OTTAWA — On a split 3-2 vote, Franklin County commissioners decided to turn tourism efforts over to the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce, the group spurned by a previous commission about five years ago. Following a feud with the convention and tourism board, which has been handling the county’s tourism efforts, commissioners chose earlier this year to seek proposals from individuals or groups to run the program. The county received two — from the convention and tourism board and from the chamber. A special committee looked at the proposals and recommended the chamber, said county administrator Jon Holmes, who was on the special committee. The chamber’s proposal offered new ideas and was award of changes in tourism, in which travels use more social media, he said. Commissioner Randall Renoud was skeptical and noted that the earlier commission had taken the contract from the chamber. He also wondered why his fellow commissioners chose to take the contract from the tourism board. Renoud and Roy Dunn voted against the change. Commissioners Rick Howard, Colt Waymire and Steve Harris voted to switch to the chamber. Harris, who is the subject of a recall drive because of absences because of a new job, took part in the meeting via a telephone hookup. Waymire conceded the previous action in moving the contract but noted that the committee put a lot of work in making the recommendation, which he said was a good recommendation. Under the contract, which is yet to be negotiated, the chamber would administer the tourism fund, which is collected from a special sales tax on motel beds, plan tourism strategy, support local groups’ events, and operate the county’s Visitors and Information Center on K-68 in eastern Ottawa. After the vote, chamber president John Coen sounded a conciliatory note, saying he was aware of the controversy and would work to deal with critics’ concerns. The chamber seeks to unite the community, rather than divide it, he said. The tourism board, which lost the contract, will meet next week to decide on the next move but it’s unlikely the board will disband, said Juanita Peckham, chair of the tourism board.
Saturday, Aug. 13, 3:30 p.m.
