City of Bend rejoins Bend Chamber

After an absence of about a year, the city of Bend has rejoined the Bend Chamber of Commerce following a 4-3 vote by the Bend City Council on Wednesday night. Voting yes were councilors John Abernethy, Mayor Bill Friedman, Linda Johnson and Chris Telfer. Voting no were councilors Jim Clinton, John Hummel and Dave Malkin. The city council last year voted to pull the city out of the Chamber, citing concerns about the Chamber making endorsements in political races. However, the fact that the Chamber this year is forming a separate political action committee for members who want to get involved in political races or issues satisfied a majority of the council this week enough to vote to rejoin. Welcome back.