The blame game is on in Tucson. Earlier this month, KGUN 9 On Your Side uncovered just how tough it is to get a small business up and running around here. City leaders say they're working to make it easier.
Well tonight, some people say it's not the city but the head of the Chamber of Commerce that's not pulling his weight. Dan Spindle with both sides of the story.
They gathered in front of Maynard's downtown, despite some less than ideal weather, to take on Tucson's less than stellar business climate. Eric Ruden, who owns Essential Pest Management, told me the city is run by big business and it's the little guy who doesn't have a voice.
"We end up getting our taxes raised, we end up with sign use problems, land use codes, certificate of occupancy, and they're always sticking it to the small guy," Ruden said.
Citing poor leadership, the Tucson First group asked the Metro Chamber of Commerce board of directors to replace long-time leader Jack Camper. But Camper told me he's proud of his record,and he's not going anywhere.
"I can retire any day I want. Today's not that day. And I'm not doing it under pressure from some group that are not members of the chamber of commerce. And I have the full support of my board who asked me to stay here," Camper said.
"He does a very good job for the chamber, I think, for the members of the chamber very well. So it was a unanimous vote of support," Ray Burgall, Chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors, told me.
Tucson First, with help from Tea Party members, plans to continue a campaign against the chamber, citing studies that place Tucson below cities like Albuquerque, Salt Lake, or even Detroit in business friendliness.
When asked why he stays in Tucson with the various obstacles to grow his small business, Eric Ruden responded, "I grew up in Tucson, went to high school in Tucson and my family's in Tucson. And if I'm not willing to fight for my own city, that doesn't make me a very good guy."
For more information visit:
www.tucsonchamber.org
www.changetucsonchamber.com
