NEARLY 100 people passionate about local business gathered at the Collie Motel to discuss the future of the Collie Chamber of Commerce.
Following the June resignation of the majority of the chamber’s executive the remaining members called a special meeting on Tuesday night to put forward two motions.
The first was a vote of confidence in the management, while the second motion was to endorse the action of the committee to suspend chief executive Richard Jackson.
Several members expressed dismay that the executive was not able to wait until the annual general meeting - usually held in August.
That is the normal time for a new executive committee to be voted in for the year.
Collie Community Bank chairman Ian Miffling spoke against both motions.
“The board does feel the chamber cannot move forward with such a bare executive committee,” he said.
“We recognise the Collie Chamber of Commerce is an important entity, but it does not have sufficient numbers to operate effectively.
“The recent disruptions are not a good reflection on this town and need to be resolved quickly or the chamber will lose the confidence of the business community.”
Deputy shire president Glynn Yates believed while things can always be done better, the chamber had made considerable progress in Collie.
“In just 10 short months the current executive committee has nearly torn apart 74 years of chamber work,” he said.
“We cannot make Mr Jackson responsible for mistakes made before his time.
“We need to nip this cancer in the bud before it becomes terminal and it is close to becoming terminal.”
Members of the executive committee felt the chief executive had not listened to them and change was needed.
“I feel as if we’ve been lied to, we’ve had the wool pulled over our eyes,” committee member Peter Hall said.
“A lot of things need to be fixed before we can move forward.
“As a business owner I felt like nothing has been done.
“I’m passionate about this town and that’s why I’m speaking in favour of the motions.”
Since the Collie Mail first reported trouble at the chamber, the executive committee has suspended administration manager Rebecca Woods and Mr Jackson.
The doors of the building were locked and the pair were not allowed into the premises.
Mr Miffling said procedural fairness had not been observed and situation had an impact on two people’s livelihoods.
Following the vote, both motions were rejected by an overwhelming majority 13-41 and 10-38 respectively.
Following the vote it was decided the best way forward was an AGM on August 10.
Former executive committee member Tanya Wutchak said she resigned because of the infighting that had occurred.
"I felt the committee was no longer workable," she said.
"I believe some of the people are trying to do the right thing, but I felt that Richard Jackson was doing an excellent job and doing a lot for businesses in Collie.
Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray urged the community to stick by the chamber as it rebuilds.
"Energy has been wasted we need to move forward and support the Chamber," he said.
"Let's stop airing our dirty laundry and get on with improving this town."
Mr Jackson said he had been overwhelmed by the support he had received from the Collie community.
"I would like to thank everyone for the support they have given Rebecca and I and our both our families through this very distressing time," he said.
"I'm humble at the way all aspects of the community has come together to support the Chamber."
He was willing and able to come back and finish the job he started.
"If the chamber still wants me, I will come back and the new executive become bigger and better than ever," he said.
"I'm a builder not a destroyer and I just want to look to the future.
"Three years ago I made a commitment that I would stay for five years - and I'm a man of my word."
"Credit must also go to Rebecca Woods as she has held her composure through all this – showing what a wonderful emerging leader in the community she has become."
