Tuesday night’s (11/13/18) Twentynine Palms City Council meeting included a major responsibility shift for the Chamber of Commerce. Reporter Heather Clisby was there…
Denise Cullum, president of the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce, stood before the city council last week with an announcement: After 82 years, the Chamber voted to relinquish their sponsorship of Pioneer Days, the Light Parade and the Car Show due to short staffing. Cullum stated that with only nine employees, the responsibility had become “a little taxing.”
Instead, Cullum said the Chamber aims to improve the Visitor Center and help increase tourism, citing a shared vision with the Tourism Business Improvement District. Cullum stated that the Chamber would also prefer to re-focus further supporting existing businesses throughout the year. The Chamber would still sponsor the Car Show in March to fulfill the current contract, Cullum stated.
The Council moved to create a sub-committee consisting of government and business leaders to discuss shared responsibilities of future events.
During public comments, Aaron Kyle, who owns multiple properties, expressed a strong opinion that the Chamber should continue hosting the events, stating that “tax dollars should not go in to planning events” but rather, in to building the city’s infrastructure.
AFTER 82 YEARS, TWENTYNINE PALMS CHAMBER GIVES UP PIONEER DAYS AND OTHER EVENTS
