Should Westchester have one organization representing the interests of its business community?
In other words, should the Westchester County Association and The Business Council of Westchester merge?
This question has been asked many times over the years, but especially in recent months as “consolidation” has become the goal du jour.
The Great Recession forced each of us to rethink and retool the way we do business. Smart business people are doing more with less.
Over the years, the Business Journal has received requests to “take up the cause” to call for the merging of the two groups. We asked the heads of both organizations for their take. Members of both groups have expressed ”“ on the record and off ”“ their desires to see the groups unite as one powerful voice for business.
WCA president William M. Mooney Jr. wrote in a letter to editor earlier this month: “We at the Westchester County Association would welcome a consolidation with The Business Council of Westchester.”
The Business Journal has questioned the need for having two separate business groups with common goals and interests. We”™ve written about duplication of efforts, membership expense and so forth.
We”™d like to hear from our readers, many of whom are members of one if not both of the organizations. We realize some people have reservations about going on the record regarding this issue.
So here is your chance to voice your opinion anonymously.
It”™s your business.
Vote at westfaironline.com/survey
Dr Marsha Gordon is the voice of business and community in Westchester in my opinion.
“Members of both groups have expressed – on the record and off – their desires to see the groups unite as one powerful voice for business”
Only one group has expressed interest in merging – and its the one losing market share- what does that tell you?
Absolutely not!
Why shouldn’t there be 2 business organization? Having options is good. It’s like asking us if there should only be one newspaper in Westchester. Should Gannett take over the WBJ and make it their new business section? Perhaps you should poll that next.
Why shouldn’t there be 2 business organization? Having options is good. It’s like asking us if there should only be one newspaper in Westchester. Should Gannett take over the WBJ and make it their new business section? Perhaps you should poll that next
I think the Business journal should merge with Ladies Home Journal. Publish business news and leave real decision making to the decision makers
(Editor’s note: James O’Toole is vice chair, governmental action, of the executive committee of the Business Council of Westchester.)
They should merge and form a new Chamber of Commerce. The two organizations that we have today fail to service small businesses.Because of their size and focus they “go where the big money is”. One is interested in reforming the State ( a badly needed Project) and the other wants to reform transportation. Both need to be done but,small businesses need a more local focus to help them survive and prosper. The new County Chamber of Commerce should have branches in every business community to satisfy the local needs of members. This be a win-win. You get the economies of size with the local focus.
It seems the Business Journal has not given its readers full disclosure in this matter. They might be interested to know that the publisher of this paper is the wife of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Westchester County Association, and that Executive Editor Caryn McBride sits on the WCA’s Board. At best, these facts indicate a conflict of interest. At worst, a total lack of editorial integrity.