Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce Letter sent to The Miami Herald

Chamber's Letter to the Editor Arts Festival/Home Depot 2-3-06  

Miami Herald, Letter to the Editor

February 3, 2006

                           Grove Festival

Re the Jan. 29 story Home Depot gift rejected:

The Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce's mission is to enhance and promote commerce for merchant members in the Grove. The Chamber passed a resolution more than a year ago opposing the construction of any big-box retailer like Home Depot. We felt its plans to open a store in Coconut Grove would hurt village merchants.

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival's mission is to promote the arts in Coconut Grove. It is not to provide a place to debate politically contentious issues. The festival's president, Monty Trainer, is to be commended for his fast and focused response by not accepting Home Depot's offer. He did not make the decision out of fear from activists who oppose the store or the loss of Home Depot's $25,000 in-trade contribution.

He made it out of a deeper comprehension of and reverence for what the festival means to Coconut Grove -- its universal appeal, community collaboration, unity and pride were not to be diminished by any politically charged agendas or purchased at any price.

FRONTIS W. ''DUB'' EVINS,

President, Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, Coconut Grove