Metiva resigns from Wasilla chamber job

WASILLA — The embattled executive director the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce announced her resignation today.

Cheryl Metiva, who has undergone scrutiny in recent weeks after several members of the chamber board of directors quit en masse on May 20, wrote in a letter that she would work through Friday.

The director had come under fire because of what the current board of directors called “liberal spending.” A review of receipts from chamber credit and debit cards had thousands of dollars of what appeared to be non-chamber related expenses.

The board, however, said most of those expenditures could be explained and that Metiva had agreed to reimburse the chamber for some other expenditures.

In her letter, she wrote to the board:

“It is very clear that the Frontiersman, other media, the board members who quit and a small group of others will not allow you or me to do our jobs.”

She added that there were perhaps some unwise purchases open to speculation, but she felt she never did anything that was a determent to the chamber.

“I have been assumed guilty and have been tried by the media and former board members,” she said.

After hearing the calls for more information from the members-at-large, the board of directors was in the process of planning an open forum for the members to address questions directly to Metiva.

“I thought that by not publicly defending myself it would assist the chamber in a positive manner,” Metiva said. “I have tried to conduct myself in the honorable way that I thought best served our membership and community.”

Metiva's letter:

July 9, 2009

Dear Board,

You have done an outstanding job in a very short time in an attempt to move the chamber forward during a very difficult period. You have performed proper due diligence as the current board. I appreciate that you offered me the professional courtesy of listening to my explanation of alleged misuse of funds. You have done everything possible to do the right things for the chamber membership and for me as your Executive Director.

It is very clear that the Frontiersman, other media, the board members who quit and a small group of others will not allow you or me to do our jobs. We are at a juncture that was unnecessary had those resigning board members been held as accountable as me. Their assumptions and accusations led to a dysfunctional board that fed itself on negativity and lack of leadership. Sadly enough, they bypassed the appropriate internal process and went directly to the media without concern for the chamber membership; impeding our effort in providing member services, growing membership, fund raising or positive community relations.

For over five years I have given all that I am for the benefit of our chamber membership and the greater community. I have never measured my personal overtime, weekend effort or personal donations to events over the years. Perhaps there have been some unwise purchases that are open to speculation, but I have never spent money or done anything that I felt was a determent to the GWCC. The media & public have no idea what personal expenses I have reimbursed over the years or what published expenses are legitimate business expenses- and they don’t care. I have been assumed guilty and have been tried by the media and former board members. In spite of your hard work, it is obvious that the trust of the members that voted for you is lost to these individuals. You have been fully engaged on behalf of the members and staff; you should be applauded and respected as such, not subject to ridicule or disregard of your dedication.

I cannot perform the job required under these circumstances and by remaining as your Executive Director these negative people will not allow you to perform your job as the Board nor allow our organization to heal. I will not stand in the way of what is best for the GWCC in the process of moving forward. I thought that by not publicly defending myself it would assist the chamber in a positive manner. I have tried to conduct myself in the honorable way that I thought best served our membership and community.

I am resigning as your Executive Director effective July 17. I will do everything possible to launch the silver salmon derby successfully prior to my departure. I will give you my best effort (as I always have) and will always be grateful for your confidence in my ability.

I wish the GWCC a successful future and appreciate those members who have supported me through the years and during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Metiva