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Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce Board Passes Resolution in Support of Airport and Against Proposal 5

Benton Harbor, MI—Wednesday, November 01, 2006—Citing each measure’s potential impact on the business community in Michigan’s Great Southwest, the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has taken positions on two major ballot issues in Tuesday’s election.

Board Chairman Carl Spikner says that the Chamber’s support of the airport millage proposals in several communities in the region is, “Essential to the success of business locally.”  Spikner said that a Chamber survey showed that more than 30 local businesses employing well over 10,000 employees use the airport regularly.  “That doesn’t even include the airport’s largest user, Whirlpool,” added Spikner. 

Cornerstone Chamber Executive Vice President Pat Moody noted that the Chamber was a driving force behind the re-formation of “The Friends of the Airport.”  “Over 300 people signed on to promote the millage vote in their own community and across the region,” said Moody.  “It has been a very rewarding drive, as people from all walks of life recognize how critical the life of the airport is to every day commerce,” he added.

Conversely, the Chamber Board has taken a strong stand against Proposal 5 on the statewide ballot.  “Constitutionally mandating any standard appropriation is just bad policy,” said Moody.  “Even the local school superintendents that I’ve talked to have said that it is a flawed concept,” said Moody.

Proposal 5 has been dubbed the “K-16 Money Grab,” by the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce.  While the local Chamber hasn’t been that flip about it, there is strong concern at the board level that guaranteed inflationary increases for education spending that come from the State’s General Fund, “Would reduce the amount of monies available for other entities, and has the potential to break the bank,” said Board Chairman Spikner.

The Chamber Board recently passed both resolutions at a regular board meeting, and is strongly encouraging all citizens of the State of Michigan to vote NO on Proposal 5, and asks the residents of those communities with the airport millage on the ballot to give it a resounding YES vote.