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7/3/09
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community Bangor Chamber plans meeting to discuss president's dismissal
Guerette
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BANGOR, Maine — Twenty-two members of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce have signed a petition requesting a special Chamber meeting next week to discuss Wednesday’s dismissal of longtime president and CEO Candy Guerette.
John Diamond, chairman of the Chamber’s board of directors, said Thursday that he has received the petition and that the board will honor the request as allowed under its bylaws.
A special meeting has been scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 10, at the Bangor Public Library. It’s unclear whether the full Chamber membership can or will reverse the decision to not renew Guerette’s contract.
Irvine Marsters, owner of the Bangor Letter Shop, said he was one of the petition’s signers.
“A lot of people in the business community are surprised and shocked by the actions of the board and the methods that were used,” he said. “Of course, there is a lot of speculation about what happened.”
The Chamber announced in a statement to its members on Wednesday that Karen Cole was appointed acting president, ending a 13-year tenure by Guerette. Cole joined the Chamber as communications and marketing manager just two months ago.
Diamond offered no explanation of the seemingly abrupt decision.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss personnel matters,” he said. “But I can say that, in any situation involving an action of the board, we have a very solid and concrete set of actions and policies we follow to ensure the decisions are appropriate.”
Reached at her home on Thursday, Guerette declined to comment on her dismissal, but Marsters didn’t mind defending her.
“I don’t have a side in this, but my feeling is that after 13 years of service, she was at least entitled to a hearing,” said Marsters, whose company has been a Chamber member since it opened in 1980.
Guerette was appointed as head of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce in 1996 and has overseen the Chamber’s membership, which now numbers more than 800 businesses in 21 communities. Before her tenure with the Chamber, the Millinocket native and University of Maine graduate was the town manager of Orrington for six years.
According to Diamond, the decision not to renew Guerette’s contract, which expired July 1, came from the Chamber board’s executive committee. That committee, made up of seven voting members, makes decisions when the full board is not in session.
Diamond also indicated that a plan to recruit and identify a new Chamber president will be presented at the next board meeting on July 9, one day before the special meeting.
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So what was the stated reason for her dismissal?
At least she will get a hearing. I was on the board of directors of a local incorporated food program two years ago and other directors called a secret meeting to which I and the president of the food program were not invited. The other directors fired the president. No reasons were given. They just did it. I contacted the state Attorney General and the state refused to do anything even though the rogue directors violated the constitution and the bylaws in this legally constituted food program......And the program has suffered as a result....Very sad and disappointing.
Sounds simply like a Darwin thing or the natural transition of, 'Out with 'Ole, in with the new'?
Mom and Dad have been in the drivers seat for so long and now the kids have moved out, opened their own club, Fusion, to change the business climate and image in Bangor, as we all know, from the mantra of Fusion, "we got issues". But I must say that the 19-40 age group has slim pickens when it comes to entrepreneurs currently on the move in Bangor.
Ms Guerette has had a great ride though, I would say as have the 'ole Chamber, ex-officios. Kudos and big kudos for the gratious Mr. Marsters to dare speak up and ask the tough questions. Good luck though.
Ah too be young again, the wind blowing through my hair(s), lving on caffeine and cigars and happy hour buffets, and the challenges of how to make a name for my company, with late nights at the watering holes, cocktails parties after cocktail parties to attend, board meetings after boards meetings, new suits, new hair cuts, gym (aye yi yi), whew!
But I am told it must all come to an end I guess?
The public should know what the reasons was for not renewing her contract.
My past experience as a former member for 6 years with the chamber was not a positive one. I found they didnt do anything, just a small clique, with their monthly tea parties. They say they do something but I never figured out what it was. Just talk, talk. Candy is a nice woman but It is probably time for some new leadership and ideas. I never figured out why they needed so many people to provide nothing. They focus on the majority of the larger businesses and whos who with $$$ rather than the small business owner/member that carries them.
Northwoods_Maine
So what was the stated reason for her dismissal?
.
the top story on the home page says bad performance