The Westerly Sun | Page A04 Friday, 30 December 2011

THE GOAL OF A TOWN OR REGION’S CHAMBER OF

commerce is to promote local businesses and the communities they serve. When a company seeks new clients

or a business owner wants to establish partnerships with other entrepreneurs, they often do so with assistance

from their local chamber. This is true whether the chambers in question are in big cities or small towns, here on

the East Coast or in California.

It’s also a recognized business practice for chambers to work together, especially when the economy is in a

challenging state, as it is today.

The same circumstances that encourage neighboring businesses to band together apply to neighboring

communities.

Hence our disappointment with the lingering struggle between the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce —

seeking to permanently change its name to the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce — and the four

South County chambers that have responded by banding together as the United Chambers of Southern Rhode

Island.

The South Kingstown chamber’s efforts to expand — and the initial press release made it clear that a

geographical expansion was sought — created a competitive and tense situation where there once existed a

partnership. It clearly sought to claim Hopkinton, Richmond and Exeter as its own and sent a message in not-

so-subtle terms to the other chambers that it was “THE” chamber for southern Rhode Island.

The response by the United Chambers and their towns has been fierce, including a pending lawsuit that is

expected to be resolved next week. Westerly chamber advocates in Hopkinton and Richmond have denounced

the move and refuted the idea that they were in an open territory. In addition, there have been personal

attacks on the South Kingstown chamber’s executive director. We remind all who have proven passionate about

this issue that he answers to the board of directors, and this is their decision.

It is a decision we find significantly flawed, not only belittling the efforts of the Greater Westerly- Pawcatuck

Area Chamber of Commerce and its allies, but creating a false impression for those less familiar with the area

— especially tourists — that the South Kingstown group is responsible for the entire county. Certainly, anyone

using an Internet search engine would likely consider “Southern Rhode Island” as the more significant chamber

and perhaps start there.

This will underserve inquiring customers and as a result negatively affect local business.

We encourage Superior Court Judge Brian Stern to insist that the Southern Rhode Island name be amended.

This is necessary to avoid the confusion created by the change and may help begin the process of removing the

tension between the chambers.

We ask those on both sides of this issue to remember their core missions and come together to work on

promoting local businesses and southern Rhode Island.

Online, Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Chamber of Commerce decision expected soon

By Liz Boardman/Independent Staff Writer

Thursday, December 29, 2011 11:06 AM EST PROVIDENCE — Judge Brian Stern expects to render a decision in the Chamber of Commerce name change case by early January. Stern heard closing arguments on Dec. 21 in Providence County Superior Court, where he presides over the Washington County civil business calendar. At issue is whether the South Kingstown-based Southern R.I. Chamber will be able to continue using the name it adopted on Sept. 22.

Last month, the chambers in Charlestown, Narragansett, North Kingstown and the Greater Westerly/Pawcatuck area sued the Chamber, arguing the name change creates confusion, is deceptive and amounts to unfair competition.

When Southern R.I. Chamber Executive Director Joseph Iacoi solicits new businesses, and they say they are already members of a Chamber, he could say, ―But we are the Southern Rhode Island Chamber,‖ said Jeffrey Techentin, lawyer for the four chambers.

―Will they say ‗Can I see your corporate documents? Who are you really?‘ That is not going to happen.‖

―They are going to represent the group as a regional chamber, or as the only chamber if [the business person] didn‘t know about the Chamber. That is the confusion,‖ Techentin said. ―They have a name. They have been using it for 78 years and it reflects what they do.‖

Techentin said the public also would be confused when searching online for hotels or restaurants in South County and the Southern R.I. Chamber name comes up first.

―[Southern R.I. Chamber staff] are going to refer to one of their members in South Kingstown,‖ Techentin said. ―Bad information will be available to the public. If [members of the public] are calling about Charlestown and talk to South Kingstown, [the Chamber] lacks comprehensive knowledge of Charlestown, but the referral is siphoned off to them. That is on the horizon and it‘s appreciable.‖

―If a nonmember is looking at a particular area and is confused and sees Southern Rhode Island, they will erroneously think it is some umbrella [organization?]‖ asked Judge Stern.

