The following letter was submitted to the Yorktown News in December 2024 but was not published. While the original letter was written as a community member concerned about the chamber’s direction, I am sharing it here on my campaign page in the interest of transparency about my positions on local issues. The content reflects my views on how our community organizations should operate independently of political influence.
I was dismayed to see how the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce’s merger with the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce was reported in the November 21 Yorktown News. The article does not include responses from any current members and prominently quotes two former presidents, neither of whom belongs to either Chamber.
As a member of both organizations – as many Yorktown Chamber members are – I recognize the benefits of the merger: economies of scale, expanded networking opportunities, and stronger positioning for local businesses regionally.
In his quote, Mr. Visconti states that he is disappointed in the merger and the state of the Chamber. He goes on to quote membership numbers that do not seem accurate. He also does not mention the mass exodus of local business owners from the Chamber after he and his board endorsed Michael Grace for Yorktown Supervisor. Taking the unprecedented step of endorsing political candidates was the last straw for many, including myself. I resigned my membership, as did many others, including several board members. It’s worth noting that while Mr. Esposito, also quoted in the article, was President, the Chamber moved its offices from Parkside Corner Shopping Center to the Grace Building, further alienating those who did not support Mr. Grace politically and causing more damage to what should be a non-political organization.
It was only when Karen Trendell took over as President that I was encouraged to give the Yorktown Chamber another look. When I did, I saw Karen and the Board making significant changes to depoliticize the Yorktown Chamber and refocus on member benefits for all members, not just those who support specific candidates or parties. I rejoined the Yorktown Chamber several years ago as a direct response to the work Karen and the Board were putting in, and have been thrilled with the new direction, growth, and support.
Moving forward, I encourage the Yorktown News to take a more measured approach to reporting on local stories. The current membership of both organizations is publicly available. Any number of businesses impacted by the merger could have been reached for comment and would have provided much-needed perspective for the piece.
In the meantime, I look forward to the shared growth of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber and the Yorktown Chamber. I encourage other business owners to join us for one of our breakfast networking meetings, attend a business after-hours, or another event. Get to know the Chamber and other business owners in the area and discover how the Chamber can help you grow your business.
Sincerely,
Jann Mirchandani
Owner, Westchester Marketing Cafe
Board Member Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce
Member, Yorktown Chamber of Commerce