Danielle Pitman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, OrilliaMatters.com

“Blindsided.” That’s the word Roger Selman, president of the Ramara Chamber of Commerce, used to describe an unexpected eviction notice his organization received this week.

For 14 years, the chamber has had a presence in the Township of Ramara administration building in Brechin. The shared office space was a way to encourage mutual support and the economic growth of Ramara.

“Without warning, the township moved the exit to Nov. 7, giving volunteers just days to pack 14 years of memories, files and friendships from the space it has proudly occupied since 2001,” said Selman.

“We’ve been fully independent and member-funded since 1997. The shared space was a courtesy, not a crutch.”

As of Tuesday, the organization vacated the building. Its core of volunteers and one part-time staff member will continue to work remotely while seeking a new location to call home.

Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke refutes the chamber’s view that the eviction was unexpected.

Last November, Clarke said, the chamber was given a written notice about vacating by the end of the year.

“They’ve had almost two years’ notice,” he said, explaining the lease requires a minimum of one year and that the council representative ought to have provided verbal notice prior to that.

He said the issue is, simply, space.

“We’re running out of space,” said Clarke, who noted a number of departments have been changing locations as the township building can only accommodate so many.

Clarke pointed out the Protection Act requires certain staff to have office space in order to conduct confidential calls. Staff such as bylaw officers, treasury and building department members all require privacy to answer some of these calls, he told OrilliaMatters.

When the building was constructed, the sewer and water department had its own building. Since then, the Ontario Clean Water Agency — which maintains Ramara’s sewer and water facility — moved in and the sewer and water staff moved to the township administration offices.

“We’ve brought our managers and other staff who were in remote locations into the municipal building, which has caused some of the congestion, but we need to have our staff in one location,” said Clarke.

Chamber officials said they don’t feel supported by council.

“We’re just shocked by the lack of support from council,” said Selman.

He described an erosion in the partnership with Ramara Township, saying he was “dumbfounded” by council’s frequent lack of interest in the chamber’s initiatives.

“How six members (of council) don’t want to support us is hard to understand,” he said.

Repeatedly, council has voted 6-1 against supporting Orillia and Lake Country Tourism, Selman said. Coun. Sherri Bell is the only member of council who has shown support, he claimed.

“How can we not want to be involved with Orlllia, Severn, Rama First Nation?” he asked.

Although Ramara is not known for its tourism, Selman said surrounding areas are — something he believes can be built upon.

He referenced the Lake Country boat and cottage shows. Partnerships with neighbouring communities would increase opportunities for success, he said, expressing a desire to see Ramara work with Lake Country.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to support local, buy local, because the next job you might be saving could be your own,” said Selman.

For the annual job fair, instead of working alongside the township this year, the chamber partnered with Chippewas of Rama First Nation, he explained.

The relationship with the township, Selman said, could be challenging moving forward.

“I can’t understand why they feel that way,” Clarke said, noting various ways the township has supported the chamber over the years.

“Last year, we waived all the fees associated with the car show, and they were already aware at that time through the written notice and we continued to support their events like we always do.

“It was this council, too, (that) gave $20,000 to our chamber during COVID because they couldn’t do their fundraisers. So, we wanted to make sure that they were able to survive and thrive, so we rerouted some of our emergency funding and gave them a $20,000 grant to help them get through those times.”

However, he conceded, change is difficult.

At one time, it was chamber staff who greeted guests at the township office building and provided information. They also assisted in acquiring grants for the township, said Selman.

“They want our support, but they don’t want to support us,” he said.

But, he remains hopeful. 

“The chamber of commerce has survived for 25 years and it bounced back from COVID,” he said.

Ramara Township is open to suggestions for ways to help.

With no council representative on the chamber’s board of directors, Clarke said there are “councillors who are more than willing to sit on the chamber board to keep that open line of communication.”

He raised ideas for other physical locations, like the Brechin ball diamond office space and building. However, he noted it needs to be made accessible before the chamber can use it, and that demands time and money.

Clarke included the municipal buildings next to the township offices as suggestions. However, those would also take some time to arrange. There is an open house on Nov. 18 for the public to weigh in on what to do with those buildings.

“We do have a good working relationship with our chamber and we want to maintain that. Unfortunately, this one just came down to real estate,” said the mayor.

Aside from the need for office space and despite the current confusion, the chamber will move forward supporting local businesses and partnerships.

“Grassroots success isn’t granted by government; it’s earned by people who believe in their community. We’re unstoppable — freer than ever. There’s never been a better time to come home to the chamber,” said Selman.

The next Ramara Chamber of Commerce event is on Nov. 20 for its Business After 5, hosted by Lagoon City Marina and Fin City Fish & Chips, 150 Laguna Pkwy.

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