―If they are coming as a tourist to South County,‖ Techentin said.

―If they come from someplace other than Rhode Island, I don‘t believe there is a county called ‗South County,‘‖ Stern said.

―If someone is looking to get a recommendation into that area, they look to a local chamber – that is a function of what [the chambers] do,‖ Techentin said. ―If they see Southern Rhode Island Chamber, why look further?‖

―What evidence supports the confusion?‖ asked Christopher Little, lawyer for Southern R.I. Chamber. ―There isn‘t any. In Kent County, there is the Central R.I. Chamber, the East Greenwich Chamber, the Pawtuxet Valley Chamber. Central changed its name from Warwick years ago. [The plaintiffs] need something beyond conjecture.‖

―The law of unfair competition is not the law of competition,‖ Little said.

To prove confusion exists, Little argued, legal precedent requires logos and marks to be substantially the same, as was the case in Renaissance Restaurant v. Renaissance Café. In the cases of King Kong v. Donkey Kong and Excedrin P.M. v. Tylenol P.M., the courts did not find a likelihood of confusion, he said.

―If I opened a restaurant as ‗Home of the Big Mac,‘ and it‘s not McDonald‘s, that‘s still unfair competition,‖ Techentin argued. ―It‘s not about whether or not South Kingstown has newly become a regional chamber. The evidence presented [showed] the South Kingstown Chamber is not a regional chamber in any way that the other chambers are not.‖

―They can‘t point to evidence of actual confusion. There are no surveys, no market studies,‖ Little asserted. ―There is concern there might be some [confusion]. That‘s all they have.‖

To show there is deception, Little argued, the four chambers must show the name Southern R.I. Chamber is actually false.

―But this is not one of those cases of shrimp from Vietnam selling as shrimp from Louisiana,‖ Little said.

After listening to more than an hour of closing arguments, Stern said he would review the case based on evidence and arguments and issue a decision by early January.

Liz Boardman can be reached at Boardman@scindependent.com.

Online, Tuesday, January 3, 2012

ARTS &NG

Archives

Headlines coming in 2012

Thursday, December 29, 2011 11:06 AM EST OPINION - In our continuing effort to stay ahead of the news curve, we‘re predicting the big stories of 2012:

• In an effort to save Matunuck Beach Road from erosion, the South Kingstown town manager recommends naming two pubs as national historic sites. Town Manager Stephen A. Alfred cites the former Joyce Family Pub‘s origins as a 1920s speakeasy in his application to the National Register of Historic Places. While the Ocean Mist is about as old as a ‘47 Plymouth, Alfred said he‘d ―think of something.‖ When both pubs gain protective status, ―the feds will have no choice but to underwrite a $19 million sea wall from Moonstone to Galilee,‖ he said. • In further erosion news, contractors for Deepwater Wind are surprised when their underground cable dredging uncovers Kate Chase Sprague‘s dance card, a case of smuggled rum from the 1930s and a black Cadillac once owned by Raymond Patriarca. The drilling also sets a buried barge afloat, which promptly runs aground on Narragansett Town Beach. But what really upsets the locals is the unsightly presence of Deepwater‘s construction vehicles near the sea wall. ―If I wanted to see a utility truck every time I took a walk, I wouldn‘t have moved here from Cranston,‖ says a woman power-walking on Ocean Road. • Governor Chafee‘s approval rating now encompasses a half-dozen members of the Providence Art Club and an elderly woman who exclaimed, ―I thought that lady on the phone was asking about JOHN Chafee.‖ • The South Kingstown Town Council once again affirms its decision not to add a fifth liquor store license, while granting a beer and wine license to a guy named Al who runs a hot dog stand in Middlebridge. • National Grid opens a Power Outage office in South County after Tropical Storm Irene and an underground gas emergency in Westerly test the limits of its emergency response crews. ―It‘s getting so a stiff wind off Point Judith Pond is enough to give me the shakes,‖ said an unidentified company spokesman. • Faced with rising expenses, declining revenues and a tax levy cap, South Kingstown considers opening up the bell tower in Town Hall to sight-seers. ―If the Empire State Building‘s observation deck can generate $60 million a year, a panoramic view of Riverside Cemetery has to be worth something,‖ said Finance Director Alan Lord. • Not to be outdone, Narragansett town officials consider installing a wind turbine atop the Towers on Ocean Road. • The Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce decides to change its name to the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Information Center. “How about just RIP for an acronym?” muses Executive Director Joseph Iacoi.

