Like a lot of Bend businesses, we belong to the local chamber of commerce – you know the one “The Bend Chamber of Commerce, Make You A Promise… We’re Taking Care of Business… Yeah, We’re Taking Care of…” But we digress. And like a lot of businesses, we often find ourselves scratching our heads at the positions that the chamber takes – remember the equal rights ordinance?
So we were relieved when the chamber with its unabashedly pro-growth agenda got out of the business of endorsing local candidates. Unfortunately, since that time though the chamber has been outsourcing its politics to its political action arm, the Bend Business PAC, which has long looked like nothing more than a front for the conservative chamber board. When we got our most recent bill this week it confirmed just how little the chamber distinguishes itself from its ostensibly independent PAC.The statement included a line item for a “voluntary” $50 donation to the Bend Business PAC. What we’d like to know is: who volunteered us? WTF
This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2010.
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Was it stating some your funds payed to the Bend Chamber were “donated” to the PAC,or asking for a $50 donation in addition to your dues?
I quit my membership with the Chamber when I came to realize that the best thing they did for me was invite me to a party once a month that I & my husband could go to and eat and drink for free. We got very little support when we were doing battle with the City trying to open a new store. They say they’re trying to create jobs, but with stores & restaurants closing left and right, I’d say they’d have to make a pretty big effort. The Chamber’s time would be way better spent helping small businesses survive (thrive?) in Central Oregon and stay out of politics!
I’ve been a paying member of the The Bend Chamber of Commerce for 6 years and I still could not tell you what they do for me. The social mixers are a nice gesture, but it’s the same people every month. after reading their Chairman’s message about privatizing city services, i will not be renewing my membership. it’s unfortunate that the Bend Chamber’s purpose has been derailed by partisan nonsense. it’s us local business owners who are the real losers in the situation.