King will be served well by one Chamber

The membership of the Nobleton Schomberg District Chamber of Commerce (NSDCC) last week voted overwhelmingly to merge with the King Township Chamber of Commerce.

It's going to take some work and adjustments to sort through all the details before the new King Chamber of Commerce (as the new body is to be known) gets on its feet. There are constitutional and legal issues to sort through, and while these hoops are reasonable and have been expected, getting through them is going to take some time.

But once everything is done, we believe the King Township community (and we mean all of the township, including Ansnorveldt, Kettleby, King City, Lloydtown, Nobleton, Pottageville, Schomberg and all points in between and nearby) will benefit.

The members of NSDCC clearly realized that last week, although there were some people who expressed very reasonable reservations. But these are issues that can be sorted out.

Some were concerned about loss of their independence. One man at last Tuesday's meeting in Nobleton was concerned that NSDCC would be swallowed after a couple of years.

NSDCC will be changed, to be sure. That is to be expected when two groups like this merge. The lives of two people change when they marry, and the same must be expected when two organizations like Chambers of Commerce get together as one.

But there will be representation from both bodies in these discussions, putting forth different agendas, and it will be from such a mixture that Chamber policies will be drawn up, aimed at the betterment of the business climate for the whole community. No matter how well two Chambers get along, when it comes to the health of the local business community, it's always better to have one cooperative voice.

There are some who might fear that some of the best features of the individual chambers might be lost in the merger. We believe the opposite will occur, with the best stuff being spread around.

NSDCC, along with the local business community, will be hosting A Main Street Christmas this Saturday. If previous years are any indication, this Saturday's event promises to be a wonderful and enchanting experience for all who attend. And count on a similar event early in December 2008, and '09 and '10 and '11, etc. The Nobleton community makes a point of getting out every May to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday, and everyone can count on that continuing long into the future.

Indeed, we might see more of these community events with a township-wide Chamber there to push for them.

This merger is not going to be an easy fit, but we defy anyone to cite any such unification that is. It's going to take time, a lot of hard work from the people most involved with the project, a lot of patience from the memberships of the two Chambers and support from the community, including the business community.

It will all be worth it.