Page 4 - Special Feature.indd

PROFILES

Couple raised

the bar for the

Chamber

Looking back at the history
of the Cambridge Chamber of
Commerce, for many long-time
members and local business
leaders it’s impossible to not
remember the work of Don Don and Betty Faichney left their mark as Chamber leaders.
and Betty Faichney.
They were responsible for the success a ter taking on the role when a heavy
of the Chamber when the concept of rainfall and spring melt caused the Grand
amalgamation became a reality in the River to over low its banks on May 17, 1974,
early 1970s resulting in the creation damaging at least 75 downtown businesses
of not only the City of Cambridge, but causing millions in damage.
a larger Chamber to serve its business In his extensive 90-plus page Royal
community. Commission report, the Hon. Judge W.W.
“My dad was a glad-hander and was Leach outlined how Don had learned of the
hardly ever in the office,” laughs Deb impending disaster and personally set out
Mosey, regarding her late father’s to warn business owners that at least two
knack for making connections. “He just feet of water was about to spill over the article which listed her priorities, among
went up and down the street talking to retaining walls downtown, asking the police these were a revamped parking system,
everyone.” if they had a ‘loud hailer’ (megaphone) to riverfront development in downtown Galt,
inform people. They didn’t have one.
That talent, which Don likely ‘polished’ more dining and theatre and hotel facilities.
while working as a public relations Sadly, Don suffered a heart attack at a Deb said her mother, who passed away in
officer for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force Chamber luncheon on Feb. 27, 1975 and November of 2017 at the age of 86, always
around the world assisted him greatly passed away that evening in hospital. He had the support of the Chamber board.
a ter returning to his hometown of Galt was 46. In April of that year, Betty was “She was a very strong woman,” says Deb.
where he worked brie ly as a journalist named to the position of general manager. “I wouldn’t call her a feminist, but she was
for The Galt Reporter before being “A ter my husband’s death, I wanted to just really driven to achieve success and
named general manager of the Galt see those projects he had started were back then there weren’t very many female
Chamber of Commerce for two years. completed. I was determined if I were Chamber leaders.”
(Prior to his U.S. Air Force work he had chosen (for the job), things would continue
served with the Royal Canadian Air along in the same stride,” said Betty, in In fact, Betty went on to serve as a member
Force during the Second World War). an article published in the Cambridge of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
When the Galt and Preston Chambers Daily Reporter in 1976. Among these was Executive and was the first female member
of the Kiwanis Club of Cambridge, eventually
of Commerce, and Hespeler Retail a 40-page so tcover booklet entitled The becoming its first female president.
Merchants’ Association officially became Cambridge Book that promoted Cambridge.
the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Betty, whose father William Anderson was “Women may have a different feel for
on Jan. 1, 1973, Don has been named mayor of Galt from 1954 to 1957 and later business than men,” said Betty in that 1976
its general manager where he excelled MP for the former riding of Waterloo South, article. “Because women still have to prove
in this expanded role. Betty joined the was a strong proponent of working with all themselves when they enter the business
organization – which operated from a levels of government and promoting core world, they are usually strongly committed.
second- loor office located at Salisbury redevelopment. They o ten throw themselves into their
Avenue and George Street North - as his “If a visitor enters the city and sees a work, heart and soul.”
secretary in November of 1972. decaying core, he gets an empty feeling
Don faced a substantial crisis not long about the whole city,” she said in that same

4 Spring 2024 www.cambridgechamber.com