Frank Elias III was removed Tuesday as the president of the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce.Of course there is much more that is not reported in the OD. This past Friday, Mr. Elias e-mailed fellow C of C Board members and Ex-Officio members to protest the manner in which a nomination was placed before the Board -- apparently in a surprise move engineered by insiders in the organization and sprung without notice upon other members.
Attached to the e-mail was a document "Fellow Board Members.doc" which is reproduced in the PDF document at left. The Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce has long been perceived as a non-transparent regional "good old boys" network that caters to the area elite and is uncooperative with peer organizations. Mr. Elias' missive confirms it as such.
This blog has long been critical of the MV C of C . . . especially with its use of the "Mohawk Valley" moniker when "Greater Utica" is the accurate -- and more precise -- description of the market it serves. . .
The "regional" trappings adopted by the C of C appear to be nothing more than a subterfuge to serve the interests of particular powerful members.
Too bad . . .
4 comments:
Who then represents the interests of the businesses within the "Greater Utica" area?
MVC of C seems to be a political organization that is not focused on Utica. Is there a "Utica Chamber of Commerce"?
The core issue is pretty simple. The same few people seek to control evrything around here and do not like it when challanged. And, they certianly could not tolerate an independent Chamber staff head. If one looks at those who run the Chamber Board you see the same od, same olds who also control the political sphere and where government money and favor flows. We have an elite power strucure that is isolated and insulated. That is precisely why our area is as backwards as it is. If one does not rock the boat one is taken care of forever. Look at DiMeo and EDGE. Look at Picente. Could you really find two more mediocre, non performing people?
Finally, the Mohawk Valley label is a joke! How could they be the MV Chamber when we have Chambers all over the place?
Is there any organisation be it political or otherwise in this area that isn't out for their own special interests? It doesn't seem so. The Chamber is a good example. I figured that MR. Elias had stepped on the toes of area power brokers. That'a a no-no here in Dogpatch County.
Me thinks Anonymous is correct. heaven forbid the plantation mentality be questioned or challanged.
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