Olivette Votes to Drop Out of Creve Coeur's Chamber of Commerce

By a vote of 3-2, the City of Olivette has decided to drop out of the Creve Coeur-Olivette Chamber of Commerce. Normally, this is an issue decided upon at a reguarly-scheduled council meeting. But the dues were due the end of the month, so the council took decisive action.

Dues, which used to be assessed at $1,000 annually for the city, were reduced to $560.

This is a topic that is pretty much ignored until the annual dues notice comes up. For years, council members have been putting off this decision.

“We’ve kicked the can down the road far too many years,” said former mayor and present council member Jean Antoine. Antoine pushed hard to end the membership.

“We’ve given them (the chamber) many years to change their actions and improve our participation, and nothing changes,” said Antoine.

Veteran council member, also former mayor Missy Waldman took the other side of the argument. “Maybe, until we have something in order for our businesses, we should keep our membership.”

Thursday, there will be more extensive discussion of this decision plus other matters including road projects; updates to a criminal nuisance ordinance and the status of the Olivette Future Task Force.