The Executive Board of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce has announced the findings of its recent New York State audit as well as the Board's plan to pay back the State and to repair the damage done to the organization as a result of the serious shortcomings in the cost documentation and grant administration by the Chamber’s past management, prior to 2005.

 

As announced, the Executive Board plans to pay the $124,000 owed to New York State in full by either selling or refinancing the building that houses the Chamber offices.  As a not-for-profit, the new Board will review the strategy regarding the building is an investment; it may make more financial sense to invest the money made by the sale if putting the property on the market is the appropriate choice.  The Chamber is currently in the process of having the building re-assessed to determine the most financially smart choice (sale and lease back versus refinance and rent).

In its audit, the State found the Chamber improperly requested reimbursement in the past including duplicate payments, using unpaid invoices as documentation and the co-mingling of funds.  In addition, inadequate processes and ineffective management kept the Chamber from achieving some of the stated goals of the grants.

As Chairman of the Board, Jim Kelly has spear-headed the clean up the problems of the past and enforce open communication and candor.  Since taking that position in September, 2005, Jim and the Board refocused the Chamber and engaging our membership to better serve our business community.

Throughout the audit, the reinvigorated Board provided the State with all that was requested of them. “Because of our involvement in the actual audit, no one was surprised when the letters were received,” said Kelly.  “We also know that District Attorney Spota had been investigating the Chamber and when the audit came, we were gladly out in the open about everything.  The past leadership was not fully transparent in their financial management; we plan to stay open and visible.  We have nothing to hide. Our current Board's position is to confirm the integrity of the Chamber and provide leadership in settling matters created by past administrations in order keep our vision for the future of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce”   In addition, Kelly made certain that no payments were received from the grants during 2005/2006 during the clean-up process.

John Caracciolo, Vice Chairman of the Executive Board said, “This announcement is evident of the new leadership’s policy of integrity.”