A Chamber of Commerce tradition in Duchesne County has come to an end in order to make way for progress and increased public input.
For many years, the Duchesne County Area Chamber of Commerce has held its monthly noon luncheon business meetings in Roosevelt. Now chamber leaders say they'll do away with the noon meetings in favor of evening chamber board-of-director meetings that will be held throughout the county on a rotating basis.Irene Hansen, interim chamber director, said the board meetings, which include a no-host dinner, will act as a "public forum" replacing the traditional monthly noon chamber meetings. She said a guest speaker still will be featured and student-of-the-month awards will be presented, but unlike at the noon meetings, the chamber board will conduct its business in an open session with the public invited to offer comments and suggestions.
"We have people call all the time with information for us, but how do we disseminate that information? We feel that by gearing our concerns to community problems at the board meeting we can take care of that problem."
She said the new concept of evening chamber board meetings will add a "whole new dimension to the chamber."
"This is something we are really excited about. Things are beginning to come together in the form of cooperation throughout the Uintah Basin," said Hansen. "Economic development, community service and community awareness are just starting to blossom. People who have been waiting in the wings to see things done are starting to jump in.
"This is definitely a good time to live in the Uintah Basin. There is no better place to live and anybody who doesn't think so needs to come in and talk to me!"