By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Jan.21, 2012.
A former member of Squamish Chamber of Commerce who was expelled last year denied all allegations levelled at him in a short press release on Friday.
“A number of accusations were made against me by certain members of the previous board. These accusations have since made their way into the community,” he wrote.
He continued: “While I vigorously deny each and every allegation made, I also have significant concerns as to manner and method in which the previous board addressed these matters.”
The expelled member was on the board of director and also led the chamber’s economic development committee, which was dissolved by the board of directors.
He was expelled in a November 2011 meeting of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, amidst unexplained allegations of his “aggression and intimidation” towards women.
His alleged mishandling of an economic survey he was conducting was also given as an oblique reason for his expulsion.
Ron Anderson, one of the board directors, had hinted at the member’s mishandling of the survey as a reason for his expulsion in an interview he gave to Pique Magazine’s John French.
“We have been asking for it for months (survey results) and it has not been delivered to us,” Anderson told the Pique.
A Dec.5 meeting of the chamber at the Sandman Hotel and Suites revealed sharp divisions as the directors walked out of the meeting without answering member’s questions.
The expelled member, who has requested he not be named, said he is aware people in the community want to hear his side of the story, which he said will be told at an appropriate time.
“I have been advised by my lawyers not to respond to individual inquires, or to speak publicly about the matter, while I pursue available legal remedies,” he said.
“I would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the support I have received from the community and look forward to providing additional information at the appropriate time.”
Any questions regarding the subject matter of his press release can be directed to the law firm of Digby Leigh & Company at 3050 Highland Blvd, North Vancouver.
The firm’s phone number is 604-984-3394.
