Election Fix: Frisco Chamber’s Biggest Failure

by friscowhistleblower | Apr 11, 2024 | Civil Service and Collective Bargaining, Elections, Frisco Chamber, Frisco Fire Department, Politics, Safety First Frisco PAC

Election time comes and night after night there is a new forum to attend.  They are great because you can learn a lot about the candidates and issues.  We like to go to the Frisco Chamber of Commerce Forum because we assumed it would be the most neutral so to speak when it comes to candidates and issues. 

According to the website, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce plays a vital role in the local business community. Their mission is to protect and promote commerce through advocacy, resources, and connections.  If you click on the “ADVOCACY” link it takes you to the government affairs mission statement which is to inform, educate, engage, and advocate for the business community regarding relevant public policy.  It goes on to say, “In order to fulfill the Chamber’s mission statement “to protect and promote commerce,” the Frisco Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs division, along with the Board of Directors, takes a strong and proactive stance on governmental issues.”

We were surprised when several readers who own local businesses sent us a copy of some email blasts, they received put out by the Frisco Chamber.  One resident said, “It was disheartening to see the Chamber involve themselves in an issue that should be decided by citizens.”  Another resident said, “If the Chamber receives money from the city would this be considered electioneering?”  Then we looked over social media and found a post by resident James Nunn that reads, “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.”

We agree 1000% with Mr. Nunn.  It was not just about the TWO e-blasts, one in March and one in April, that concerned us.  On their website, it states after hearing presentations from both sides they are recommending voting no, but did the Frisco Fire Fighters Association ever really have a chance of getting endorsed by the Chamber?  What they didn’t tell you is that the Vote No PAC received money from the Hall Grup and others tied to the Board of Directors before the presentations were ever made.  Plus they had folks from the city, city boards and commissions sitting in on this presentation.  CAN YOU HONESTLY TELL ME THIS WAS A DECISION BEST FOR BUSINESS OWNERS?  CAN THE CHAMBER TODAY SAY THE FIX WAS NOT IN, BECAUSE IT SURE LOOKS LIKE IT.

What if we told you from 2017 to 2024 the City of Frisco has paid the Chamber $393,590.21 for items listed as promotional marketing, dues & subscriptions, travel/meals/lodging, and food & provisions, would that seem like a conflict to you?  Most of that money is for “promotional marketing” of course.   We tried to find out if the Frisco Fire Fighters Association ever paid the Chamber, but we have not heard back at this time.  Even in the remote chance they had, I am guessing they never paid almost $400k.  So of course, the chamber formulated a decision that sides with the city.  It is called ‘MONEY HONEY!’

Even more disturbing is that at the Chamber Forum, we have heard they are giving the Vote No group 10 minutes to speak, but they have not invited the Fire Association.   So that is a DIRECT VIOLATION of three of their “FOUR PILLARS” to INFORM, EDUCATE, ENGAGE, AND ADVOCATE.  In this case, they advocated for one side, not educating the public to make their own decision. Does the Frisco Chamber think business owners and residents are stupid and can’t make informed decisions if given the information?   

We are back to the same old thing, and it is called Money!  The PAC has raised over $100k in two months, the Frisco Chamber is in bed and paid lots of money by the city.  Where in the hell do you draw the line as a resident of what is acceptable behavior from our city and its associates like the Frisco EDC, Frisco CDC, and Frisco Chamber? Did we mention the 2023 Executive of the Year at the recent Frisco Chamber Gala was no other than Mayor Real Estate Mogul Jeff Cheney?  To top it off Admin Professional of the Year went to his own Dolly Chatterjee who works for …. CHENEY GROUP!