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My letter from the Roane AllianceSubmitted by WhitesCreek on August 5, 2008 - 12:23pm.
I have trouble understanding the separation between the Roane Alliance, a County Government function supported by our tax dollars, and the Chamber of Commerce. I just opened a letter from the Roane Alliance and inside was an invoice for dues from the Chamber of Commerce. Can anybody fill us in on how this works? (FYI, I dropped my personal CC membership after the intentionally misleading presentation by Ms Henderson on the Lighting Improvement Initiative. I'm still involved through my businesses, so it was only a small gesture of my displeasure.)
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It is just a way for the county to get you fund the chamber. I am also involved through my business only, and am re-considering that also. I was puzzled as to why Ms. Henderson would want to get in an argument with RSCC, they are big (if not the biggest) employer in the county, and Oak Ridge would love to become the main campus (my opinion). I have also noticed that long time local people have left or been forced out of the Chamber/alliance and some "good ole boy" hiring is going on.
Care to elaborate on the "hiring" for some of the outsiders reading this forum? Just curious.
gone Gary Human, Regina Webster both local and good. hired, the wife of a city manager and the ceo, director or whatever Ms. Henderson's title is.
Chelsea,
I really liked Regina and Gary. I liked Tim Ledford, who was before them, too. I never did buy into the whole "ask not what the chamber can do for you, but what you can do for the alliance" idea.
Also forgot to mention Beth Sams, who it appears was practically thrown out!!! All were good for the community, had LONG STANDING ties to the community.
... but there's more to the story than that. Beth was the source of lots of friction among a number of staff members at the alliance, and they tried for a period of time to work through that.
Let me add I know, like, and respect Beth. But a new coach, new executive, new whatever person at the top has to be able to be sure that the rest of the team will be pulling in the same direction, or that person has the job of reconstituting the team so that can happen.
YOU'D want the same if you walked in a new place and were put in charge. After a period of time of trying to get things together, if you saw it couldn't happen with the staff you had, you'd find new staff. It's difficult part of the job of any person at the top.
I'm not arguing Ms Henderson has been perfect. But whatever your philosophical differences with Ms Henderson and how she's running the Alliance different than YOU would run it, she is the one running it, and she exercised her options after trying to get it smoothed out.
DON't accuse me of being a cheerleader, WC, because that's not what I'm trying to do, :-) I'm not claiming perfection for the Allianc OR Ms Henderson.
RB
I know a lot about the personnel situations at the Alliance. Several of the changes were well justified and some folks moved on of their own accord.
Just because they aren't there now, don't assume they were terminated against their wills, though I believe you are correct in the one you mention. (Although some folks didn't want to work there any more with the new regime) There's no real tactful way to address it, so let's let this thread go away if we can. It gets too personal for this arena and personnel matters are extremely touchy.
One thing I will say is that some folks function well under one type of management and don't under another. The needs of a particular job can change as well. I had a supervisor working for me at one time who was the best at helping people find their next job, and I liked his approach. It was sort of like, you have this particular skill set and this job now requires a skills that are different from what you have to offer. I want to write you a letter of recommendation that focuses on your strengths, because I want you to be successful in your next position. Thank you and good luck.
(If you get my drift)
Well, I know for certain the newest replacement is a gem and the real deal. We all need to support her. She's upbeat and positive, she's knows people but she's completely unpretentious. She's got a good spirit, but most importantly, she's a creative thinker. She is fresh air for the alliance. If the alliance can't work with her, the alliance can't work with anyone.
That was my impression, too. I'm glad you have some better knowledge and believe the same. Sounds like cause for optimism.
RB