Letters to the Editor Chamber needs to support local businesses
For the last six years Kidz with Ice has been applying to get into Camas Days. The reasons are always different as to why the Camas-Washogual Chamber of Commerce and Brent Erickson, its executive director, do not support this small local business.
Kidz with Ice volunteers its time and donates money, equipment and supplies to non-profit organizations that are geared towards helping children and supporting education. They have donated thousands of dollars back to the community, including schools and clubs within the Camas-Washougal community for the past eight years.
Other small businesses in the area are experiencing the same frustrations and refusals by the Chamber, Erickson and Mike Nerland, Chamber president and Camas School District superintendant. For three years they have refused to meet with local vendors to discuss these issues and continue to bring vendors to Camas Days from other areas such as Yakima, Seattle, Bend, Ore., and Battle Ground.
El Rancho Viejo in Camas is experiencing the same refusals followed by untruths and excuses. Last year, El Rancho Viejo was told they could not sell elephant ears and a vendor from Bend was brought in to sell them. This year, they have been told they cannot sell burritos because it takes sales away from a Vancouver vendor who comes in to sell Mexican food.
Brent, Mike and the Chamber need to support their own community and the small town local businesses/vendors who live here, pay their taxes and are involved in supporting their community in Camas.
