This letter to the editor is regarding recent reporting of Winlock’s discussion of membership in the South Lewis County Chamber of Commerce (SLCC) published March 2, 2026.
As expressed directly to Winlock Mayor Marincin and others this past week, it is my opinion as a former member that this organization is largely functioning as a political apparatus for a specific club of people, including Lynette Hoffman of Lewis County “News” and her preferential pampering of particular politicians and people.
Winlock has been provided SLCC minutes from 2025 that show discussions of multiple local businesses they have deemed unwelcome in their club. I know through my own experiences about this having opened my business in Toledo last year with a particular focus on visitor information, local history and revitalization. It’s been going well enough and we just celebrated our one-year anniversary in the heart of the cheesiest little town in Washington.
I joined SLCC almost immediately and remained a member for six months before withdrawing last September after some poor experiences with executives.
Late last summer, I heard concerns that SLCC was mistreating some of its former members and may have rented a building from a current or former board member in a less than transparent way. So, I did the simplest thing I know to do — asked directly as a member for minutes to see what occurred.
Very quickly, a representative of SLCC called my business, made it clear she was calling as SLCC and told me “if I was trying to stir crap” she would “run me and my business out of town.” I told her the call was wildly inappropriate and hung up.
Shortly after, the SLCC president stopped by my shop and provided me with the minutes as requested. They showed a board member allegedly resigning from the board, yet still participating in nominations after and routinely communicating on behalf of SLCC to this day. This (former?) board member was quickly awarded a contract for monthly payments, which blurred the lines of personal benefit without a competitive or transparent process.
The minutes also showed the SLCC board discussing which businesses they did and did not like personally and would or would not be promoting as members.
I withdrew my membership shortly thereafter.
In recent Chronicle reporting about Winlock’s debate of SLCC membership, Mayor Marincin is quoted as saying, “The council also helps facilitate what our town feels like. Whether it is safe, clean, respectful and welcoming.”
SLCC, by admission in its own minutes, has gone out of its way to make small businesses in multiple local cities feel unwelcome.
Reporting also stated “Marincin added neighboring communities like Vader, Toledo and Napavine are all members, and also disclosed she herself as a private business owner was also a member.”
I would strongly encourage the cities of Winlock, Toledo, Vader, Napavine and other private business owners to consider whether they want to continue paying to associate with this unwelcoming political apparatus as it continues pampering particular politicians and people.
Kyle Wheeler
Toledo
