Codyboy1
09-21-2017, 09:56 AM
My name is Marcy Cooper. I am writing to ask for your support. I am part of a progressive group of business owners who are running for seats on the board of directors of the Russian River Chamber of Commerce in Guerneville.
I am very appreciative of the progress made in the last couple of years at the Chamber – things like the remodeled office/visitor welcome center; the hiring of Kimberly Lambert as Chamber Executive Director and what seems like vastly improved online presence organized for all Chamber members. With that said there are still some glaring deficiencies, which must be addressed to make the Chamber more effective:
The first and most important change – the priorities of the Chamber must be guided by business owners. This means we must lessen the influence of “social service” agencies on the board.
I was shocked to learn directly from the Sheriff that Chamber leaders had gone behind the scenes and pressured the Sheriff a few years ago to transfer the Deputy patrolling downtown to another beat – leaving no law enforcement in downtown – and starting a horrible time of vagrants & derelict drunks, drug addicts and the severely mentally ill – congregating and sprawling out on our sidewalks.
During my almost 20 years as a homeowner, a parent with a child in Guerneville School, and having a non profit that serves veterans, I have seen this our downtown escalate in the wrong direction in the last 8 years– our tourist and business customers must step over puking drunks sprawled across the sidewalk – to enter a bar or restaurant or shop on Main Street. Disgraceful. And stupid.
If we business owners continue to allow this in our central shopping district we are enabling people-not helping them; we are giving them a hand out, not a hand up.
The unsheltered encampments are ruining the health of our river-my daughter has had to see men and women defecating and urinating on the river bank and in the river-she is only 12!
In my opinion this was caused by members of the Chamber board with conflicts of interest, not disclosed and contrary to the interests of the business community. This is just one of several similar issues facing the community, and we need the Chamber active on the right side of the issue. We need change.
Here is a list of business owners who understand the need for change. I hope that you will perhaps consider casting your votes for any these candidates:
1 Mark Emmett, Emmett Landscaping
2 Mario Torrigino, Murphy’s Circle Cottages
3 Chuck Ramsey, Small Business Lending Consulting
4 Jordan Lebovich, Russian River Vacation Homes
5 Marcy Cooper, Veterans Village, Inc.
6 Cameron Mills, Dawn Ranch Lodge
7 Larry Boerger, Timberline Restaurant
8 Nance Jones, Molly Consulting
9 Shirley J. Hall, Esanjay Farm
10 Greg Barnes, Betty Spaghetti
11 Raina Zidek, Russian River Veterinary Clinic
12 Christina Pappan, Trio Restaurant
13 Lynette McLean, Highlands Resort
14 Jeff Bridges, R3
Thank you for your consideration.
I am very appreciative of the progress made in the last couple of years at the Chamber – things like the remodeled office/visitor welcome center; the hiring of Kimberly Lambert as Chamber Executive Director and what seems like vastly improved online presence organized for all Chamber members. With that said there are still some glaring deficiencies, which must be addressed to make the Chamber more effective:
The first and most important change – the priorities of the Chamber must be guided by business owners. This means we must lessen the influence of “social service” agencies on the board.
I was shocked to learn directly from the Sheriff that Chamber leaders had gone behind the scenes and pressured the Sheriff a few years ago to transfer the Deputy patrolling downtown to another beat – leaving no law enforcement in downtown – and starting a horrible time of vagrants & derelict drunks, drug addicts and the severely mentally ill – congregating and sprawling out on our sidewalks.
During my almost 20 years as a homeowner, a parent with a child in Guerneville School, and having a non profit that serves veterans, I have seen this our downtown escalate in the wrong direction in the last 8 years– our tourist and business customers must step over puking drunks sprawled across the sidewalk – to enter a bar or restaurant or shop on Main Street. Disgraceful. And stupid.
If we business owners continue to allow this in our central shopping district we are enabling people-not helping them; we are giving them a hand out, not a hand up.
The unsheltered encampments are ruining the health of our river-my daughter has had to see men and women defecating and urinating on the river bank and in the river-she is only 12!
In my opinion this was caused by members of the Chamber board with conflicts of interest, not disclosed and contrary to the interests of the business community. This is just one of several similar issues facing the community, and we need the Chamber active on the right side of the issue. We need change.
Here is a list of business owners who understand the need for change. I hope that you will perhaps consider casting your votes for any these candidates:
1 Mark Emmett, Emmett Landscaping
2 Mario Torrigino, Murphy’s Circle Cottages
3 Chuck Ramsey, Small Business Lending Consulting
4 Jordan Lebovich, Russian River Vacation Homes
5 Marcy Cooper, Veterans Village, Inc.
6 Cameron Mills, Dawn Ranch Lodge
7 Larry Boerger, Timberline Restaurant
8 Nance Jones, Molly Consulting
9 Shirley J. Hall, Esanjay Farm
10 Greg Barnes, Betty Spaghetti
11 Raina Zidek, Russian River Veterinary Clinic
12 Christina Pappan, Trio Restaurant
13 Lynette McLean, Highlands Resort
14 Jeff Bridges, R3
Thank you for your consideration.