• Finally, General Treasurer Gina Raimondo finds a decimal point mistake and orders the General Assembly back into session to deal with the Pension Crisis of 2012

South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors & Executive Director 230 Old Tower Hill Road Wakefield, R.I. 02879 To Whom It May Concern: It is with grave disappointment that I write you today after learning that the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce unanimously voted to change its name to Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. I believe this name change is not only a misrepresentation of the geographic area that the organization serves but the name change is more than presumptuous; it is offensive to the four viable, active chambers throughout South County Rhode Island and flagrantly misleading to the public. I am a past Board member for the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce (GWPACC) and my business partner, Raymond Quinlan, is a past Citizen of the Year. We are both strong supporters of our Chamber. The GWPACC has a long standing history of service to our community and we were both sickened by the news. We do not appreciate your offer to come into our community and undermine our local Chamber of Commerce, in fact, this is an insult to all four active chambers. Our Chamber has represented the Richmond Hopkinton area for at least two decades and it appalls me that a decision such as this was made without discussion with the members of the GWPACC or any of the other successful chambers affected. I suggest that the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce revisit the name change decision and focus its energy to serving the needs of its own members. Lydia Teixeira Hi-Tech Profiles, Inc. and Its Affiliates

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

The South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce 230 Old Tower Hill Road Wakefield, RI 02879 Dear Board Members, The Westerly Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce (WPCC) has been a partner and true friend to the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association (501-c-3) for decades. As a vibrant community leader they have tirelessly promoted our events and supported our mission to protect and preserve the Wood – Pawcatuck watershed which encompasses 310sq miles in RI and CT. Although our offices are based in Hope Valley, we have experienced no disconnect in service by the WPCC. The recent announcement by the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce that they will be spreading their coverage umbrella over a larger area, which overlaps with the WPCC, is very disheartening. Especially at a time when all community service organizations should be striving to work together more efficiently. WPWA intimately understands the socio-economic value of partnering and has benefitted tremendously by doing so. I hope that the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce might soon see the wisdom of “shared resources” and reverse its approach to outcompete a long standing community leader. Very truly yours,

Christopher J. Fox, Executive Director Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association

To Protect and Preserve the Lands & Waters of the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed

Christopher J. Fox, Exec. Dir. Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Assn.

