EDITOR'S NOTE: Without investigative journalism in our local press, the potential conflict of interest between the Barnegat Chamber of Commerce and the Twp. Committee escalates according to this letter from a local businesswoman. Again, in all fairness, we would be happy to post any response from the Barnegat Chamber of Commerce, or the Twp. Committee.

Good Morning

This is Dee from Dee'z Dirty water Dogz. I just left the monthly COC meeting which I found to be extremely enlightening!!! I asked how long after applying by application to the Chamber does the business show up on the web site. I was told "after being accepted" it may take a couple weeks and my business was still "under investigation". When asked about the "rules of joining the Chamber" I was told there are no rules they "make them up as they go along". When asked by whom I was told the "board". Another business owner came forward and said that in his many years of working with the Chamber, including as an officer, NO OTHER BUSINESS HAS EVER BEEN TURNED AWAY!! If you are a business you are accepted!!

This is very concerning to me that I have personally been singled out to not be eligible to join the Chamber even though I was a member for my business that I had to close in order to do this Hot Dog truck. And for no reason at all. I have a food handlers permit from the town of Barnegat with the name of my business and the address of the business. I have a tax ID# from the state of NJ. The fact that I am a business is not in question. Just that I am "being investigated" to see whether I am eligible to be a part of the Chamber who has never said someone is not eligible. Makes you really think!!! What and Whom gives these people the right to "investigate" me? Investigate what. All they have to do is look at my Tax ID and my licence from the town of Barnegat. If the state and the town say I ama business then investigation over. I AM A BUSINESS the only requirement to be in the Chamber of Commerce!!! Duh!!! I will be speaking with my attorney as well as the many different newspapers/radio and TV personal that have taken an interest in this story as well as our plight. I will also be meeting with the zoning board which has now cost me in excess of $5000.00 to be "investigated" by them too. ALL I WANT TO DO IS SELL HOT DOGS IN A COMMERCIAL ZONE THAT WAS ALREADY ZONNED FOR A BUSINESS THAT I HAD TO CLOSE TO DO THE HOT DOG TRUCK. Nothing is any different other then the fact that I sell a different product. Who gives these people the right to prevent me from making a living????