Politics: Chamber’s Use of a Historical Site Raises Questions About Possible Conflict of Interest

At the mention of the name Chamber of Commerce, one automatically thinks of an organization whose purpose is to bring business and tax revenue into the city. If you live in Monterey Park, the roles are reversed. City tax revenues flow in huge amounts into the chamber’s coffers with no discernible or checkable benefit to the General Fund.

At the Dec. 31 meeting, El Encanto was on the agenda after a lengthy executive session. El Encanto, a “historical site,” was bought by the city in 1980 for $250,000. The building was badly run down and the city, in its infinite wisdom, began renovation to make the building safe and available for civic use. The cost of renovation is $500,000 for a total investment of $750,000 of our tax dollars.

Some of the renovated El Encanto rooms are not large enough for commission meetings and the facility has literally no parking available. Once again, the chamber is “Johnny on the spot” with a letter requesting the right to headquarter themselves and to manage the El Encanto, thereby controlling who may use the facility. Without asking for further bids, community input, rent, fees or possible Parks and Recreation management, the council approved the request. So, once again tax dollars flow to the chamber without proof of viability or a cent in return.

Two council members, Mayor Marie Purvis and Councilman Fred Balderamma, were on the chamber’s board of directors when the $70,000 giveaway was approved. It should also be noted that our city manager, Chris Jeffers, sits on the chamber’s board and other managers have active roles in the chamber. One cannot distinguish between the city and the chamber, which brings into question legal and moral conflicts of interest.

IRV and RUTH WILLNER

Monterey Park