"The chamber does not endorse candidates," she said. "Our basic purpose is to educate the public and make them aware of who the candidates are and where they stand."

She said that the two meet-the-candidates nights the chamber did sponsor included all six candidates and were well-attended.

Mike Baron, a campaign worker for Johnson, said his question at one of those events was intentionally changed by the moderators, who were members of the Chamber of Commerce's leadership.

Baron asked candidates if they believed in the rule of law and, if so, why signs for the incumbent candidates were posted illegally in some places. Moderators only read the first part of the question.

"They were scanning the questions and editing them, censoring them," Baron said. "I know there were at least two, maybe three other individuals who asked the same question."

That, along with Miller's involvement, are signs that Greenwood has become too entrenched as mayor and a change in leadership is needed, Baron said.

Greenwood said he's not concerned with the complaints about Miller.

"I don't pay attention to that nonsense," he said. "What people do on their own time is their business, and Heather volunteered."

Ultimately, Johnson said, the problem is one of appearances.

"(Miller) is a sweet lady and she works hard," he said. "I do not say these things to demean her, but she is in a position where people see what she does. And since she is the chamber president, I don't think what she's doing is ethical."

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E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com