Letter: Calif.-based chamber fires back
To the community,
Jason [Drew], this is one chamber president to another. My qualifications are 30 years as a board member, past president, accredited chamber exec ACE, past president of the 100 member Superior California Chamber Execs, graduate of the U.S. Chamber five-year institute for organization management, twice nominated for top chamber exec in the Western U.S. by the Western Association of Chamber Execs.
Duane Wallace
I point this out not for bragging, but to show that I know what I’m talking about. In 2000 the idea of chambers taking positions on ballot measures was discussed by the state leadership. The idea of endorsing candidates was strongly cautioned against.
After the merger-takeover in 2006 your chamber became very aggressive toward the California chamber and city politics. We actually received a letter promising to sue us if we didn’t keep having opinions different than your chamber — see First Amendment — yet we didn’t attack you. The actual number of the paid up members was 1,600. That was the number we based the merger upon. Now the number being touted is 600. Why? It could be the arrogant aggressive style adopted.
Who is attacking who? Did California raise tens of thousands of dollars to influence Nevada elections? Did Californians sue Nevadans over ballot measures? Did Facebook take down our Facebook site because it violated the bullying and hate speech policy?
My hope is that you hire a new exec that understands how to work in a small town.
As for California numbers, yes you are 70 percent California, but your PAC shows 70 percent Nevada resident money.
Jason, we locals, built this town while you were in college. We supported and agreed to pay for all the redevelopment. We agreed to half a million dollars transferred in property taxes from LTUSD and STPUD customers to pay the longterm debts. We, too, blindly followed the proponents who had bankruptcies and left us with black holes. We are cautious now. Not idiots or against progress, just experienced. The reason is that we see the same Nevada names on the 44-page 460 form that made us experienced.
I hope to meet with you this year to work on sharing our thoughts. In the mean time raising Nevada funds for slates to attack California candidates will be opposed.
Duane Wallace, South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce president
Douglas County Nevada, down in the ‘valley’ and El Dorado County California have been raiding the coffers of the Lake Tahoe Casino revenues for the past 65 years
Bill Harrah built the airport.
The property that was gifted to be the City Hall of South Lake Tahoe for the people was stolen from the Marjorie Johnson Springmyer family by the City of SLT and they in turn ‘appropriated the airport as their headquarters. Basically inaccessible to the everyday citizen.
Hail Marjorie RIP
Robin Smith:
Think back Robin. Exactly who was it that was serving as City Council Members on the SLT City Council when you say the “City of SLT” stole Marjorie Johnson Springmeyer’s property that was gifted to the people of SLT as the location for a City Hall? It isn’t a single person who is currently in management for the City of SLT government and it isn’t a single person who is currently employed by the City. It was the people who were the Council Members when that happened along with their crony friends, all of whom were running SLT at that time. The very people who lay claim to their longevity in this town and like to take all the credit for building the town; who expect special favoritism in their business dealings with the City; people who want the rules bent for themselves or for their friends because that’s how things were done “way back then;” and those who constantly criticize anyone else with a different opinion because they’ve not lived in SLT as long as the old-timers have or because they’re younger.
You’re angry at the wrong people Robin. It isn’t the newcomers or the younger people who committed the horrible wrongdoings against Marjorie Springmeyer: it’s the people who ran things “back in the good old days,” when they could get away with things like stealing Marjorie Springmeyer’s gift of land to the people of SLT and with cronyism to take care of the people that they liked.
N0t angry…believes in KARMA:)
Painfully matter of fact perhaps, rude never.
Duane, I’m very confused by all of this language and rhetoric… And quite honestly, the point of it all.
First – in his open letter, Jason Drew was responding to Mr. Grego and the divisive language he was using regarding Nevada vs. California. No where in his letter did he mention the South Tahoe Chamber. Mr. Grego’s language was inflammatory and the Tahoe Chamber needed to point out all of the inaccuracies apparent in Mr. Grego’s letter regarding the Chamber’s positions and how it supports the community, regardless of the state line.
