In a move that took most members and the community by surprise, Jim Martin, executive director of the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce, was terminated the week before Christmas. Martin, who was the chamber’s second executive director in 14 months, had served in the position for less than a year.

Martin held one of two paid positions at the chamber, which has approximately 400 members. The other is the office administrator. Although no one with the chamber would confirm Martin’s salary, the job was advertised with a salary range between $30,000 and $45,000.

The Chamber was tightlipped as to the reason for Martin’s dismissal, and in an email to members, Chamber President Kevin Hogan would only say, “Please be assured that this action was not undertaken lightly or in haste. The Directors of the Chamber are the employers of the Executive Director and as such have legal responsibilities that must be adhered to. Because of these responsibilities there was no alternative but to terminate Jim’s employment. We are also held to rules of confidentiality in regards to personnel issues, therefore we cannot discuss the reasons for termination.”

Hogan added that the directors were very aware of the positive contributions Martin had made during his time on the job, regretted being forced to terminate him, and asked for members to continue supporting the organization.

Martin and the chamber board reportedly disagreed on some organizational procedures and that was what led to the firing. When Martin’s predecessor Robert Ford held the job during 2003, the chamber paid the Internal Revenue Service $8,000 for penalties and interest on late payroll tax payments going back about a year and half. Ford stepped down later that year.

Martin couldn’t be reached for comment at presstime.