Dear Editor: A Note to the Anonymous Note Leaver

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to an anonymous note I recently received criticizing the appearance of our Chamber. The note, handwritten on a small piece of paper, stated: "This 'Chamber' looks awful! What a mess and embarrassment to this community!"

As the only part-time employee of the Chamber, I want to address these concerns and share some context with our community. While I am not responsible for grounds maintenance, I understand the importance of our office's appearance and how it reflects on our organization and community. I rely on the Board of Directors and Chamber Members to take the initiative to assist with and organize the upkeep of the chamber's exterior. Just last month, we had a volunteer pulling weeds before all the rain.

Your Chamber is currently engaged in several significant initiatives to enhance our services and support for local businesses and community members. As a result, the exterior may sometimes appear cluttered or less organized than we would prefer. This is a temporary situation, and we are actively working on improvements that will soon be visible. We are patiently waiting for Town Pump to fill in the hole at the sidewalk.

It's important to note that our primary focus remains on our work to benefit the community. Organizing events, supporting local businesses, and advocating for community needs require considerable effort and resources, which sometimes means our physical space does not always look its best. However, this does not reflect a lack of pride or care for our work environment or community.

I encourage open and constructive feedback from community members. If anyone has concerns or suggestions about improving, I invite them to reach out directly. Constructive dialogue is essential; together, we can work towards solutions that benefit everyone.

I appreciate the anonymous writer's passion for our community's image and invite them and all community members to join us in our efforts. By working together, we can ensure that our Chamber looks its best and continues to be a vital support system for our entire community.

We are always actively seeking volunteers who want to impact the community right now, so your timing is impeccable, anonymous writer!

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

CHIARA SCHOBER

Whitehall Chamber