203 B Arcadia Rd. Hope Valley, RI 02832

Email: chris@wpwa.org Ph: (401) 539-9017 www.wpwa.org

October 4th, 2011 Board of Directors and Others Re: South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce As a local business owner in the Richmond-Hopkinton area for nearly 20years, I was bothered and offended to hear about your board's willingness to change you name to The Southern RI Chamber of Commerce. I feel it is an inaccurate and misleading name, and frankly, you do not represent all of Southern Rhode Island! I also feel that it is presumptuous to think, let alone say, that the Richmond-Hopkinton area is unrepresented. We have been well represented by the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce for the entire time that I have been in business here. They have spent resources, time and money helping and serving the Richmond-Hopkinton area. The GWPACOC has often throughout the years given freely to assist the Richmond-Hopkinton Division of the Greater Westerly Area Chamber of Commerce. I myself served as the President of the Richmond Division and sat on the GWPACOC Board as a representative of this region. We were integral in changing Richmond's sign ordinance through working with the Richmond Economic Development Commission. We held Business after hours events to help business and members network more effectively, and held membership drives to help strengthen the Chamber that represents us... Westerly! So are we unrepresented....no! I feel your actions to make the these changes are misleading and are mis-characterizations to what your intentions really are. These actions will only serve to confuse people into thinking your Chamber represents this entire area and it DOES NOT! I will continue to support the Westerly Chamber as well as North Kingstown, Narragansett and Charlestown Chamber of Commerce who more accurately represent the People of Southern Rhode Island. David Ahrens Owner-East Coast Karate Richmond, RI

Dear South Kingstown Chamber Board members,

Your idea of changing names to imply that your organization represents more than it does is offensive to

the rest of the Chambers in Washington County.

As a member of the Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber, I am surprised at the level of either malevolence or

ignorance it took to go forward with such an idea. If you did not realize such a move could upset hundreds of

business owners and take business from my region, for example, then you should simply apologize to the other

Chambers and go back to calling yourselves by a name that says what you are.

But if this was an attempt to expand your reach and to try to take business away from our region, you are

on shaky moral ground. You will have made enough business people in Washington County furious at you that

you could damage your reputation beyond repair and severely impair you mission on behalf of your own

members.

Rhode Island is not only the smallest state, it is a small state, small enough where this sort of thing

should not happen. I urge you to reconsider.

Roger Williams is unarguably Rhode Island's founding father. He spent a good deal of time preaching in

the eastern parts of what would become Washington County. He was not a big fan of usurpation of power.

He was a peacemaker. Perhaps you could come up with another name that is less offensive to so many. If you

can't, I'm sure members of the other Chambers in Washington County would be glad to volunteer to sit on a

committee to help you find a suitable name. But I wouldn't ask them right now, if I were you. You probably

wouldn't like the results.

Yours,

Robert Utter

Other Tiger Associates LLC

90 High Street

Westerly, Rhode Island

October 4, 2011

Board of Directors

South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce

I was quite disturbed to read the news that the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce had voted unanimously to change

its name to Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. I was also struck by the misleading statements implying that

Richmond and Hopkinton do not have a Chamber of Commerce. Those remarks were completely false. I perceived this

name change and the published statements to be a direct attack on our local regional chamber of commerce and an attempt

to confuse the public.

I would like to set the record straight and provide some history regarding the Richmond and Hopkinton. The Greater

Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce has represented the Richmond Hopkinton area for at least two decades

that I am aware of. While there is not a physical Chamber structure in this community, and nor there should be a

Chamber in every town, the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce has never been lacking in its

presence. For many years I served on the Board of the Richmond-Hopkinton Division. I chaired the Division several

years as well. Our small but dedicated group of business owners addressed a variety of issues from signage to retail

promotion and shoplifting prevention, and worked hard to place the spotlight on local small businesses. We hosted the

"Trout Out" fishing tournament, participated in Swamp Yankee Days, and hosted Candidates Nights. Despite unwavering

commitment of the staff and Board at the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce, participation in the

division meetings waned. The same 5 or 6 people would attend meetings, and although we reached out in numerous ways

(surveys, calls, networking events, etc) the response was the same: Businesses in Richmond and Hopkinton valued the

programs and benefits of the GWPACC but did not have the time or desire to get actively involved in our Division. It was

for that reason, the active members voted to place the Richmond Hopkinton Division into dormancy. That decision was

made with the full understanding and commitment that we would continue to rely upon, and work in conjunction with the

GWPACC that has devoted its staff and financial resources to our endeavors for years. In other words, The GWPACC

would still represent us, but there would not be a separate, formal Richmond Hopkinton Division.

