The Following is a letter that I emailed to Jack Camper the President of the Tucson Chamber of Commerce. Most of you have heard about the calls for him to retire. I wanted to give him an opportunity to respond and share the positive things that they are doing to promote business on our radio station. He did respond to the email but has not agreed to appear on KVOI or to appear on the other talk shows that have been covering this story. I think it is time that Jack either step up and proactively represent the chamber or retire.
Dear Jack,
Since this controversy began I have been ambivalent about it. I know we have problems in Tucson and have been personally focused on changing the city council, but I don't know if the Chamber is part of the problem. I give our talk show hosts (Jim Parisi, Joe Higgins and Chris DeSimone) the same freedom news reporters have. I only step in if they violate FCC regulations (including moral and ethical issues). So I have stayed out of the controversy. I contacted you because I wanted you to be able to tell your story on Wake up Tucson or the Jim Parisi show. I contacted the hosts and they would like to have you on. I don't see the Chamber proactively attacking this controversy. It seems like you have adopted a bunker mentality. I think this is a mistake. If you were out there on the different talk shows (Jon Justice, Wake Up Tucson, Jim Parisi, KNST, John C. Scott) pitching the things you are doing it would not only resolve this issue, it would propel the Chamber forward. It reminds me of President Obama's stance to not go on Fox News. Certainly he feels more comfortable talking to "friendly" folks like Chris Mathews. But, if he crossed the line and went on Fox he would win over many who currently oppose him. Wake Up Tucson and Jon Justice have been pretty hard on Rodney Glassman. But, since Rodney went on their shows the buzz has changed. I am not involved with the people that are asking for your resignation, I am a member of the Chamber and have sponsored some of your events. I am not your enemy. You don't need to come on our talk shows, but you need to engage this controversy and turn it in to something positive. Otherwise it tells me that it is time for you to retire.
2 comments:
Rodney has not agreed to go on the Jon Justice Show in years. He only appeared once in late 2007 when running for City Council and has not been on the show since.
Hmmm... You make good points, Doug. I have always liked Jack personally but don't really know how effective the Chamber has been in achieving their goals. I don't even know what those goals are. Perhaps your idea of having Jack come forth is a good one and is timely as well. One thing for sure, without your initiative in trying to get the business community to interface with the city council we would not have had some of the success we've enjoyed.
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