Chamber accused of not following its bylaws

by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

Members of the Onaway City Commission are pressuring the Onaway Chamber of Commerce to produce copies of its budget, financial report, as well as a list of dues paying members and chamber directors or their lease will not be renewed.  The city is requesting the information by March. The chamber office is located in space on the first floor of the courthouse.

Onaway city manager Joe Hefele sent a letter to chamber president Connie Gibson Nov. 22 requesting the information. The city is also discussing leases with the Presque Isle District Library and the Onaway Historical Museum; however, some city commissioners have concerns about the operation of the chamber and want the organization to “follow its bylaws,” Hefele stated in his manager’s report.

“When we set up the lease, the idea was that the city and the chamber would be partners working on things,” said Hefele. “It seemed to make a lot of sense. You see that in communities all over the place. For a while it really did work well. I don’t know that it is working out quite as well anymore.”

Commissioner Bernie Schmeltzer outlined several chamber bylaws he believes have been violated. He cited several articles, including Article 3, which is “limitation of methods.” It states that the chamber shall not lend its influence or facilities for the election or appointment of any candidate for office.

“That was violated during this recent recall when chamber property was used to advertise a townhall meeting for the group,” said Schmeltzer, who faces recall in May. He also said the chamber cancelled the last two annual meetings and has not elected officers.

Schmeltzer asked, “Is the chamber a legally functioning board? They have not been following their own bylaws and having the meetings, and having the election of their officers. I don’t know?”

Judy Shaloy asked to address to the commission, and received permission from mayor Gary Wregglesworth, but he told her he did not want to get involved in any public debate.

Shaloy, who spearheaded early petition efforts to recall members of the city commission and is a current chamber director, asked, “Why do you assume that we are non existent? We hold meetings; we held meetings; and we are having an annual meeting the 16th, to hold elections. Why is it all of a sudden, you have decided that the chamber has fallen apart? When it has not.” Hefele responded, “That’s the reason I sent the letter out. I don’t know who is on the board anymore, I know there have been resignations.”

“And why does that concern the city?” Shaloy continued. “It is fine to know who is on the chamber board, but you don’t need to know how much money we have and what we did.”

According to chamber news published in this week’s edition, the board consists of: Connie Gibson as president; Rosalie Rose, vice president; Marcia Pauly, secretary; James Gibson, treasurer; Pastor Kamron Oberlin, director; Dawn Thompson, director; Clayton Campbell, director; Lonnie Lenox, director; and Shaloy, director.

James Gibson spoke earlier in the meeting on behalf of the chamber and asked if the same requests were being made of the library and museum. He also said the Nov. 22 letter was sent personally to Connie Gibson and that’s why there was no response.

Commissioner Roger Marsh said he realizes that there is a strained relationship between the leadership of the chamber and the city and is concerned that a threat to not renew the lease would be perceived as a “vindictive effort by the city.” He would like both parties to get together and “extend that olive branch…and do what we are here for….If you can’t find mutual ground, then everyone can walk away with clean hands.” Before the vo

te, commissioner Chuck Abshagen said, “The function I see in a chamber of commerce in any community, state level, or whatever it might be is to promote the city or state. I don’t see that in the current chamber. If I don’t see a change between now and the end of March then I will vote to not renew their lease.”

In other business Jessie Horrocks and Scott Pauly were reappointed to the Downtown Development Authority and Marilyn Kapp-Moran was appointed to fill a vacancy.  They join Dave Cook, Ryan Howell, Angie Krajniak, Laura Shack, Theresa Splan and mayor Wregglesworth.