Liaison will aid process

AIKEN --- One week into the new year, the Aiken Chamber of Commerce can boast of having accomplished one of its goals for 2008.

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Gary Allington: Man will serve as the liaison for Aiken's chamber of commerce, easing communication for officials, residents and businesses.

Gary Allington has been hired to serve as the chamber's new local government liaison at city and county council meetings.

David Jameson, the president of the chamber, said Mr. Allington's role will be "to find that middle ground" between the community, businesses and government.

"Normally, chambers and councils agree in concept on lots of things. It's just that sometimes the devil's in the details," he said.

Mr. Allington's new role will require that he attend Aiken City Council, Aiken County Council and related meetings; be attentive to issues and actions that might adversely affect the business community; report directly to Mr. Jameson; and provide information to the chamber's board of directors, executive committee, governmental affairs committee and the membership.

He must also be available to help elected officials make decisions that serve the best interest of the community and businesses.

The government liaison position is common. Mr. Jameson said that in chambers larger than Aiken's the position is "more the rule than the exception."

Having someone at public meetings who possesses the instincts to pick up on "subtle nuances" and who can read between the lines is important, he explained.

Mr. Allington's background is in public and government relations from a business perspective. He moved to Aiken last year from Florida after retiring from BellSouth after 36 years in management.

Mr. Allington has worked with more than 50 local government bodies throughout his career, and Mr. Jameson said he can be a resource to the chamber and to the community.

"We're really fortunate in Aiken because we have such a cadre of retired talent -- people that are seasoned professionals who have many years of experience and just remarkable skill sets," Mr. Jameson said.

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.