To the Editor:
Neither my wife nor I are members of the Polk Co. Chamber of commerce. My initial contact with the Polk Chamber: After acquiring The Oaks Bed and Breakfast five years ago I went out on a quest to deliver our brochures.
Of course I stopped by the Chamber of Commerce offices, after all, this is an organization established to promote local commerce. Or so I thought. The volunteer accepted my materials and I was on my way…only to return home to a telephone message from the Chamber office told me because I was not a member, they would not display my materials and that I could come and pick them up, or they would throw them away.
This experience has without a doubt left me with a lingering bad opinion of our local Chamber.
I can’t believe they’re intent to promote local commerce, particularly area inns, has changed — only thing is now Ryan Whitson is dangling a $66,000 carrot in front of their greedy little faces. Should we think they would say no? I’m just not convinced that they – the County Commissioners and the Chamber – have our best interest at hand.
–– Dale Potruski