Yucca Valley, Ca.-(Opinion) In a knee-jerk reaction to a story posted on Cactus Thorns, Jennifer Collins, President of the Chamber of Commerce, signed a letter to “rescind” my membership with the Chamber because I am opposed to the Town’s General Fund tax Measure U which is not business friendly. Collins has taken a great risk to support this bad tax to promote her own political aspirations and in doing so, is not protecting the businesses in the main corridor. See story link here.
In her letter to me dated September 11, 2012, she cites Section 4 under Article III, Membership as follows:
“Standards of Conduct. Signed application for membership constitutes consent by the applicant to adhere to these by-laws and any other stated policies of the Chamber; to execute one’s business in a legal and ethical manner, and to conduct one’s action or behavior in a manner that is not unbecoming or prejudicial to the aims or repute of the Chamber.”
It appears I am not allowed to express my personal opinion opposing Measure U while the Chamber spends membership funds, resources and staff time to promote their support of this bad tax that will not help businesses.
Anxious to flex her veto pen, newly elected Chamber President Jennifer Collins failed to follow the bylaws she was sworn to uphold, or else failed to read past Section 4 of the bylaws.
In the section called Rights of Members-Section 6, Rights, Privileges, and Obligations of Members, Section B-3, Termination of Membership, I am entitled to a notice and opportunity for a hearing. Neither one took place.
The disturbing part by this self-proclaimed candidate for the office of Yucca Valley Town Council is cause for concern if she cannot comprehend the bylaws as President of this organization. There are rules, regulations, and bylaws in place to establish a minimum code of conduct for the Chamber Board of Directors, which apparently Jennifer Collins feels does not apply to her.
This is The United States of America and the last time I checked we are not ruled by a Junta. This retaliation against me by the Chamber is a violation of my right to speak freely and voice my personal opinion.
Shame on you.
Margo Sturges Author Link Here
Attachments: Exhibit C- Yucca Valley Chamber termination of membership letter dated September 11, 2012
Exhibit D-Yucca Valley Chamber Marketing/Tax Endorsement letter dated September 12, 2012
Yucca Valley Chamber President Violates By-Laws ?,
Not fair at all to you Mrs. Margo…how dare a lady with no depth, sells insurance, (come on…but she is running for council now).
Maybe town folks want someone to follow them with a dog bone and maybe one other is pulling a leash t get what they want.
Mrs. Margo..you keep going gal…myself, being a man of a local nature and sees fit that the yucca council resembles one of those arcade games where you toss a golf ball into a goldfish bowl to win a stuffed teddy……
mrs. margo what does the chamber of yucca do? promote what? it is not big deal to be voted as president of chamber here…ps keep digging and you will find gold..
A 45 minute drive around the downtown corridor of West Yucca Valley tells the story. Closed businesses….Jerry’s Restaurant, Yellow Mart,Stefano’s and at the end of this year you can add Medi-Source and The Rib Co.
Vacant buildings…the old Rite Aid, Automotive lots at the west end of town, Turner-Mueller building,the old Sears location near the Cinema…
What is the Yucca Valley Chamber doing? Promoting a General Fund Tax that is not business friendly to fund more grass soccer fields.
If if a member speaks up against the use of membership dues to promote the tax, the Board votes to remove you without due process?
Lets add Barr Lumber to the list, Margo.
Margo, could you please help me update my scorecard, as I am having difficulty tracking all the organizations in the Hi Desert that have shown you the door? Let me list the ones that I know of: Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce, Yucca Valley Noon Rotary Club, Joshua Tree Rotary Club, Visiting Nurses Association, Hospice… oh, and let’s not forget my favorite: the Yucca Valley Planning Commission. Could you fill us readers in on the ones I am missing? Better yet, perhaps you can write a column explaining how each of those organizations have “violated your rights as an American?” Thank God that Cactus Thorns gives you a means to associate with the greater community (me and four other readers?) as it seems pretty clear that they are increasingly disinterested in associating with you. Let me clue you in, the reason so many organizations count you as a DISMISSED member is because you do little more than sew hate and discontent through narratives based on incomplete facts, half-truths, misinformation and slanted opinions. Fortunately in America we have the freedom to chose with whom we associate. Seems that your fellow Americans are just exercising that freedom by showing you the door.
@Timmy has trouble with accuracy. Still floating Cheerios in your toilet bowl?
Mr. Timmy H. your hips sort of resemble a womans figure a first glance, why are you attacking Mrs. Sturges? Facts are facts and she does her research, you might check into spanx.
mr timmy h, greater organizations Mrs. Sturges kicked out of? this is not beverly hills and too many have the prole way of think’, read some books by paul fussell my young man, take it from a man of wisdom and worth, not running off like robin hood.
another thought process, mrs. sturges makes hats you say, maybe she can make a hip garment like a girdle spanx my man.
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