Editor’s note: This is Connie Pedenko’s farewell letter to her workers after being let go as executive director of the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District. She was also in charge of Surf City Nights since its beginning. Surf City Nights occurs every Tuesday on the first three blocks of Main Street that combines a farmers market and street fair atmosphere, including a wide variety of street entertainers. No word on whether her sudden departure will mean a change in direction for Surf City Nights.

Dear HBDBID Members:

A very surprising turn of events, have me regretfully sending this final message as your Executive Director.  As you may or may not know, I was relieved of my duties as Executive Director on April 7, 2010.

It was my distinct pleasure to serve as the BID’s Executive Director during the past four years, and to share my consulting expertise in organizational development in helping to shape our common goals and vision.  My longstanding relationships with city and local officials as well, as the business community at large, served me well in directing the branding, building and development of “the BID.”  It is these relationships, as well as a reputation for honesty, integrity and commitment to excellence that I hold most dear.

I am more than satisfied with the achievements of the BID, under my direction. With the help of some very forward-thinking board members and an overall supportive group of merchants, I was able to institute practices used successfully by business organizations and create a more cohesive program of goals with measurable accomplishments. We were able to revamp and expand the current events, create new and exciting events, and discard those things that simply did not help us achieve our goal of promoting downtown as a family-friendly environment.  Through careful planning, smart marketing, and creative advertising, BID assets grew from $57,000, when first established as a 501c6 in 2006, to our current assets of $125,000. I sincerely appreciate and applaud those of you who helped along the way, and even those who chose a less cooperative approach; obstacles and unfounded negativity energized those of us who chose to strive constantly for success.

I will close by saying that I sincerely hope you will find (or have found) a person to continue to move this organization forward on a path that benefits all the varied tenants of the downtown business community. As you know from your own experience, an organization like this, without someone at the helm in a professional capacity, does not function successfully. Whatever strengths you think I brought to the position, I hope you will be careful to choose someone who can bring those same skills and talents. My devotion to the many friends I have in the BID will not end with my tenure as Executive Director, and I want you to have the best possible leadership to achieve what we began together, and beyond.

Good luck and much prosperity to each of you.

Connie Pedenko