Disagreement and the Chamber Board Members

In response to Josh Meyer’s article “For Chamber Head, a Turbulent Ride” (Times, April 16,), as a longtime director and last year’s vice chairman, I feel compelled to set the record straight.

Meyer reported that the recent departures of Directors Craig Darian and Marshall Caskey were characterized by some board members as “the sour grapes of those who fell out of favor with the chamber leadership. In Darian’s case, they said, the board itself decided not to renew his appointment.”

That was not the case. I intended to nominate Darian for a new term as director.

However, he emphatically told me that he would not accept the nomination until the organization abides by its bylaws, adheres to an open process and gets back to the business of serving the Hollywood business community.

Many other directors urged Darian to stay on as well. The retreat of Darian was a severe blow to the chamber for many reasons including the unreported fact that he had been the initial lone voice in support of retaining the (Hollywood) trademarks as well as being the one who brought Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher to represent us in the settlement of the state lawsuit.

In Caskey’s case, his remark that our leadership confused “legitimate dissent with disloyalty to the organization” rings true to many on our board.

Darian and Caskey will both be missed.

JOHN E. FERRIS

Hollywood