<div>Bill,</div>
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<div>I've enjoyed the conversation today. A few more comments are interspersed with your remarks.<br>-----------------------------------</div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">D-</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">I am continuing this thread to let you know the history of distrust that I, for one, have with the Chamber. And yes, I understand that you just got here and are hoping to change it. That is why I am bothering to respond.
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<div><font size="2"><strong>Darrell responds:</strong> I'm not hoping to change it, Bill; it has already changed. In a lot of ways your distrust is with an organization that doesn't exist anymore. Our Chamber has had 100% new staff, and many new board members since it was politically "hot" a year or so ago.
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<div><font face="Arial" size="2">The Chamber chose to not admit that the former director resigned under duress and then chose to not respond to the former director's charges. Those decisions were cloaked in that well-worn "can't ever comment on personnel decisions."
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<div><font size="2"><strong>Darrell responds:</strong> There is a reason why that comment is well worn. It is true! If the Chamber were to publicly discuss personnel issues it would be open to a lawsuit. Everyone knows that sometimes new hires just don't work out, for a variety of reasons.
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<div><font face="Arial" size="2">That despite the fact the former director had resigned, had left town, and had made some serious charges about the bias and incompetence of the Chamber board.</font></div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="2"><strong>Darrell responds:</strong> It doesn't matter if the former director moved to Timbuktu. Personnel issues still can't be discussed. </font></div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="2"> I thought then, and believe now, that the Chamber needed to explain its position and decisions. At that point, it was no longer just a issue of personnel, the question had become the open-ness of the Chamber's decision-making.
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<div><font size="2"><strong>Darrell responds:</strong> You are welcome to feel that way. I don't believe getting in a public shouting match with their former, short term director would of been of any benefit to anyone. We are beyond that now.
</font><font size="2">I believe you will be seeing some of these issues addressed in a VERY direct and forthright manner in coming weeks and months. </font></div>
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<div><font face="Arial" size="2">As I noted before, that is just the latest example. And hopefully, the last. </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Good luck</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">BL</font></div>
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<div><font size="2"><strong>Darrell responds:</strong> Thanks, Bill. People will not always agree with what I have to say. But, I want them to know that it will always be the truth as I know it. See you around town!</font>
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