In an effort to ease tensions and solidify its relationship between the two entities, National City Mayor Ron Morrison requested in an email to meet with the National City Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors.
Morrison sent a Nov. 7 email addressed to the chamber’s 23-member board of directors about him needing to get involved with the chamber after a slew of political activities by the Chamber of Commerce that Morrison feels could damage the city’s relationship with outside organizations.
During an interview, the mayor declined to state the purpose of why he wanted to hold such a meeting or say what he wished to accomplish because he wanted to keep the dialogue strictly between him and the chamber and not take it to the media.
“I specifically told [the chamber] that I was going to be doing this [meeting] just between them and me, not including the press in on it or bring in other people to deal with this,” he said.
Morrison said he would be available to discuss the content of the meeting after he officially meets with the chamber’s board.
Morrison and Chamber of Commerce Chairman Brian Clapper have yet to schedule a date to meet.
“The mayor requested to meet and all I can say is we look forward to meeting with the mayor and working together with the city and continuing our relationship with working on projects,” said Clapper. “We just want to continue our good working relationship with the city and I’m looking forward to a good 2017.”
Although Morrison declined to comment for the reason of the meeting, his email provides some clarity.
“I have been a strong supporter of the National City Chamber for many decades and have tried to always be actively supportive while not becoming involved in its internal business,” the email states. “I am writing to express my concern regarding negative matters that are again circulating in our city through the region via print, word of mouth and social media.”
Morrison said in an interview that the negative matters he was referring to was partly, but not entirely, about allegations made by a storeowner against Councilman Jerry Cano, who she alleges solicited campaign contributions for his reelection to he council in exchange for his help in obtaining an alcohol license. The storeowner, Susana Maza, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Morrison endorsed Cano over five other candidates.
The email further states: “It is now very troubling how ‘allegations’ that are politically centered are being made at election time and more and more it seems to be pointing back to the chamber and a staff member.”
Again, Morrison said, these allegations are about the Cano situation, and did not mention whom the staff member is that he is referring to, but when asked if the staff member was executive director Jacqueline Reynoso, Morrison said:
“I think most people would be pointing in that direction.”
Reynoso did not return a phone call seeking comment.
In the email Morrison adds that the chamber’s political activity causes a bad image for the city, prompting him to step in.
“I am now hearing from organizations within our region that the level of artificial drama is getting to the point to where they are going to have to re-evaluate their relationships here,” he wrote. “That tells me that it’s time for me as the Mayor of the City to get involved. I would respectfully request a meeting between myself and just the Board Members of the Board of the Chamber to see if together we as policy makers can address the problem and find resolution.”
Clapper said he is not aware of any tension between the chamber and the city. He said the chamber is just in a transitional period with new board members.
Councilwoman Alejandra Sotelo Solis said city officials are overstepping their boundaries if they become involved with a nonprofit organization like the Chamber of Commerce.
“As a council we create and adopt policy to make National City a better place to live,” she said.
“Setting policy for nonprofits regarding their internal matters including how they run their boards, agendas or oversee their staff is for the nonprofit organization to do. There are accountability measures in place for both organizations to accomplish their diverse goals for the city and it’s important to not create confusion around these two distract roles.”
