OTTAWA — As the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce takes over the tourism efforts on behalf of the county this week, chamber and county officials have been scrambling to keep volunteers at the Visitors Information Center happy. Many volunteers were angered by the county commission’s action in taking the tourism contract away from the Franklin County Convention and Visitors board late last year. Because volunteers have a crucial role in operating the Visitors Information Center in eastern Ottawa, county and chamber officials have tried to placate the volunteers. County administrator Derek Brown told county commissioners Wednesday that the chamber will keep Susan Rader as the manager of the Visitors Information Center. Rader was popular with many of the volunteers and Brown expressed hope that will mollify them and encourage them to continue volunteering at the center.
Saturday, Jan. 7, 3 p.m.
