For Sale? Chamber headquarters?

It's only talk - at this point. Will it become "walk"?

When is it a good idea to sell off assets to pay bills? Ever? Never? Of course, the Great State of Illinois is considering the same disastrous route and may even be doing that now.

Should a chamber of commerce sell its home? (Should a person ever sell his home to pay off bills? Should a business ever sell its headquarters to pay bills?)

Wouldn't it have been better to the homeowner or the business (or the chamber of commerce) to manage its finances in such a way that selling its "home" never pops up on the radar screen?

Recent "news" has been about the growth of the chamber membership. Increased dues should mean more money coming in. Right? Where did it go?

How did the Executive Director and the people elected to the Board of Directors do over the past 5-6 years in keeping the outgo equal to or below the income? One businessowner/chamber member told me that a request to examine the financial statements had gone unmet. What was the secret? Were current financial statements prepared and submitted to the Board every month?

Why would the Woodstock chamber announce an all-member meeting on July 30 to discuss a possible sale of the building? Is there a buyer who has submitted a request to buy the building?

What does it mean, "the board must secure member permission to talk to a would-be buyer"? Whoever heard of such a thing? The Board needs no such permission. That's why they are a Board. They can discuss or consider anything. Obviously, should they later believe it is in the best interests of the Chamber to sell the building, then they should involve the 300+ members.

Suppose the Chamber did sell its "home". Then it is homeless. If it used all the money to pay off bills, then what does it have? No money AND no home. And that's no "boon" at all. More like a bomb.

How did the Chamber end up in such a predicament? How many years has the Chamber been struggling with leadership issues? At least ten? More? 15? 20? Longer?

Woodstock has so much to offer, yet it is plagued with too many who don't want to get involved. "Let George do it." Well, George isn't going to do it. (By the way, where did phrase come from? Hint: check www.wikipedia.com)

Maybe it's time for the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, the WDBA and the Main Street program to roll into one and hire a powerhouse to light a fire under Woodstock. Figuratively.... figuratively! (before someone sends Chief Webster over to visit me).

Look at the presence of the Painted Horses on the City's website Community Calendar and all the money that will hoof it right out of Woodstock when those horses are sold. Why doesn't someone come up with an idea for Woodstock? George, are you listening? Where are you?