The Elusive and very Political Chamber of Commerce

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Talk about a divisive group...we all know about the Chamber of Commerce. Just about every sizeable city seems to have one. Last year the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent $91 million on lobbying for its political agenda and according to lobby tracker Opensecrets, it has spent more than twice as much on lobbying during the past 12 years than any other corporation or group. It survives financially on the dues and support of its members, which are most of America's major corporations listed on the stock exchange. Here locally, the Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce has over 500 members.

On Tuesday night, The Chamber of Commerce’s contract was on the Agenda. The Commission was asking for four things:

• A profit and Loss Statement on past Chamber events

• Re-evaluate the special events program

• Discussion on the City’s In-Kind contribution

• Identifying any changes in the terms or conditions of the agreement for 2011.

The Chamber's CEO, Tom Ramiccio, was sitting in the front row along with activist, Mary Lindsey and Patrick Parrish, Editor of The Lake Worth Herald, a Chamber member. Beside him was one of the Chamber’s Directors, Roger Manning. Tom has always said that the Chamber is NOT political. I really wish that he would retract that statement and then I could stop bringing it up.

Suzanne Mulvehill called for Tom Ramiccio’s resignation. Jo-Ann hit him hard on just about everything, even his license plate,
and said that she was opposed to continuing the present relationship. Cara Jennings said that the Chamber was important to the City and that she was not for terminating the Chamber but that the Contract had to be explicit. Scott Maxwell said that we had “to stop breaking contracts” and didn’t like things turning “personal.” I agree with the "personal" part of his statement. I don't however, believe that any of this was personal and we certainly have the right to renegotiate contracts if it is in the best interest of our city. Rene asked the question, “Do we want to continue the relationship or do we want to end it?”

The Commission will put all its concerns in writing to the City Manager for a future Commission Meeting.

What is Tom's job worth? Is it more than $200,000 a year? Here is what little I know about Tom and his compensation as told to me by a former Director in passing conversation:

*Annual salary: $72,000. According to Simply Hired, the average Chamber CEO position pays $54,000.

*20% of all dues. If you take the absolute lowest dues fee of $250.00 a year times approximately 514 members, you arrive at a total of $141,350.00 for the year in membership fees. Please remember, this is on the extreme low side of the scenario. This would amount to over $24,000 to Tom.

*17% on all Fund Raisers (Special Events). Now we know that there is Evening on the Avenues which is twice a month (but Tom shut that down because he couldn't get any money from the CRA) , Street Painting Festival, Reggae Fest, Tropical Triathlon, Golf Tournament and Hispanic Fest. No one knows what the Chamber makes on these events other than perhaps, Tom.

*Next, there is a monthly membership breakfast

*Monthly networking luncheon

*Medical? Dental?

*Life Insurance? Retirement?

*Car?

*Other?

Of course, most of this is just an estimate because no one can get a line item on any Chamber expense. This is not to imply that Tom is or is not worth his compensation package but it is only raised with the idea of transparency, something for which the U.S. Chamber of Commerce basically agrees, just not for CEO's. Here in Lake Worth, nothing seems to be too open or transparent with our Chamber.

Although individual Chamber missions vary, one thing that we do know is that the Chamber of Commerce is the most influential and powerful not-for-profit political lobbying group in the State of Florida and in the country as a whole. Some of our local taxes go to support the Chamber and its functions and therefore the local Chamber should stay out of local politics.