Since that time, the GWPACC has continued to provide our communities with support and promotion in a variety of

ways. The Towns of Richmond and Hopkinton are promoted in Go Westerly Magazine, they are promoted in the

GWPACC Membership Directory, and they are promoted on the GWPACC website. Our restaurants participate in

Restaurant Week, our businesses still host Business After Hours events, and 2 of our businesses were provided with grant

money from the GWPACC after last year’s historic flood. GWPCC signs continue to flank the poles in our community,

offering aid to tourists who need directions or information. These are just a few examples that illustrate the support that

continues.

Every community has challenges and needs a strong and viable Chamber of Commerce to represent its needs. It is

important for your Board to realize that the businesses in Richmond and Hopkinton already have that alliance with the

Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce. We have not been underserved in any way, and will continue

to work with the organization that conducted itself in a pro-business, professional, collaborative manner for decades.

Meantime, I would suggest that the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce revisit the name change and devote itself to

serving the needs of its own members. I, for one will continue to support the efforts of the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck

Area Chamber of Commerce and the new alliance of the four United Chambers of Southern Rhode Island.

Sincerely,

Ed Smith

Cc: The Westerly Sun

Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce

South County Independent

Providence Journal

South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors & Executive Director 230 Old Tower Hill Road Wakefield, R.I. 02879 To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to voice my staunch opposition to the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce name change to Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. While I understand the desire to convey a regional image, this particular name change clearly does not reflect your organization’s geographic service area. To say it is a stretch would be an understatement. Furthermore, it’s inconsistent to state that the mission of the name change was to collaborate with other chambers when you have announced this aggressive initiative knowing it would be perceived as an affront. The name change has bonded the other 4 active Chambers in Southern Rhode Island in opposition and has isolated South Kingstown. Any future hope of mergers or collaboration has surely been dashed with this action, and I suspect your reputation and fellow chamber relations will suffer as a result. As someone who served on the Board for many years and is a Past President of the Board of the Richmond Hopkinton Division of the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce, I am both perplexed and insulted. Mr. Iacoi knows full well that the GWPACC has a long standing history of service to our community. To suggest otherwise is not a lack of memory, it’s a lack of character. I recall clearly that your Executive Director was on the GWPACC Board when a local radio station, WBLQ registered the name “Washington County Chamber of Commerce”. He was firmly opposed to the move, and yet, has led a campaign to deliver an equally damning blow to the chambers of south county Rhode Island. On behalf of the businesses in this community I would like to say “thanks but no thanks”. We do not appreciate your offer to try and come into our community to undermine our local Chamber of Commerce, and in fact, we are strongly opposed to it. I would suggest that your Board revisit the name change. Selecting “South Kingstown Regional Chamber of Commerce” or “Greater South Kingstown Area Chamber of Commerce” can help you accomplish your goals of projecting a regional image while not continuing with a name change that amounts to identity theft. Richard Stockman

To The South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce:

I strongly oppose the name change to Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.

Aso a member and director for many years as well as president of The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of

Commerce, I and many others worked very hard to promote The GWPACC as a resource for the southern part of Rhode

Island including Richmond, Hopkinton and Pawcatuck.

As General Manager of The Day Publishing Company, I have been responsible for generously supporting The GWPACC because of its georgraphic location and it has served The Day well over the years.

This name change will not only confuse the public but would not be accepted by many of us who have worked very hard to establish who we are.

