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.
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:
*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?
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.
How much has the Lake worth chamber spent to defeat the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment? And yet Tom continues to cry poor.What kind of Chamber president would introduce Rene Varala as the next mayor while the election was still going on? And Tom has the nerve to say that the chamber is not political? The other area chambers laugh at the Lake Worth Chamber. They deserve it.
ReplyDeleteI learned that the Chamber of Commerce gave him a Fund raiser, and on that ground alone should be shut down.No open books?Who paid for that fund raiser?
ReplyDeleteHe should open a political Candidates' Promotion and Fundraiser specialists' Office and pay the ren due us.
He is exceeding his authority and mission. Shut it down now, he is acting NOW .
Which crooks run this town? Not
the Commission or City manager, as Compass drew circles around them with diarhea of the mouth by a greasy looking member,showed this morning. A lease for Senior Center
building "as is" places the burden of rehab up to code on the lessee,Compass. Commissioners who obviously hope to get reelected with votes from that Group, vote to give away our tax money which they have no right to do. They must reach in their own pockets to buy those odiferous votes.
As usual telling it like it is, makes a Citizens Interest activist
unpopular(confrontational is the ugly label given me by all Commissions)corruption, that kept me from getting on any Board)so they can give away Citizens hard earned, not theirs, tax money without Citizens intereference.Bankrupt our City That is how Communists regimes work.They have no shame thinking that all lake Worth Citizens are gullible idiots.
A great many are brilliant business people not crooks.
Dee
Cara's reaction against fellow Commissioners, to the decision to necessary eliminate the Chamber shows that she knows nothing about attracting business with strong P.R. and Publicity machines,not incompetent L.W.Chamber of Commerce record. The continued vacating by merchants of our stores, proves that the Chamber is useless,costing us money,the Commission does not know how much!!!!!
ReplyDeleteShe does not know that strong publicity is an instrument handled only by professionals in the field.
Lake Worth would not have remained in many districts, a slum.
A City cannot function without revenue and give away of its' money and revenue sources,to undeserving but politically important elements, to Commissioners, parasites.
Citizens were promised that home owners facing Foreclosure would receive help from the City . This help,with their paid in tax money was given to Compass, a negligent organization ,which failed to do due-diligence before signing a robbers rate lease, for our 12.000 sq.ft.Senior Center,$85.00 per month.7 cents per square foot.
Their party pad's bringing up to code ,their legal resposibility,
is given OUR $250.000 and goes before our foreclosure facing Citizens with young families,
as Compass is considered an important voting block.
Campaign promises including foreclosure help, proven a big fat LIE.
Dee McNamara
Dixie Highway Mary has been given a title? I have only known her to be loud,vulgar,exceedingly DISHONEST, common.Water seeks its' own level.
ReplyDeleteActivist?with the above manner.
She has been made Pam Lopez's Citizens private lives confidant,only one permitted.
When I offered volunteering at City hall?No one was allowed she lied!Does Pam Lopez run City hall?Own it?Our Budget with Deficit of $1,6 million caused by questionable mismanagement?At one time she decided that Citizens are not allowed to have a voice in meetings and suppressed all Citizens Comments and issues,
by not recording them.Citizens still remember her presumption of a mere employee.A Commissioner directed her to know her place and correct her illegal conduct,or go!
Citizens pay her salary,she eats from, dresses from and lives on.
She owes ALL Citizen paymasters, respect, as they gave her,if she won't ,the door of City Hall is open coming in,
going out.
She is not to opine on the 30 year $63,000,500,000 Bond which the Liars' Commission claims with misleading fliers,stating it will be paid off in 2019,
in 5 years.At maturity in 30 years it will have cost lake Worth tax payers, $131,000,000,-,
while Road repairs last only 12 years, see Flagler Drive!
Then,in 12 years, another $63,500,000,- Bond?
Fellow highest taxpayers,help our fellow taxpayers to VOTE AGAINST THE 30 YEAR, $63,500,000,- BOND.