The Holbrook Chamber of Commerce met March 22 and made the decision to enter into discussion with the City of Holbrook regarding the handling of two of the cities major events, Wild West Days and the Parade of Lights Festival.
Chamber President Yvonne Larson and Secretary Jeff Johnson have long been asking the board to shift its focus from community events to business development and promotion, and at this most recent meeting the board agreed.
The chamber will continue to support the Native American Summer Dances and the Taste of Holbrook, saying that these support businesses and are within the mission of the chamber.
Regarding Wild West Days and the Christmas festival, Johnson said, “These two events take so much of our time, but they don’t serve businesses. Mixers, the dances and trainings (for business) do that better.”
The board realized that asking the city to take over those events would mean a cut to the funding provided through the lodgers tax fund. “If they keep the money that’s fine, just let them do more,” said Johnson.
Larson agreed, noting, “These are already city events. They have a lot more people than we do. For this year I’d like to see how we can work together for Wild West Days and see if there is a portion this year of what the city can do. I watch Holbrook businesses and local business is dying, we need to focus on promoting and developing business.”
With the unanimous approval of the board, it was agreed that Larson would enter into discussions with Kathleen Smith, the city’s community development director, on the matter. If an agreement is made, the board will adjust the chamber’s budget request accordingly and include funding for the Native American Summer Dances.
That outcome will also determine the position of chamber director being offered by the board. Mindy Moyle recently resigned from the position, but that position would now provide less hours and possibly less pay. In the interim, it was decided that board members would need to step in and volunteer their time to ensure that basic needs of the position are being met. Larson volunteered to serve in the office on Mondays, with board member Barbara O’Lear volunteering Tuesday through Friday. The office hours will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Mondays, and from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Tuesday through Friday. The office is located in the historic Navajo County Courthouse.
