Several chamber members, most of them Republicans, who were interviewed at random after the speech had only encouragement for Mr. Clinton.

He said reaction to the proposal among chamber members, business owners, shopkeepers and residents, had been mostly positive.

The total number of chamber members was around 42 000 as of 2009.

"The frat I belong to wanted to control all of the executive positions," a chamber member said.

Since it ended, she said, she has received some complaints from chamber members, primarily about parking, but most are "very, very happy."

A chamber member, Mr. Sciabbarrasi feels that his fellow members are overreacting.

Several chamber members said a Dinkins defeat could seriously undermine the prospects for future interracial voting coalitions.

Mr. Pugliese said he and other chamber members had already raised $1 million in local sponsorships for the event.

A post-coup survey of 90 chamber members found that 30 percent planned to invest money from overseas at last year's levels.

Some chamber members went so far as to ask the village five years ago - to no avail - to limit the number of restaurants.