Disaster is the best way I can describe the current state of affairs in Oconee County as pertaining to the relationship between the Seneca Chamber of Commerce and the chambers of Walhalla and Westminster.

I write, however, solely on the behalf of the Walhalla Chamber.

The Seneca Chamber’s decision to unilaterally declare itself the “Greater Oconee County Chamber of Commerce” as well as sever its ties with Walhalla and Westminster, has dealt a serious blow to the spirit of unity the Oconee Chamber Coalition (OCC), among other groups, has been working to achieve for over a year.

The OCC was formed in June 2007 at the request of business leaders and politicians who called for a unified chamber organization at the Economic Summit held in Walhalla in May 2007. The idea of a “unified” chamber was also supported by Oconee Alliance and later the 20-year vision plan developed by the Economic Development Commission (EDC).

This divisive action by the Seneca Chamber flies in the face of cooperation and unity that all of the previously mentioned organizations have been striving to achieve.

The leaders of the Seneca Chamber have been citing these organizations’ call for one Oconee County Chamber as justification for their actions.

The Economic Summit, Oconee Alliance and EDC called for the three chambers to work as a unified body, not use this go-it-alone scorched earth strategy. Not only has the Seneca Chamber declared itself the county’s chamber, it has also canceled all of the meetings of the OCC at the direction of its current president, who also presides over the OCC.

The Walhalla Chamber board of directors has voted unanimously to condemn the provocative, divisive and presumptuous actions of the Seneca Chamber and strongly encourages the entire Seneca Chamber board of directors to reconsider their actions and resume meetings of the OCC. The Walhalla Chamber strongly believes in the spirit of unity and cooperation the OCC has been working to achieve.

We do not believe the damage that has been caused by the Seneca Chamber is permanent. We at the Walhalla Chamber sincerely hope that the Seneca Chamber will reverse course and return to what it has done best in the past and that is work closely with its allies at the Walhalla and Westminster chambers to achieve a better Oconee County for its people and businesses.

Glenn D. Buddin Jr. is president of the Greater Walhalla Area Chamber of Commerce.