Submitted to Shelton Blog by Christine Armond
The local Chamber Pot is promoting "Great Holiday Deals When You Shop Local". (We all might wonder at what the multi-national corporation ADAGE wants us to "buy" locally this holiday season.)
Below is a list of the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce businesses (local and otherwise) that give enough money to the Chamber Pot to be called "Platinum Level" members. This is the Shelton version of Bush's "Haves and Have Mores".
Are all of the Chamber of Commerce members aware of the company they are keeping? Are they aware that this listing isn't exactly another incentive (understatement) for many of us to support Chamber businesses at any time of year?
The very people who would actually make the most effort to do as much business as possible locally, are the very people most put off by the political machinations of the Chamber, and in particular, certain "Platinum" members.
Several months ago, our local Chamber made arrangements for ADAGE representatives to present their PR propaganda to chapter members here in Shelton. Local citizens also requested, but were denied, equal time to present their views.
Since that time, there have been a number of local business owners who have chosen to make a statement on the issues by refusing to remain, or become, members of the local chapter.
Recently, another local business owner (a Chamber "Platinum" member) told me that they did not have an opinion on biomass incinerators, either way. Aren't they aware that merely by being a member of the local Chamber Pot makes a statement on where they stand on the issues?
Unfortunately, the entire membership is contaminated by association.
Active Underground, LLC
ADAGE, LLC
All About Parties, LLC
Allstate Insurance - Bob Buhl
Arnold & Smith Insurance
Bayshore Store
Bright & Bailey Consultation and Management Service
Cameo Boutique & Wine Shop
Dirt Cheap Cycle
Everett L Hughes, EA Tax Consultant
Gateway Property Management
Generation D Computers
Golden Rule Glass
Green Diamond Resource Co.
Hackney Family Dentistry
Harmony Hill Retreat Center
Heritage Bank
HQ Electronics & Satellite
Houle & Goodell Attorneys, LLC
Hoss & Wilson Hoss Attorneys
John Eaton Travel
John L Scott Real Estate Shelton
1030 KMAS Radio
Mariano's Fine Jewelry & Design
Mason County Senior Activities Assoc.
McCarty & Associates, Inc.
Our Community Credit Union
Prudential Northwest Real Estate, Shelton
Sam Sevier, LLC
Simpson Lumber Co.
Squaxin Island Tribe Tourism
State Farm Insurance - Melanie Bakala
Steph's Espresso
Urraco Coffee Company
Walter Dacon Wines
West Coast Bank
Windermere Himlie Real Estate
Wittenberg, CPAwww.masoncountyprogressive.net Mason County Progressive
OMG - the Chamber Pot! You crack me up.
ReplyDeleteWhat is not funny, however, is that this is indeed a list made up generally of the "haves and the have mores," as you note.
My wife and I no longer shop Shelton for anything but groceries, and then only when going outside Mason County is counter productive to our purposes. We do, however, continue to patronize producers of local meats and produce. This is a sad case of affairs, and one we're not particularly enthusiastic about. But until our local merchants and the 'Chamber Pot' understand the true concept of community, our family and friends will shop and dine elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few downtown businesses that have taken a stand against biomass, and I've enjoyed utilizing their services.
ReplyDelete