A company by the name of United Metro has been misrepresenting itself as being associated with the Port Orchard Chamber, and is selling ads to businesses for a Kitsap county map. According to Chamber Executive Coreen Johnson, the firm, and its representative, Jessica Farrell, have no business relationship with the Port Orchard Chamber, and the Chamber is not endorsing, nor is it a partner, in the map scheme.

In an email sent to members late yesterday, Johnson said she originally found out about this in August and spoke with two individuals at that time, telling them the Port Orchard Chamber refused to have its name associated with their map, and that the Chamber was in fact producing its own map and was in the process of selling ads for it.

According to Johnson’s email, United Metro is still claiming to be associated with the Port Orchard Chamber and several members have bought ads thinking they were supporting the Chamber map. Those members have cancelled their ads, and the Chamber is insisting United Metro not charge a cancellation fee. Johnson is asking that anyone contacted by United Metro and being told they represent the Chamber to call her at 876-3505.

The Port Orchard Chamber is producing a map through a company called Village Profile, and will continue sales calls into October. The representatives are Marilyn Thomson and Lini Handy, who can be reached at 973-1476.