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Sisters, Oregon
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The contents of the on-line edition of The Nugget represent a selection among the stories that appear in the weekly print edition.

Chamber to search state for new executive
By Jim Cornelius

The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce will search statewide for a new executive director.

"We're stretching out beyond Sisters to find an executive director," chamber president Ed Fitzjarrel told the Sisters City Council on Thursday, October 10.

The chamber also plans to offer a significantly higher salary for the position in order to attract higher quality candidates.

"We're going to bump everything up because we need to build a bigger machine and grow into it," Fitzjarrel said.

"We're trying to get a higher degree of professionalism," said chamber board member Bob Grooney.

The organization has had five executive directors in the past six years.

The chamber has been in turmoil for several months. Executive Director Clyde Stryker resigned last week, on the heels of the resignation of events Coordinator Annette Hayden and the loss of several volunteers.

The city council expressed concern about the condition of the chamber during a workshop with chamber board members.

"We're looking for a little reassurance," said mayor Deb Kollodge.

The chamber board members acknowledged that the chamber has had a tough year, but they assured the city council that the organization will come out of the current situation stronger and healthier.

Board member Gary Miller said he sees the current search for new leadership as "an opportunity for the chamber" with "a clean future" ahead.

The chamber will advertise in The Oregonian as well as in local publications in an effort to expand the pool of qualified applicants.

Past-president Peter Storton acknowledged that the organization has to grow into a new role.

"We've grown as the city has," Storton said.

"We're in the major leagues and in any community, the chamber is so important."

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