your house in the last decade? If a quality lifestyle includes neighborhoods surrounded by abandoned gas stations and rundown 50’s style hotels and the economic engine driving that quality lifestyle is alpaca rug shops, thrift stores, collectives, grow houses and pharmacies then you’ve nailed it…nice work! That definitely sounds like a plan that will attract new businesses, tourists and investors to our community!
Bravo…while other destination towns are moving forward with progressive visions and plans that include “prosperity” and “sustainability” your attitude, and the vocal minority like you, are exactly why our communities progress is constantly mired by adolescent bickering! Really, your going to call out the Chamber Board on a blog? My guess is you don’t know any of them and given your absolute elementary understanding of politics, economics, business and community engagement you might want to do some more investigation before you blast a group of people who volunteer an incredible amount of time to better our community!
On that note, a little economics 101…tourists, businesses and investors with capital have a choice and if we, the south shore, don’t give them a solid reason to visit and invest here they will go somewhere else. No money in means no money to fund schools, infrastructure and support our local businesses. Might want to investigate this concept a bit before you respond to 4-mer’s question. Instead of always defaulting to the lame old adage that “the Man” is keeping you down, try for once to have an informed well thought out position that is not based on a conspiracy or the sky is falling notion!
Toxic…your call name describes your attitude perfectly!
4-mer, nice work, keep pushing the Nayser’s to actually provide a coherent answer.
Business Voter,
Adolescent bickering ? You should read your rant above and ask yourself …… is that not adolescent bickering ?
For you – 4-Mer because you’ve restrained:
Happy to say I have been quite involved in local politics and know all the players ( including some of your Chamber members and alliances )
You could say I’ve been out of my house and fully submersed in it as well.
I too want to see this community excel economically but not with “more of the same” as Business Voter’s group wants, more cheap commercial, more cheap tourist attractions, more cheap accommodations, more corporate developments that don’t benefit local economy.
We’ve had enough of those who prey on Tahoe in the name of environmental protection and prosperity to make a quick buck.( including local gov agencies)
Tahoe is such a unique and beautiful place that it deserves future planning and development that thinks outside the box. We need to invite a different class of tourism that pays more.
We need to explore other revenue generators that aren’t purely tourist based and that do not simply bring more throngs of cheap tourism, congestion, infrastructure and pollution. Do I have the answer to that one – no I don’t.
We need to think long and hard of what new ideas would both provide revenue for community services and more importantly jobs for locals other than desk clerks. Yup, last but not least we need to genuinely protect the lake and environment and not use it as a pawn for quick money.
Anyone pleased with anything said here ?
Business voter and Toxic Warrior:
Sounds like all three of us want the same thing for this community but the method of achieving that is what’s at issue. But there is a segment of the local population that would like everything to be just as it was 20-30-40 years ago, and that isn’t possible. The affluence of that time when gaming brought so much money in to this community is long gone. Time moved forward, nothing stayed the same, and new approaches and adjustments must be made if we don’t want our downward economic spiral to continue. We’re all going to need to work together and make compromises if we are to make our community a success, otherwise we’ll be no better than our federally elected officials who are so rooted in their “it’s my way or no way” attitude that nothing will be accomplished.
I think it would be beneficial if everyone used their real names on this blog. This would really lend to the transparency of this conversation and possibly elevate the discussion in helping this community move forward.
Toxic: I can definitely tell you that the Chamber Board is not working towards more “cheap tourist attractions” and “cheap accommodations.” It seems you actually agree with a lot of things the Chamber is attempting to accomplish. Our board meetings are open to the public; have you attended any? Have you researched how the Tahoe Prosperity Center is working on broadband to hopefully allow more home based businesses to relocate to Tahoe? This is a serious out of the box revenue driver that would benefit our community. It seems that you might not understand what the Chamber’s priorities are and the priorities of the “partners and resources” that the Chamber works with. I encourage you to engage with these resources and have an open and honest discussion with those involved. I think you might find that we are on the same page.