Have you ever wondered what the relationship is between The City of Frisco and the Frisco Chamber of Commerce.  Despite the cozy public image, they often present together at ribbon cuttings and business luncheons, they are legally and structurally separate entities. The Chamber is its own entity and has a foundation which is a private, nonprofit organization.  What does all that mean?  Simply put, they are not a department or arm of the city government. 

The Chamber has a board of directors and its own funding, which is primarily from membership dues and sponsorships.  While the Chamber claims to be independent they often collaborate on economic development, public policy and community events.  City officials and Chamber leadership often sit on the same committees and advisory boards. 

Every election cycle, the Frisco Chamber Government Affairs division takes a strong and proactive stance on governmental issues.  Locally they focus on business-friendly initiatives and educating and informing local voters.  Per there website, “The Frisco Chamber does not endorse candidates but plays a strong role in encouraging voters to know the candidates and issues and make informed decisions. The Frisco Chamber does this through candidate forums and communication efforts.”

We would argue that they do “endorse” without “endorsing” candidates.  We would also argue they do limit what they want to inform voters about.  When it comes to candidates they are not as “fair-and-balanced” as they claim to be.  Want the proof?

Compare those three situations and tell me what is the difference between them?

At the Chamber Forum in 2023, where Mark Piland ran against Mayor Jeff Cheney, the Chamber team specifically asked Mark Piland about a false story that was planted in the DMN by the city to destroy his character just before early voting again.  They went as far as asking Piland about a direct quote in the article.  The point of this question was to push votes towards Mayor, Jeff Cheney!

In 2024, we wrote about the Frisco Chambers “Election Fix” in our blog. There were two propositions on the ballet for Civil Service and Collective Bargaining.  They never wanted to go this route, but they felt the city had given them no choice after years of denying staffing issues that put their lives at risk each time they report to a fire.  The Frisco Chamber invited Safety First Frisco PAC run by Councilman Bill Woodard to the Forum and gave him 10 minutes to speak about why citizens should Vote Against the Propositions.  What about the Firefighters, were they given the same time?  No, they Frisco Chamber did not invite them.  The night of the event two of the Frisco Firefighters Association board sat in front row and the Chamber could have seen the oversight or mistakes they made and allowed them to speak the same courtesy, BUT THEY DIDN’T! 

The Frisco Chamber also sent out two email blasts, one in March, and one April before the election to local business and members advocating on the issue to Vote No!  Local resident, James Nunn took to Facebook and wrote, “The Frisco Chamber of Commerce just sent an e-blast to their membership advocating a “no” vote on a local issue relating to the workforce of the City of Frisco.  This is another example of the Chamber pandering to elected (and formerly elected) officials in Frisco.  This action alienates part of the membership and effectively removes the Chamber as an independent voice on local issues.”

Fast forward to 2025, Tammy “Toxic Tapes” Meinershagen, whose story was posted on Frisco Chronicles You Tube Page and then was picked up by the DMN, CBS11, WFAA, Fox4, and NBCDFW. Everyone should have been on pins and needles waiting for the Chamber team to ask the big question, that never was! In fact, not ONE question related to her “direct quotes or comments” on the tapes released were brought into question.  They completely avoided asking her about the tapes, her divisive and hateful statements; instead, they focused on the increasingly divisive political climate created by individuals referring to supporters of other candidates. 

Remember earlier, we asked you to compare these 3 situations and tell us the difference between them. What is it? The difference is the RULES! 

They don’t play by their own rules on the Chamber website which is to “INFORM & EDUCATE” local voters on the issues.  WHY?  Why would they do that?  The answer is $414,306.80!  That is how much the Chamber has received from the City of Frisco for items such as seminars/schools/training, dues and subscriptions, travel/meal/lodging, food and provisions, and lastly promotional marketing from 2020 to present.  They got over $95k of that in November of 2024!  The Chamber “CAN’T BITE THE HANDS THAT FEED THEM!” 

Want to know the biased board members and employees: click here!

The Frisco Chamber of Commerce is 1000% a biased organization to protect the city, and what the city wants!  For them to claim anything other than that is an absolute fallacy of epic proportions.   Now it is time for some fireworks, stay tuned!