Chamber of Commerce new director search started

For nearly a decade Heather Carter was a regular presence at La Conner Town Council meetings, presenting a monthly Chamber of Commerce report.

Carter has moved on to head CASA, the Camano Island animal shelter. In her place, longtime La Conner business owner Chris Jennings, the Chamber’s board chair, updated council members last week, during what is the business community’s busiest time of year.

Jennings noted that while the economy here has bounced back nicely from the COVID-19 pandemic – 2021 was a banner year for sales tax revenue and this year is following suit – lingering negative impacts from the virus crisis must be addressed.

The first is staffing the Chamber’s new visitor’s center location in the Pransky building on Morris Street.

The Chamber moved to Maple Hall from its office next to Balance Point Physical Therapy to reduce costs at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Carter maintatined a part-time presence as many volunteers opted to wait out COVID-19.

“The big issue,” Jennings said, “is staffing the visitor’s center. We’ve lost most of our volunteers since the pandemic. It’s sad when you’re a tourism town and only have a Visitor’s Center open nine hours a week.”

Councilmember Rick Dole suggested recruiting volunteers via the La Conner community social media page.

Finding a new executive director will entail an even greater level of outreach. Jennings said the first step will be surveying Chamber members, seeking their input on the role and duties to be expected of Carter’s successor.

“It’s an opportunity to reassess,” she said of the survey. The Chamber hopes to interview executive director candidates once the surveys have been reviewed.

In the meantime, she said, Chamber board members have pitched in to handle day-to-day operations. Their new office, Jennings emphasized, is working out nicely.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “We’re very happy with it. The layout is great.”

Jennings said the next major Chamber event is the 22nd annual La Conner Classic Boat and Car Show Aug. 6.

Town council business

Resident Linda Talman, whose research on the 1986 contract rezone of the property behind the Slider Café led her to challenge the 306 Center Street condominium permit approval, read aloud from a letter that she had submitted to the council.

She stressed the need for vision for the town rather than a piecemeal approach when considering a proposal. She presented as a model the survey developed by the City of Anacortes for its community.

Councilmember MaryLee Chamberlain reported on the second public forum on local growth held June 30 at the Civic Garden Club.

“The feedback we got,” said Chamberlain, “is that we have a housing problem, particularly for people who want to live and work here, and when it comes to family friendly housing.”

She said participants would like more time to ask questions of Town officials and panelists at such sessions.

Council member Mary Wohleb said the people who attended appeared engaged.

“Stay with the process,” she advised. “I think it’s going to be good in the end.”

Additionally, council agreed to enter into a maintenance agreement for the new credit card pay stations for Town floats and the public boat launch on Sherman Street. The annual cost is $4,500.

The council also authorized the signing of an application for a Recreation and Conservation Office grant to develop the Maple Avenue park.

Sgt. Beau Montgomery, referencing a recent rash of graffiti drawings on buildings, implored residents and business owners to be vigilant. “If you see something, say something,” he said. “You’re the scouts out there.”