Jan. 13, 2014 By Christian Murray
The president of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce is facing a leadership challenge following the manner in which long-serving marketing director Luke Adams was ousted last week.
Rigo Cardoso, the treasurer of the business organization, took a shot at Swain Weiner, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, over the way Adams was let go.
Last week, Weiner announced that Adams’ position was “eliminated” and cited “financial restraints” as the reason.
Today, in a lengthy letter to Chamber members, Cardoso wrote that Weiner made the announcement without the board’s approval and that it was inaccurate. He said that Adams was laid off—not eliminated—and that “We look forward to calling on this excellent man when we get the funds.”
Cardoso said that the organization lacks funds due to its lack of community outreach. He said the merchant group needs to recruit new members and hold more fundraisers.
“There is a need for change at the chamber,” Cardoso said in an interview. “The organization is losing members and is losing ground.”
“We need more people and need to work better together,” Cardoso said.
Weiner, who had not read the letter at the time he was called, did not comment.
Cardoso said he plans to run for chamber president in April. He said he is a US citizen born in Ecuador who would aim to recruit business people of all cultures. However, he would like other independently minded people to run for the top chamber job too.
He said he would also want to have the monthly chamber meetings in restaurants throughout the neighborhood—to help all the different restaurant/bar owners gain exposure. Currently, the monthly luncheon meetings are held at Dazies.
Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, Letter by Rigo Cardoso by Queens Post on Scribd
