Small Businesses of the Chamber

Taking a break from the chaos to talk about something I feel is important that is lost in all of what we have seen taking place.

I have seen a lot of comments recently regarding the Chamber of Commerce. A lot of people are frustrated with what happened on Tuesday with the Chamber CEO Josh Wooten and Commissioner Diana Finegan, that they are simply blaming the Chamber.

But we need to look at that a bit differently.

The Chamber is made up of 1,000+ local businesses. These are mostly small businesses that your friends and neighbors own. Most of them are members because of the networking aspects and other benefits of being a Chamber member. Most of them are not in it for the politics and would rather not mix the two.

These businesses generally share a common goal... help make Citrus County a better place for everyone. Look at the youth sports. Look at the non-profits. Look at the various fundraisers in this community... Chamber businesses help make those things thrive and successful. Without these businesses, most of those things do not exist... or at least in the numbers they are today.

Point is... these businesses are what help make this community what it is. They are not to blame for what happened Tuesday. I bet if you asked them, most of them would say they were disappointed in what transpired and nothing that they support.

So when we are having these discussions, we have to keep that in mind. Just because someone belongs to an organization, it does not necessarily mean they approve of everything that is taking place. None of them are going to be asked if Wooten should keep his job or not. None of them will be asked how to navigate the issue going forward. These are just businesses that are wanting to be part of a community of business minds. Nothing wrong with that.

But you can absolutely question its leader. You can question those on the board that actually have a vote on whether Wooten keeps his job or not... although they too own a small business, so be mindful of that. You can question all of that, but keep in mind most of the businesses there have nothing to do with any of that nor have the power to change it. They just want to go about their day and see a better Citrus County going forward.

So please be respectful of that as we go forward.

That said, the Chamber leadership should do something. Its leader was just at the County Commission meeting telling the board that the chair (Finegan) needs to be replaced because the meeting was a "circus", yet his behavior is acceptable of a leader of a large organization that represents small businesses? It goes beyond this meeting. Wooten is very active on social media and there are many comments he has made towards citizens that I would be willing to bet the small businesses in the Chamber do not approve of. Should we not expect more of our leaders?

I know of at least 4 businesses that are leaving or have left the Chamber recently due to all of this and cited Wooten as the reason for them leaving. Again, goes beyond Tuesday. I am willing to bet there are several more. Chamber leadership has a chance to show accountability.

Have him step aside while he goes through his legal issues, whether that is a lawsuit against Finegan or potential criminal offenses (pending CCSO investigation). When all that is finished, leadership can decide whether to bring him back or not.

Here is a quote from a small business owner who is also a Chamber member.

"I wasn't in the bocc meeting. But that's not what I want a chamber ceo doing or a county commissioner. We want our county to be successful for us little guys in a world of big box brands. Both sides need to find ways to help us local owners with issues. Like data centers, housing, education and more. I could care less if Finegan and Wooten hate each other. They can both leave and the county would be better. This toxicity has to stop from both organizations."

I have a feeling many other members feel the same. Tuesday was not a good look for any leader of any organization nor the BOCC. The bar needs to be set higher, but organizations also have to hold their leaders accountable... after all... he is representing them while speaking at that podium and the commissioners represent us.

We have to demand better.

Voters will decide what they think about Finegan and Bays in a couple of months.

One last thing. Let's also be respectful of one another. I generally do not delete comments or anything on the page. I figure we are all adults, so long as you stay away from threats and whatnot, I will likely keep it up. But if you call for a commissioner to die, well I draw the line there. No need for that. I have had to delete a few of those comments recently. Blows my mind.

Even if I disagree with what is being done or whatever, I try to be respectful about it. Having differences of opinion is normal. Nothing wrong with that, but let's keep with content and substance, not personal insults. That is how we learn and grow... constructive conversations.

I have plenty of friends that I disagree with on a variety of things. It does not mean that I have to hate them for those differences. We can have a respectful conversation or even a bit of a heated debate, but we walk away continuing to be friends because we kept it constructive and not stooping to personal insults.

Have a great day!