Ouch...

San Dimas Chamber of Commerce executives put the *smackdown* on an appeals request filed by Chalet Gourmet owner Sid Maksoudian, whose application for entry into the chamber was denied a few weeks back.

In it, chamber President Ted Powl discusses --- rather bluntly --- the reasons why Maksoudian isn't welcome:

Mr. Maksoudian,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce, below is our reply to your requests:

1. There is no appeal process for denial of membership in the bylaws of the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce.

2. The name of any law firm or attorney the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce chooses to engage in any legal matter involving the Chamber is not public information.

3. Whether Chalet Gourmet is the first or only business to be turned down for membership by the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce is irrelevant to the action taken by the Board of Directors in denying your membership.

4. As to the reason for your denial, the bylaws of the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce bylaws state in Article II (Membership), Section 1: Eligibility

"Any person, association, corporation, partnership or estate having an interest in promoting the mission and objectives of the Chamber shall be eligible to apply for membership."

Given Mr. Maksoudian's quest to stop the Chamber of Commerce's Toast of the Town event for the past two years, his derisive comments about some of our Directors and our President/CEO at various City Council meetings, the actions he took with Albertsons that resulted in the Chamber of Commerce's incoming Board Chair, Mike Light, to resign from our Board and his vendetta (his word) against Director Heidi Daniels and the San Dimas Wine Shop and Tasting Room, the Board of Directors of the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce believes that Mr. Maksoudian does not meet the criteria of a businessman who has "an interest in promoting the mission and objectives of the Chamber".

Membership in the San Dimas Chamber of Commerce, as in any chamber of commerce, is a privilege, not a right. That is why there is a provision in their bylaws for the Board of Directors to approve members.

Ted Powl
President/CEO
San Dimas Chamber of Commerce