Familiar face takes over as Chamber of Commerce president
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The Chamber of Commerce new president is a familiar face.
Former mayor Rob MacDougall was recently named the new president. He takes over from past president Allan Howell.
MacDougall became a director in May. MacDougall wants to continue his involvement with the community.
“I felt that for me the Chamber was an ideal fit,” he said. “Some people start at the Chamber and become a Councillor or Mayor. I went from Council and to the grassroots of the community. I think that will give me a better understanding of what the challenges area at that level. With the position of Chamber President being vacated, someone must have recognized my leadership abilities because they nominated me and here I am. It has always been my goal to make (Fort St. James) a better place.”
MacDougall wants to continue with the projects that the Chamber has in progress.
“I want to continue with the projects that are already in place like the downtown revitalization, the different events the Chamber puts on such as the fishing derby, and the Business Excellency Awards. We do have a contract with the District of Fort St. James to run the tourism booth and the associated promotion of the entire area.”
MacDougall brings with him the knowledge and experience of working with for the First Nations, running his own business, and being a District Councillor and Mayor.
“ I would like to see the board engage as many business people as we can to develop a strategy moving forward,” he said. “We worked with the downtown revitalization but maybe we need an overall strategy. What we want to see where we want to go as a business community. It is engaging all people, particularly businesses, and keeping them informed.”
Although changes may come in the future, MacDougall is focused on learning the job at hand and then move forward.
“I don’t see making any changes right away,” he said. “With summer we didn’t have any meetings. There is a huge learning curve for me. We will work with board and past President Allan Howell to work with him and find out what was in progress and how we can continue to move forward on projects and ideas that have been previously presented.”
At times the Chamber has been criticized for not always representing local businesses.
“I think one of the things that people sometimes forget is that the chamber board is a volunteer group. We put our names forward and do the best we can with the time we have available, but like most people, we have a business or work full time, have a family and have a life away from work. I want to remind people this is a volunteer group and we need a bit of latitude.”
MacDougall said that the chamber might do something like offer informative workshops.
“On November 29 there is a workshop regarding the HST,” MacDougall said.
“We will see whether there are other ideas from businesses regarding taxes, and the benefit program that is available to small businesses, etc. We want to be getting the information out there.
We may be bringing in the MLA, the MP, and Terrane Metals to give us an update. Maybe CNC and School District 91.
We want to get updates from local people as well as those associated with the community, just to inform the public.
“If we all work together as a group the community benefits from it and the business climate benefits from it,” MacDougall said. “A good community provides for a good business climate, and a good business climate provides for a good community.”
MacDougall is thankful for everyone who has dedicated themselves to the Chamber and to the community.
“I would like to thank all the past and present board members, and particularly I would like to say thank you to the Past President Mr. Allan Howell for his dedication and leadership he has provided through the years and will continue to provide,” he said. “He left big shoes to fill and I will do my best to carry on in that vein.”
MacDougall said that Chamber Manager Mindy Thompson is very dedicated to her job.
“The dedication and the work that she does is just excellent,” he said.
“We are really fortunate to have someone as committed as she is.”
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