In Ventura, the sometimes fractious relationship between city government and business groups is getting a fresh face and a formal “prosperity council” to keep in touch.

On May 17, Sandra Walker, a banking and accounting veteran, will take over as CEO of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. Her start date comes a week after the Ventura City Council approved the city’s participation in a “prosperity council,” in which the city, the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Ventura Organization and the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau will meet to talk economic development on a regular basis.

Walker said the recession has shown both the city and the business community in Ventura that, despite their sometimes differing goals, they’re on the same team in the end.

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