The Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce had a meeting a while back where they decided that the interests of the chamber and those of the inappropriately named "Western Colorado Congress" were not compatible.
Not long thereafter, the executive director of the chamber delivered a letter to that organization to inform them of their revoked acceptance.
Very soon, a great deal of harrumphing was heard from various quarters about the chamber's decision.
We disagree with that harrumphing.
To not include an organization whose purpose appears to be not in line with your own but for the most part diametrically opposed; seems just good management.
Inevitably of course, the term big tent comes to mind as a criticism -- to which we would respond that turning a fox loose in a tent full of chickens is never a good idea, no matter what size the tent.
To be less flip, we understand the point being made that it is often best to include as many people in the business community as possible to reflect the community's needs.
But in this case the organization has no interest in most business other than to try and halt it.
Like Marie Antoinette who constructed an idyllic version of a natural pasture behind the palace, many of these organizations feed on a vision of nature that is for the most part about as real as a Disney cartoon and a picture of industry that seems to presume that it is operated by Darth Vader.
There is certainly room at the chamber for an organization seeking to bring environmentally friendly products and services to our community.
There is much less room for one which operates as a professional roadblock.
