Presidents Message

December 2008
By Darin Rutledge, President, Klamath County Chamber of Commerce

Four local organizations recently culminated months of research, development and production of proposals and presentations to market Klamath County to visitors. One of those organizations the organization originally notified of the county's intent to award them the contract was the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce.

In response to media reports, anonymous blogs, and general public discussion that may or may not be an accurate accounting of reality, I would like to take an opportunity to publicly inform you of the Chamber's position in this matter.

A critical part of Oregon and Klamath County public contracting law provides for bidders who perceive unfairness in the process or eventual selection of the award to lodge an appeal with the contracting authority. In the case of this tourism contract, Travel Klamath has exercised their right to appeal the contract award. By order of the county commissioners at a public meeting on December 17, a component of that protest was upheld.

First, it would be untrue to state that we do not have feelings of disappointment that this decision is still up in the air. In addition to the months of development that led to the creation of our tourism marketing package, we have made monumental progress in the nearly three weeks that have passed since we were notified of the county's intent to award the contract. Those meetings and that work continue today, and will continue until the contract is awarded. We are hopeful that this work is validated by award of the contract, but also intent on sharing it should another organization be awarded the contract.

That disappointment aside, we believe that the board of commissioners reached the appropriate conclusions in all components of the protest. While we believe that the board followed Oregon's public contracting laws and did not have a conflict of interest in this matter, we do not feel that Travel Klamath was out of bounds in requesting that the commissioners adhere to the letter of Klamath County Contracting Policies and Procedures. We commend the board for recognizing this oversight and taking the appropriate corrective steps.

We are also very disappointed that this decision has taken on a political spin. While we are not naive enough to believe that any county business is free from politics, we believe that there is no merit to the insinuation that this decision was made to make a point or to exact political revenge. In fact, we believe that is an insult to the four groups who spent a significant amount of time most of which was volunteered in a genuine effort to make an aspect of this community better. It is our hope that the fine people who give of themselves to make Klamath County a better place continue to do so, and that those who have thrown in the towel as a result of this political white noise will once again find their place in community service.

The contract will be awarded during the first week in January, and I would like to reiterate the point that Joe Spendolini made during Wednesday's public meeting: The Chamber will directly and enthusiastically support Klamath County's tourism effort, whether or not we are awarded the contract. We call on all interested parties to join us in this commitment.

Our only desire, which was put to paper in our very first committee meeting, is that at the end of this process the citizens of Klamath County will be the proud owners of an effective, adaptable and longstanding tourism marketing program.