The Klamath Chamber of Commerce has officially closed.
Elected KCC president Lori Collins told The Triplicate appropriate paperwork has been sent to the Secretary of State, dissolving the chamber. The closure ends a 27-year history of service to south Del Norte County.
Collins expressed her disappointment on the chamber closure.
“I’m heartbroken,“ she said.
After consulting with attorneys, Collins and KCC Vice President Sally Rogers learned the cost to challenge the forced, unilateral closing was prohibitive and with consent from the duly elected board, filed the secretary of state paperwork to dissolve.
Collins, on behalf of the chamber, instructed the HSDN to transact the cashier draft donation.
The impetus to close the chamber was initiated by former Klamath Chamber treasurer and board member Jean Ficquette-Jones and former chamber President David Jones, her husband.
Claiming the December 2022 election was fraudulent, Ficquette-Jones returned 15 active, in good standing members’ fees and returned 2023 dues to those chamber members.
Per KCC by-laws, the remaining funds of approximately $12,700 was donated to the Humane Society of Del Norte.
Ficquette-Jones closed the KCC bank account. The current board is pondering a future decision to start a new Klamath chamber.