Live Theater in Downtown Nevada City

...and it's free! Don't miss any meetings at Nevada City's City Hall. I guarantee you will see drama, comedy and tragedy all in one night.

Last night was the Chamber of Commerce meeting to merge the Chamber and the BID/Downtown Assn. I think? It was unclear whether the vote to add 3 as-yet-undecided Downtown Assn. members to the Chamber Board means the association will fold. It swells the Chamber Board to about 17 for a year or so, which seems a bit unwieldly at best, but perhaps the easiest solution.

Bylaws had to be changed, of course, which the Chamber Board did without consulting the Bylaws Committee. Bob Buhlis graciously passed out a handout that showed the correct way to proceed.

Cathy Whittlesey has a new title -- director instead of manager -- but she was praised by all as doing a great job and will continue the chamber leadership.

The proposal to put someone from the city on the Chamber Board was met with some horror until it was decided the city representative would be a non voting member.

Attendance was somewhat sparse, but large for a Chamber Board meeting. The most consensus was voiced for the end of the dissention that has divided tiny Nevada City, with the 2 business groups alternately sniping at each other for the past several months. Everyone agreed it was time to bury the hatchet. Finally!!

Since the county has cut funding to the chambers, alternate funding sources will have to be explored. Fundraisers? It was mentioned that the BID/Downtown Assn. folks bring money with them, but that issue was too muddied to sort out.

Finally, good old Ike Frazee of the FABULOUS Ike's Quarter Cafe, got up to speak. Ike -- with his long dreadlocks and tattoos -- doesn't look like a "chamber type" but he pointed out 2 important things: His business brings in a lot of sales tax revenue for the city and 2. He is only approached by one side or the other when they need something or want people to take sides on some controversy. He raised the amazing offer of donating 15% of his restaurant's take to the Chamber some Saturday to help. Amazingly, no one commented on his offer.

The Chamber needs to talk to Ike -- and people like him -- to reflect the myriad people and businesses in Nevada City and gain true consensus in the town.