Well, even though it wasn't official when the Roanoke Times broke the news, or when the Tourism Development Council (TDC) last met officially in December -- an official good-bye was sent out this afternoon by the exiting VP of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
Aradia Zenobia wrote: "I have so enjoyed serving you all (chamber members) over these last four and a half years - however, as they say, all good thing must come to an end - and, unfortunately, my time at the Chamber has rather abruptly come to an end."
The publicly funded tourism partnership with the chamber ended June 2009. That eliminated additional pay for two chamber employees -- those accountable for carrying the extra tourism workload since the program's inception.
Although government agencies are required to issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) when seeking to contract for services, it appears "that hoop" hasn't been jumped through again. In the meantime, the three governments and chamber's TDC have been working the past six months to get this funding -- and tourism development efforts -- flowing again (albeit through a new 501(c)3 possibly formed using these same tax dollars).
The now seemingly desperate and repeated association of the chamber VP with the "suspicious" exit of the former chamber President must certainly qualify 2009 as a year to forget. Sincerest wishes for future success to all (insiders and average persons).