Powell River Chamber of Commerce has condemned City of Powell River for a lack of support of local business.
But it is all a misunderstanding, according to a discussion among city councillors in response to the charge at the April 17 committee of the whole meeting.
“There was a miscommunication and a misunderstanding and we've overcome that,” said councillor Karen Skadsheim. “We definitely do give preferences to businesses within our own hometown.”
The chamber wrote a letter to mayor and council on March 21, signed by the organization’s president Cory Carr, detailing a case of “genuine concern for the well-being of our community.”
According to the letter, an Alberta-based company had asked the chamber for contact information for road engineers and road builders in the Powell River area. Chamber manager Kim Miller approached the city for a list of applicable businesses and was given names for three contractors.
“What we responded with, because the question was rather vague whether they were doing logging, subdivision paved roads or gravel roads, was three road building engineers we've worked with in subdivision purposes,” said city director of infrastructure Tor Birtig. “They happened to be in Gibsons and Vancouver Island because we don't have local engineers.”
After a further search, Miller found there were at least six Powell River contractors, as well as two based on Texada Island, but did not stipulate if those companies were engineers or builders.
“The chamber board of directors is unanimous in condemning this lack of support for local business by city staff since, more than anything, we need to experience the backing and endorsement of our community leaders, resources and personnel,” the chamber stated in the letter. “We expect this matter will be taken seriously since future ramifications for this kind of non-local support are far-reaching.”
Carr said that while the complaint was sparked by one case, the intent of the letter was to show the city how seriously the chamber takes the matter.
“We definitely want to make a point of bringing it to their attention just so the city understands what a part of the economic puzzle they make up,” said Carr. “It's everybody working together to get the best result.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said it is not a city matter.
“I don't think the city should be involved in referring any company to a third party,” said Formosa.
Councillors CaroleAnn Leishman and Russell Brewer said they agreed that it was not the city’s responsibility to be researching, recommending or referencing any business for the chamber.
“That's the chamber’s role,” said Brewer. “But I was a little bit disappointed with the tone of their letter. It could have been resolved differently.”
If it were possible for the city to provide anything, and Brewer added that he did not know if it was, it should be limited to a list of licensed businesses in Powell River.
According to Carr, if the city had provided a list of Powell River companies that offer the requested services it would have been absolutely fine.
“What they did do,” said Carr, “was suggest exterior companies from Powell River.”
