Chamber Takes Position on District Council

While the Amherst Chamber of Commerce is primarily focused on providing the business services that our members need every day, we have become more involved over the past few years in public policy issues that affect our membership as well.  Occasionally, when the leadership of the Chamber feels that an issue is too important to stay silent on the Board of Directors issues a position on the subject.

On November 2, 2010, residents of the Town of Amherst will have the chance to vote on a public referendum that would create ward, or district, council members.  If approved, our current Town Board members would no longer serve the Town at-large, but instead represent a specific area such as Eggertsville or Snyder.

The Board of Directors of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce has unanimously approved the following position concerning district council members in the Town of Amherst:

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce, representing over 2,500 members, adamantly opposes Ward Council Positions, whereby, individuals run for a seat on the Amherst Town Council, representing a particular district rather than the town at-large.

This issue has been brought to the voters multiple times in the past twenty years and has always been defeated.  Statistics from communities with district rather than at-large representation support our position that taxes go up, collaboration evaporates and a community vs. community mentality prevails when this form of government is enacted.

The Chamber encourages you to exercise your right to vote tomorrow, November 2^nd.  If you are a resident of the Town of Amherst, please remember that the Amherst Chamber of Commerce has taken a position against this issue, as well as the issue of downsizing the Town Board.