Portsmouth Business Association Objects to Town Web Site Contract

Members of the Portsmouth Business Association said they're unhappy with the Portsmouth Town Council's decision to award the contract for the new town Web site without giving local businesses an opportunity to bid.

In an open letter, the PBA said the Town Council "is not in violation of any rules," they believe they the council didn't act in the best interest of the town and local business.

Here's the text of their open letter:

An open letter to the Town Council and citizens of Portsmouth:

The Portsmouth Business Association (PBA) would like to formally state its objection to the Portsmouth Town Council’s decision to award a contract without giving local businesses an opportunity to bid.

The Town Council has contracted a website design firm, CivicPlus, based in Manhattan, Kansas to redesign the Portsmouth town website. Local businesses were not notified of this project or were given a chance to bid.

While the town council is not in violation of any rules or regulations, the PBA does not believe that the town council has acted in the best interest of Portsmouth residents and local businesses.

The PBA, a volunteer-based organization founded by members of the local business community in 1993, aims to create a positive business environment which benefits both its members and the community as a whole. The PBA believes small businesses are the backbone of a community like ours and should get major consideration in all town decisions.

Respectfully,

John C. Farley, President Portsmouth Business Association