TRAVERSE CITY —
The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce publicly opposes Proposal 1, but some questioned that stance in light of payments from Traverse City Light & Power to a chamber department.
The chamber in September issued a press release that stated its opposition to city commission control of Light & Power. Chamber officials contend the utility's structure shouldn't be revamped on a citizen vote alone, and said the move could cause uncertainty in customers' rates.
But Grand Traverse County Commissioner Ross Richardson, a supporter of Proposal 1, publicly questioned the chamber's stance. The Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation, a division of the chamber, receives $25,000 a year from Light & Power for economic development in the Light & Power service area.
Richardson admonished the chamber for weighing in, and suggested in a letter to a local publication that the Light & Power payments are "a bit of a conflict." Former Mayor Margaret Dodd, who launched Proposal 1, also questioned the payments.
Chamber President and CEO Doug Luciani refuted suggestions that the chamber took the stance because of the money.
"It's absolutely not true," Luciani said. "There's no relation between one and the other."
Light & Power made the first payment to the chamber as part of its 2008-09 budget, and again for 2009-10, for a total of $50,000. Richardson said he just wanted to make sure residents are aware of the payments.
"I don't necessarily believe that their position is based on the $25,000 [annually]," he told a Record-Eagle reporter. "I'm not sure it's a quid pro quo."
Doug DeYoung, the chamber's director of government relations, serves as record keeper for a committee created on Sept. 28 to oppose Proposal 1. The group, dubbed "Citizens for a Secure Energy Future," is comprised of about 10 area individuals with differing reasons for opposing the proposal, DeYoung said.
Traverse City Downtown Development Authority board member T. Michael Jackson, Michigan Land Use Institute policy specialist Brian Beauchamp, and former Traverse City Commissioner Scott Hardy are among the committee's members.
DeYoung said his involvement is separate from his role with the chamber, through the chamber is listed on filing paperwork as the group's address because it's a "central location."
Light & Power board Chairman Mike Coco filed to start a similar group, but withdrew about a week before the other group launched. He said he realized it might be questionable if the Light & Power board chairman formed a political committee, but said he didn't do anything to spur the other group's creation.
Citizens for a Secure Energy Future raised about $2,600 through donations and will soon begin distributing 3,000 fliers and 500 signs in opposition to Proposal 1, DeYoung said. The chamber donated $1,000 to the group.
Jackson, the group's spokesman, didn't return a call for comment.
Region
Some question Chamber's stance on L&P
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Local educators honored
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Memorial Day-related services in Traverse City region
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Clearing the Record: 05/23/2013
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Traverse City steps up parking enforcement
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Snyder, GOP lawmakers agree to budget targets
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TCAPS contract talks continue
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Panera Bread is on its way
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Police looking into assault find 960 pot plants
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Man gets prison for heroin possession
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Bear sighted at Mancelona Middle School
Chad Culver, the school's principal, spied the large mammal on Monday about 9 a.m. when he looked out his window as he met with a teacher.
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Property owners sue over flooding
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TCL&P may spend $15K on land it doesn't want
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Teens admit to lewd elevator act
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Fired Munson clinic employee settles lawsuit
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Free yard waste drop-off offered in Garfield
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Forecast: More storms followed by cool temps
Meteorologists say to expect more severe thunderstorms coming through the Grand Traverse region.
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TC resident wins $5K Art Van Award of Hope
Cecilia Chesney, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, received $5,000 for her organization and was given the chance to compete for an additional $25,000 through the Art Van Charity Challenge.
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Family of woman killed by drunk driver: 'It's just not fair'
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