Confederate Flag Costs Walton County 2016 Chamber of Commerce Event

Just like that, the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce pulled the plug on Walton County as the site for its long-scheduled 2016 Annual Community Conference.

Walton insists on keeping the confederate flag waving on its courthouse in Walton County? Then it pays the price, Rick Moore, chairman of the chamber, said Wednesday.

The chamber, however, said it will honor its legal and contracted obligation to hold the 2015 Annual Community Conference next week for 550 attendees at the Sandestin Hilton.

“By unanimous decision, our executive committee agreed today that our chamber will not hold its planned 2016 community conference in Walton County because of the divisive decision by the County Commission there to continue to embrace a symbol of hatred at its public courthouse,” said Moore. “With less than a week before our 2015 conference at the Sandestin Hilton, we will go forward with that contracted event to focus on unifying our diverse community even more on a positive agenda aimed at boosting economic vitality for all members of our community.”

Chamber President Sue Dick explained in a written statement that the Annual Community Conference has grown over the past 20 years into “the most important yearly gathering of leaders from business, government and nonprofits to deepen collaboration and cooperation on priority issues that advance economic growth and improve the quality of life.

“The fellowship and friendship that the conference fosters have become as important as the major issues that are discussed and goals that are adopted,” said Dick. “For the hundreds of people who annually look forward to this shared community and family time together, we’re going to make this a successful and enjoyable event.”

Last week the chamber expressed strong disagreement and disappointment in the Walton County Commission’s vote that resulted in one confederate flag replacing another at the county courthouse -- instead of removing it altogether.