‘Should be lauded’

Dear Editor:

RE: Chamber of Commerce hosts meet-the-candidates event, Sept. 15.

I was disappointed that this article highlighted the admission charge to the event rather than the great job the local chamber did in organizing the event.

It is not part of the mandate of local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade to host all candidates meetings. Many do so at a significant expense in both staff time and venue rentals as a service to their communities and members.

Many of these organizations have been harmed just like their members by the COVID-19 pandemic as they struggle with declining membership related to the pandemic. Despite this many chambers have worked extremely hard to continue to serve their membership during these times when they absolutely need them the most.

The local chamber should be lauded for finding a creative way to continue to hold the local all-candidates event.

Doug Harkness, Fergus,Chair, Dufferin Board of Trade