1/20/14 - The Hartland Chamber of Commerce says it has tried to take the high road amid accusations of unethical business practices being made by a former member in two letters sent out to membership. Former Chamber Board President Brian Crouse is the Operations Officer of Waldenwoods Conference Center and Resort, his family business, which did not renew its membership and is no longer providing facilities as a venue for chamber meetings. He sent out two letters to all members, one criticizing the chamber and board dated November 4th, followed by a second expressing the same with additional personal views on January 15th. Discord began after the Chamber disbanded its Business Friendly Hartland Committee, originally tasked with helping member businesses have a better rapport with township officials to address issues and business-related concerns. However, committee members told WHMI that things changed and went in a completely different direction. A survey concept was presented by Crouse as a way to gauge if members felt the township was helpful or not but some questions were viewed by chamber members as inappropriate, including one that referred to township officials taking kickbacks. Crouse also is said to have directly contacted those who did not respond to the survey, all of which he crafted and compiled. He also indicated that he wanted to sell his survey services to other communities, which some viewed as a conflict of interest and therefore declined to endorse the survey under the umbrella of the chamber due to the content. Current Board President David Kelley says presenting the survey as is would have separated a very positive relationship between the Chamber and Hartland Township. He says the decision to disband the committee was unanimous based on the information received, and doing so was a very positive and necessary step to help businesses grow and succeed. Kelley tells WHMI the relationship with the township has never been better and theyâre working in collaboration on a number of projects, such as an online business assist program and membership was up in the last year. The chamberâs website states members are allowed a free set of mailing labels with the understanding that they are not to be used in any way to discredit the chamber. However, officials say Crouse inappropriately made copies of those to mail out his recent withdrawal letter to all members, when they say it should have been sent directly to the board only. It wasnât until after the committee was disbanded that Crouse started making other allegations that the chamber violated its bylaws. The chamber is currently operating under 2009 bylaws as it is in the process of updating them. Calls for comment have been placed with Crouse but have gone un-returned. (JM)
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