By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — While a steering committee consisting of Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry members and Caribou City Councilors is currently working to separate economic development from the list of chamber duties — a change estimated to be implemented by the beginning of January 2011 — Chamber members recently have petitioned the Board of Directors to hold a special meeting to clarify the proposed changes.
In a letter addressed to the Board, it was stated that Chamber members would like to understand the benefits of the proposed changes, the reasons for the change and how it might increase or decrease the operational costs for the organization.
Chamber members have asked the board members to explain six questions:
• to review and approve the Audited Financial Statements from 2008 and 2009;
• the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary to provide the current plan to re-organize the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry and provide the reasons for the proposed changes including a discussion of any increase or decrease in the cost of operating the organization;
• the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary to provide the financial benefits of the proposed plan to the city of Caribou;
• The Executive Committee must explain how the CCCI Loan Portfolio will be managed under the proposed changes to the organization and how each new loan request will be handled in detail;
• discuss the disposition of any assets currently owned by the CCCI and any other alternatives uses of the assets; and
• explain any proposed changes to the Corporate By-Laws in comparison to the current valid version of April 7, 2004.
The meeting is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.
