Chambers eye merge; A vote on unification could happen by late March

By: BRIAN ECKHOUSE - Staff Writer | Monday, February 26, 2007 9:31 PM PST ∞

MENIFEE -- Nearly two years after a philosophical rift broke the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce in two, the competing chambers may be close to becoming one once again.

Late last week, the board of the financially struggling Menifee-Sun City Chamber of Commerce proposed that the constituencies of each chamber vote, on the same ballot, whether to unify as one entity and to pick a new board consisting of 15 members.

Vicki Carpenter, a board member on the older Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, supports the proposal -- which she said her organization tendered six months ago -- and expects her board will ratify it at a meeting on Thursday.

Past attempts at unification have failed or been postponed.

If the Menifee Valley board approves the newest proposal, the two constituencies would vote on the questions by late March, both Carpenter and Menifee-Sun City President Jerry Stamper said.

A merger would, presumably, end animosity that's been harbored since a majority of the old chamber's board considered a partnership with the Hemet/San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce. That prompted many of that chamber's members to splinter off in the spring of 2005.

County Supervisor Jeff Stone approved the division, noting then and now that a partnership with another valley could impede Menifee's ability to incorporate as a city. Stone has been an outspoken supporter of cityhood for Menifee.

"Now, they understand we need a chamber that exclusively looks at this valley," Stone said Monday.

In early 2006, Stone disappointed members of the old chamber when he announced that proceeds from the inaugural Third District Economic Development Forum would benefit only the newer organization. This year's economic forum benefited the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce.

But now, Stone endorses a unification of the two chambers representing Menifee Valley.

"I think it would be in the best interest for business in Menifee," he said. "I applaud them for working together and trying to consolidate."

A combined chamber wouldn't employ Cheryl Ferrulli as president, as was discussed for some time, Stamper said. Ferrulli resigned a week and a half ago as the Menifee-Sun City chamber's president because the organization couldn't afford to pay her salary, he said.

The newer chamber is at least $12,000 in debt, and could be on the hook for an additional $21,000 pending outcome of litigation with a former board member, Stamper said.

To ease their financial woes, the leaders of the Menifee-Sun City chamber decided to sublease most of the space in its office on Bradley Road in Sun City. The glass facade of that office space and some of its foundation were damaged recently when an SUV plunged through the front. Stamper said much of the reconstruction is complete.

"And hopefully, we'll have some fundraisers to pay off past debt," Stamper said.

-- Contact staff writer Brian Eckhouse at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or beckhouse@californian.com.