On Inauguration Day, the Chamber Director was invited by Mayor Christenson to co-host an MATV show interviewing City officials.
From left to right, Chamber Director Ted Coates, Mayor Christenson and Ward 5 City Councilor Barbara Murphy.
Inauguration Day-2012
Business Leaders Meet the Candidates for City Council
At the Chamber of Commerce’s first ever “Meet the Candidates” forum, the business community got a chance to hear from the Candidates for City Council last month. Equally important, the Candidates got a chance to listen to the concerns of business leaders.
Candidates were all seated at tables in the hall at the Irish American Club where they shared breakfast and ideas. The program allowed each candidate two minutes to introduce themselves and to answer the question: “What is the role of the City in promoting business in Malden?” There was much talk about taxes, especially the Local Meals Tax enacted last year by the City of Malden. Several of the Candidates praised the Malden Restaurant Owner/Operators Association [MROA] for promoting Malden as a dining destination. Many noted their own backgrounds in the business world.
Photo courtesy of Malden Access TV. Check their listings to see the full event video.
Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy Addresses Attendees
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Like most local Chambers, the Malden Chamber of Commerce has no affiliation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Our revenue is derived entirely from membership dues and fees from membership events. We receive no government or external funding.
Our mission tasks us to be “nonpartisan and nonsectarian”. While we will strongly advocate in the interests of our members, that advocacy is limited to issues not parties or personalities.
E.D.’s Corner……..Vote
E.D.’s Corner……..Vote
November is not only the time for political elections, it is also time for Chamber Board elections. One of the flyers in this Newsletter is a Ballot for the 2011 Board. Four of our sitting Board members are running for re-election, and the Nominations Committee has proposed two new members to fill out the Board. Patty Kelly of Housing Families has already served on two Board committees, and is a tireless worker. Lisa O’Loughlin of Intercity Home Care is a former member of the Medford Chamber Board of Directors, and has assisted me in planning for our 2011 Directory. I strongly recommend both of these candidates as well as our returning Board members.
While we are on the subject, I want to note that the Chamber’s charter calls for us to be nonpartisan. You will find a disclaimer on our website stating that we are not affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber’s decision to enter partisan politics departs from the traditional role of most chambers. While it is totally appropriate for chambers to advocate on issues impacting their members, Chambers do not take sides in a partisan manner.
This fall, the Chamber took a position on an issue before the City Council, the Local Meals Tax Option. Please seethe article in the November-December 2010 Newsletter for more information on this important issue.
Ted