Second – Yes, 16 years ago, many chambers were still focused on networking events as their primary reasons for being. I attended the Western Association Chamber Executives annual meeting 3 times and went through 2 years of their academy. By 2011 – the need for Chambers to represent their small businesses to government was rated as the most important activity a chamber should be involved in. In fact, the Tahoe Future 20/20 won awards with WACE for best programming of a Chamber. Tahoe Chamber also won for Sample the Sierra and other awards, but I don’t want to brag either. I will also say that our previous CEO – B Gorman was also nominated for Chamber Executive of the year. Again, not bragging, but want to demonstrate that I know what I’m talking about.
Third – I was a staff member of the chamber when there was a cease and desist letter served to the South Tahoe Chamber. This was due to the fact that your chamber, the South Tahoe Chamber, was taking credit for all the South Lake Tahoe Chamber’s accomplishments. Again – two entities merged in to one: The Tahoe Douglas Chamber and the South Lake Tahoe Chamber. This was both boards agreeing with a majority of both boards that it was necessary to truly move the community forward. Members of that original board were definitely not happy to see their accomplishments being touted by a new entity -though some of the players were the same, the entity was not.
Fourth – I have no idea what you are talking about having a Facebook page shut down. In the three years I worked at the chamber and the two years since, I have never heard about the Tahoe Chamber’s facebook page being shut down. This seems a wee bit misleading..
Fifth – I am a member of the Tahoe Chamber IEC. I work for the Hard Rock Hotel. I have also been a City resident for most of my time in Tahoe. I’m not sure if 20 years counts as a local in your book, but it is the place I call home. Mr. Drew also lives on the California side for a majority of his time here (I think somewhere around the 17 year mark), He now lives in the county – so I’m not sure if you feel county residents should have a voice in these elections. Bottom line is I love this community. I would not do anything to harm any part of our economy, community or region. Any indication that I would is personally hurtful.
And finally – once again, the only thing that benefits Stateline, Nevada business is a very healthy South Lake Tahoe economy and community. Yes – Nevada has a stake in the success of California. End of story..
Well said. We are so lucky to have you, Jason Collin and Jason Drew as residents of our community. I have had the opportunity to work with each of you and it has been an honor.
Dear Shannon: My article dated November 2, 2016, entitled “PAC spends $60,000 on Collin and Laine” merely reported the information obtained at the candidate forum and from available FPPC filings. The support by the Nevada-based Chambers PAC of two candidates for Council, the reaction by Brook Laine in being slated with Jason Collin, and the moneys spent to oppose Measure T were discussed at the forum. You might not like what was said, but instead of addressing the issues and the moneys being spent on local elections, your only response is to attempt to attack my character and claim that I used divisive and inflammatory language. Your group, no matter how you wish to describe it, has committed to defeat Measure T and support candidates that reflect your Group’s positions. I disagree with your view and if you don’t like my view, then respond with substantive arguments, and let the public decide. All too often in this Country, we find groups, such as yours, that are unable to respond to an argument, so, as a substitute, they attack the person making the argument. Is that the best you can do? I have the right, as you have, to support or oppose any issue that affect the future of our community and the future of our Country. When you attempt to reduce the discussions to the character of your opponent, you create the divisiveness where no resolution is found, and polarization occurs.
Bruce – I do feel that the Nevada vs California rhetoric is divisive and inflammatory. Our community straddles a stateline, and to move forward, it is essential to acknowledge that fact. Any marginalization of a community is hurtful and not productive. When you marginalize 30 – 40% of the population of our community, stating that Nevada interests are harmful, it is inflammatory. I am not responding as a “group,” but responding as an individual who loves living in Tahoe, with all its quirks and its wonderful people. All I want is the best for our community and our economy. That is where my argument ends. I think more in person conversations would be beneficial, as I’m not sure how this is attacking your character.
Kae – if possible, can you share my personal email with Bruce? Bruce, let’s grab a coffee to talk more.
And Joy – I truly enjoyed serving on the planning commission with you, learning from you, and am looking forward to spending more time on the dance floor with you at future community events!
Coffee and dancing, sounds friendly enough.
Invite the California Hwy Patrol and the Sheriff’s Office to join you, they are the ones that don’t get along.
Are citizens of the ‘community’ still required to purchase a ‘pass’ to drive on California Hwy’s if they live in Nevada two miles away from their work in California and have to cross ‘the line’ to get there?