Mother Load by Kg Macgregor

Author:Kg Macgregor [Macgregor, Kg]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, General, Lesbian, Action & Adventure, Fiction
ISBN: 9781594932045
Google: jes1QwAACAAJ
Amazon: 1594932042
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2010-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Anna stared at the dismal budget figures. Chamber membership was down almost a third from when she had taken the reins as president. It wasn’t only that businesses—including Premier Motors—were cutting back on discretionary spending during the recession. More than half of the losses were small businesses that had gone under.

“We need to shift our priorities to small business needs.” Jack Stroman, who produced television commercials for local businesses, sat opposite Anna at the far end of the conference table. His placement was fitting, since his views were usually contrary as well. As chairman of the budget committee, he wasn’t without sway. “I know it’s self-serving, but the number one reason businesses join the Chamber is to network, not to support the community.”

Geri Morgan, a longtime friend and ally, spoke up. “We had an election on those issues last year, Jack. The members were seeing positive results from our community investment.”

“With all due respect, that was last year. Members want to see their dues coming back to them, not going to a bunch of social enrichment programs.”

Anna bristled at his sarcastic intonation, but held her temper in check. She wasn’t on the budget committee, but as president was here as their guest. She said evenly, “Those objectives need not be mutually exclusive. What we saw in seeding the community with job training and development grants was that people had more money to spend. The model that Dave developed is solid.” She gestured to Dave Cahill, the owner of an office supply chain who had tapped her as his vice president two years ago so she could carry on his youth-oriented programs. “If we allow these community initiatives to fail, we’ll forfeit not only our investment, but our future customer base as well. This is not the time to abandon our goals.”

“If I may…” Dave was seated at the corner next to Jack, and had been silent throughout the contentious meeting. He seemed leaner than the last time she had seen him, and his handsome face was red and lined with worry. “Eighteen months ago, every single store in our chain posted record profits. Last Friday, I’m sad to say…Cahill Office Supply filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy.”

An awkward silence followed for several seconds. They had lost dozens of big-name companies in the past year, but none from someone so high in their organization.

Dave went on, “Our business was dependent on other businesses thriving, not on whether or not we have afterschool programs and little league baseball. I can’t tell you how many times I asked myself if things would have been different had I pushed more of the Chamber’s resources into the kinds of things Jack’s advocating we do now.”

Delores Gottleib, an investment banker sitting next to Geri, checked her watch. “I call the question,” she said, invoking the parliamentary procedure for voting on the motion. It was no doubt clear to her—and to everyone else in the room—the balance had shifted and there was no more need for debate.

When the meeting adjourned, Anna and Dave remained in their chairs as the room emptied.

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