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Citing 'financial struggles,' Libby chamber cuts hours of long-time staffer

by John Blodgett Western News
| July 24, 2017 1:36 PM

Citing “current financial struggles,” the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce “has been forced to reduce employee hours significantly” to reduce monthly expenses, according to a July 21 news release emailed by Chamber Board President Amber Holm.

The news release does not explain the nature of the chamber’s financial struggles. Holm did not respond by Monday afternoon to questions that asked for an explanation of the financial struggles, what might have caused them and an accounting of monthly income and expenses.

Only one employee, Pam Peppenger, is named in the news release as having received “a significant reduction in hours.” The news release refers to Peppenger as a visitor services representative, though she has been the chamber’s executive director. Holm also did not respond to a question concerning Peppenger’s apparent change in title.

“It makes me sad because (Pam’s) dedicated many years at the chamber,” said Tracy Anderson Vincent of AuntT’s Coffee Corner, a chamber member for little over a year. “She’s the face of the chamber.”

A Glacier Country Tourism grant is allowing the chamber to remain open 50 hours a week during the summer tourism season, the news release states, while “funding through a temporary on the job training program” is allowing the chamber to keep its office manager and communications manager.

“Unfortunately, there are many areas of this organization that have not received the attention they require over the past few years,” the news release states. “The new board and its committees are finding that they are having to make some very tough decisions in order to turn things around.”

The “new board” is a reference to recent changes to its makeup. Kim Peck of Glacier Insurance and Bruce Vincent of Environomics are new additions, according to the news release, while Bob Henline and Noelle Gilmore both resigned in June.

Henline, the former board president, was asked to resign in light of a Western News report on how he has been falsifying his resume and had been convicted of forgery and identity fraud. Gilmore, Holm previously reported, resigned as treasurer to spend more time on a family business.

Previous recent news releases do not indicate financial struggles, but allude to other, unspecified problems the chamber has been reportedly moving beyond. For example, a June 16 news release mentions “positive feedback” about “the new direction being taken by the chamber” and people “pleased with the renewed energy of the chamber” in light of new activities such as the “Business and Banter” networking event.

Chamber member Tracy Vincent said the membership “should have been made aware of” any financial struggles the chamber is facing.

The July 21 news release states “the chamber is continuing its work to put programs and supports into place that will strengthen the overall business community and support and promote our membership.” It also notes that the chamber’s new website will launch later this month.

Despite the reported financial struggles, the news release states the chamber looks “forward to our continued progress and truly hope to continue to engage the community to support a thriving and successful Libby.”

The next Chamber of Commerce luncheon, scheduled for Aug. 9 at Henry’s Restaurant, will include a “State of the Chamber” presentation.