Omitting both the public and

the press raises some interesting questions. Such a series of systematic

secretive meetings certainly gives the appearance that there is something

that should be hidden from the public. I have nothing to hide, and I would

only be willing to have such meetings in public.

I am concerned about your motivation

for having such secret meetings at all. I recall that you were the one

that consistently called for an end to public comment in our newspapers

via "Letters to the Editor." However, it was you that sent a

blistering letter to all the newspapers declaring that you were giving

our wonderful city a failing grade relating to business. Your grading

system was most subjective and contained no statistical support.

Never once in your term as

2002 Chamber Chairman did you make an effort to meet with me to discuss

any of your supposed concerns. Your letter appeared to be more ax-grinding

than a valid attempt at promoting business issues with local government.

What was your motivation for writing the letter?

Under your term as Chamber

Chairman, I, a Chamber member, was told that I could no longer participate

on the Legislative Action Committee. You allowed other government officials

to participate on the committee. What is your motivation for allowing

some to participate and not others? I thought that it was interesting

that former Mayor Bob Lenox was appointed to the chairmanship of the committee

at the same time that I was no longer allowed to participate. Such action

does not convey a willingness to build relations with local governments.

Another concern I have is the

secret meetings that the Chamber held under your direction concerning

your desire to create a new judicial district for Fayette County. Not

only was the creation of a new district unnecessary, but it would have

also meant needless tax increases. As a Chamber member, I have serious

concerns about your not allowing your own membership access to the minutes

of those meetings regarding a new judicial district. Again, I must ask

what is the motivation for the Chamber's secrecy?

Obviously, the Chamber of Commerce

is a special interest group, and there are many times when your special

interests do not necessarily benefit the public at large. However, to

deny information to your own membership is puzzling indeed. I would hope

that the Chamber Board is not conducting any activity that is not in the

best interest of all its members.

I do know that a majority of

our City Council is opposed to your meetings as planned. More to the point,

I would say that the inverse of your plan is true. Building relationships

between local government and business is best made in a public setting

if building such relationships is truly the goal.

I am a firm believer in, "Every

one to whom much is given, of him will much be required" (Luke 12:48).

As government officials, we cannot condone such systematic secretive meetings

for the sole purpose of keeping the public in the dark and eliminating

the participation of the news media.

The citizens must see who is

profiting from government, who is using government influence to their

advantage and who is vying for control and for what reasons. Then, come

Election Day, the citizens will decide for themselves exactly who they

think loves them, conveys impartiality and fosters a genuine sense of

community without personal monetary gain.

If you opt to make some drastic

changes and allow the meetings to be open to all, I will gladly participate

if a scheduling conflict does not exist.

Steve Brown

Mayor