Alcino G. Almeida

The Westerly Sun 10/04/2011, Page A04

Chamber move leaves bad taste

What’s in a name? Just ask the various chambers of commerce in southern Rhode Island that don’t agree with the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce’s usurping of their turf by changing its name to the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. With all due respect to the South Kingstown Chamber, it has made a big mistake, and not just geographically. If its intent is to start a turf war, it has succeeded. And we would hate to think that is its goal. South Kingstown Chamber leaders need to rethink this one. Changing the name for strategic purposes is their perogative, but there has to be a better choice. We’re accustomed to chambers working with their counterparts in neighboring towns. At this stage in the country’s weak economic recovery, and with businesses struggling to survive, cooperation is key. We hope that South Kingstown acts to clear up this situation so our local chambers can focus on upcoming holiday events that will help their members rather than on this battle. It is unprecedented that the chambers in Charlestown, Narragansett, North Kingstown and Westerly-Pawcatuck would issue a statement blasting its counterpart in South Kingstown. As a group, they said, “While our Chambers have established brands and member loyalty our objection also stems from the potential for confusion from the public. People using ‘Google’ to seek information from the other chambers in southern Rhode Island could be misdirected to an organization that only serves a small portion” of Washington County. The statement also called the name change “an aggressive and strategic branding tactic that disregards, and will strain relations, with the very chambers with whom they claim to want to ‘collaborate.’” The four chambers summed up their feelings about the name change with an extraordinarily unprecedented shot across the bow. “They (SK Chamber) have no true intention of collaboration and are simply looking for a forceful means to dominate the landscape and further their political agenda,” the joint statement said. The scars that the South Kingstown chamber has created likely will be permanent, but it’s not too late to reverse course. It’s time for the South Kingstown chamber board to acknowledge the angst this has caused and to collaborate with neighboring chambers to choose a name that won’t leave such a bad taste with the others. We urge South Kingstown to meet with the other chambers to select a name that fulfills its mission without harming the mission of its neighbors.

Ronald E. Lawrence II White Star Line-Oceanic Steam Navigation Co. 4119 E. San Pedro Ave. Gilbert, AZ 85234

October 5, 2011

South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce 230 Old Tower Hill Road Wakefield, RI 02879

Re: Name Change

Dear South Kingstown Board of Directors and Mssr. Iaoci:

As a former local business owner, of the White Star Line Restaurant, and Former General Manager of Atlantic Beach Park, Inc. as well as being a former board member of the Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of commerce 2003-2006. I am extremely offended to both read and hear from previous associates and board members about your vote on the name change to Southern Rhode Island Chamber.

The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce in a working co-operative partnership with the Charlestown, Narragansett and North Kingstown Chambers has served the needs of Southern RI communities and business extremely well over the years.

I find it preposterous for your Board; it’s Executive Director to think and say that the Richmond-Hopkinton area is not being served. Our chamber has supported the Richmond-Hopkinton area for more than twenty years. Our Chamber at the request of the former Richmond-Hopkinton division has provided support in a variety of ways. They are promoted in our Annual Go Westerly publication; they are promoted in our membership directory as well as our website. The businesses of Richmond and Hopkinton continue to support and participate in Greater Westerly Pawcatuck Chamber events, ie: Business after hours, Restaurant Week, membership drives.

Additionally the Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber has tourist information signs through-out the area directing tourists who are in need of aid or information. It has provided grant monies to businesses. The Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce will continue to act and conduct its self in a professional, pro-business, collaborative manner with the businesses and community of the Richmond and Hopkinton areas.

Further more I feel that the name change is allowing yourself to mis-represent itself to your membership, potential members of the region and to the tourist and future businesses seeking information from our respective geographical areas.

The move is hostile in nature to the other chambers and its members. It is misleading to the general public. It is offensive to the communities that each chamber serves. It clearly strikes as a little fish trying to act as the big fish in a little pond syndrome. The move to make this change was ill conceived, and the ramifications of such a move were clearly under-estimated due to a lack of due diligence on the part of your Executive Director and your Board. The vote presents its self as hostile in nature and poor judgment.

I would hope, after seeing and hearing, and seeing the negative feed back that your chamber is experiencing. That you would choose to revisit the issue at an emergency board meeting and make the correct decision of reversing your previous decision/vote. Very truly yours, Ronald E. Lawrence II White Star Line-OSNC Gilbert, AZ