The County CVB was discussed once again and a revision in the CVB board make-up will be made to eliminate the rule of three representatives from the lodging industry as at the moment no one is interested.

Tony Barr an owner of Buckeye Jakes (restaurant) was appointed to the CVB board.  My guess is that given the overall way this commission has handled and interfered with the CVB issue that Shawnda Combs will soon be appointed. 

Bob Stonecash motioned to give the CVB $5,000 to “get up and running”. The motion passed 3 -0. The County CVB could use the money and it was a nice thing for the commission to do. This type of gesture should have been made last May and it would have shown some commitment from the county.  

Let’s review…

The power grab by the ED director and this commission has resulted in New Paris and Israel Township justifiably naming their own CVB’s.  How did this issue go so wrong?  The short answer is Shawnda Combs but this commission let her. On May 4, 2011 Shawnda showed up with people from three non-profits extolling the benefits of raising the sales tax on Preble County lodging to 13%, a level higher than competition in Oxford and Richmond. The ED director had never mentioned the tax to anyone in the lodging industry but somehow showed up with three people associated with nonprofits that would not have to collect the tax.

It didn’t end there. Here is an email sent by Shawnda to Jefferson Township officials.

Here is the definition of extortion.  

Shawnda Combs to my knowledge has never set foot on my property. I called her last spring and offered to advertise the Bridges, Bikes and Blues on my websites at no charge – I did so and delivered on my offer.  Last fall, after talking to local lodging leadership it became clear that despite Shawnda’s claims – no rooms were rented for the event at any of the properties because of the event and all the lodging properties opposed the tax.

Bob’s motion passed with the justification being a previous comment by Shawnda Combs that every dollar spent on tourism promotion results in a $13 return. That is a figure put out by Ohio, a Virginia report drops the return to a $5 return for every $1 spent.  Marketing firms promote the numbers and they become internet fact.  I don’t know that any of the figures can be believed and will give an example of using information provided on the web. (Yes, I realize that comment will draw a chuckle from the commission as they think of this website. This website is based on the county commission’s official audio record as noted by the commission and as such I can’t help it if their record is laughable.)  The point is that these reports are done as a justification to levy, maintain or increase taxes. Taking money out of people's pocket does not find them with more money to spend.  It grows government and the dependence on it.  Here is the report from www.freewebsitereport.org on the website developed by Shawnda Combs for the county www.preblecountyregion.com: Report on traffic.  I’ll go on record and say I believe there is traffic to the Preble county region website but as you can see the report shows not enough data to process, so it must be fact. Her county website “hits” claims are bogus and probably driven up by having county computers use the web account as a home page.

I’ll close by thanking the Commission for the $5,000 investment in the county CVB. If this commission believes the 13-1 return figure is accurate then perhaps they can hire employees to staff the county CVB and the county can reap huge sales tax returns and then spend more money on tourism and reap ever greater returns until the local banks have to build new vaults to hold all of the money. If the commission believes the figures then this will allow them to solve the loss of Local Government funds. The townships, villages and City of Eaton should hold them accountable for the promised financial return.

A 13-1 investment return dwarfs that promised by Bernie Madoff, he promised a 16% – 20% return.

This being government the claim is a 13 – 1 return.  

It helps explain Goose Creek.

Bernie was a piker; he could never make it as a Preble County Commissioner.

Preble County Commissioners

April 25, 2012

Three Commissioners in attendance

File 1

I. OPEN MEETING

II. CALL OF ROLL

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV. PRAYER

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE JOURNALIZATION & NOTE RECEIPT OF THE CD RECORDATION BOTH AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES FOR THE APRIL 18th REGULAR SESSION MEETING

VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS

AGREEMENTS & CONTRACTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AGREEMENT

RE: INVESTIGATION & BASELINE MONITORING OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS AGREEMENT W/ BROWN & CALDWELL – $19,415.00 – ENGINEER

B. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AGREEMENT

RE: HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN KAREN GINTER & SHETTER HEATING & COOLING – $8,509.00 – FY09 CHIP

4.4 Minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash on his attendance of the prior night Victim Witness – reported it was a good event, well attended.

End 14 minute mark on CD – 3.2 MB

File 2

CAROLYN FILSON & KARI ERICKSON – WELLNESS PROGRAM PRESENTATION

The Get More Information generic levitra only cure or medicine which can cause ED.

Planning for 2013 County Health Plan.

NOT REVIEWED – Audio provided.

1 hr. 27.8 minute mark on cd  

1 hr. 13.55 minutes – 16.9 MB

File 3

1 hr. 28.5 Minute mark    Connie – the clock is going to be delivered Monday morning at 10:00. Should be up within a couple hours.

Connie – Letter from Sue Cummings on Chad Hoke.

Commissioner Day reads nice letter into the record. Very complimentary of Chad.

1 hr. 32 Minute mark   Connie on CVB issue from Monday, amending of composition of CVB Board (Resolution 305). Short discussion on number of members to be included from hotel-motels and restaurants. Chris Day – Preference to business directly affected by commerce in Preble County.

1 hr. 38 minute mark on cd  

10.07 minutes – 2.31 MB

File 4

BID OPENINGS – 2012 RAISED PAVEMENT MARKERS & 2012 STRIPING PROGRAM – ENGINEER

NOT REVIEWED

1 hr. 49.7  minute mark on cd  

11.51 minutes – 2.71 MB

File 5

Chris Day – Resolution 306 the appointment of Tony Barr to County CVB.

1 hr. 50.5 Minute mark  Connie – Sinclair meeting on Monday, starts at 3:00.

1 hr. 52 Minute mark    Letter from County Engineer referencing employment Stan Garrett for summer help at hourly rate of $9.50 – will come out of drainage line item.

1 hr. 53 Minute mark   EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE EMPLOYMENT OF ONE NEW EMPLOYEE and ONE POSSIBLE PROMOTION

Exit.

1 hr. 54.75 Minute mark     Commissioner Stonecash – I have been thinking about the Convention and Visitors Bureau… proposes giving CVB some funding.  Proposes giving $5,000 to the County CVB.

Commissioner Wesler – offers his view and agrees with Bob. Seconds motion.

Commissioner Day – on any expectations for it from commission.

Commissioner Stonecash – …I think our Convention and Visitors Bureau is now in good hands.

Motion approved.

Short discussion on cleaning up some properties in the county.

Chris Day thinks new extension agent needs to be over here. Connie has call to schedule her in Monday.

ADJOURN

2 hr. 4.4 minute mark on cd  

14.44 minutes – 3.37 MB

The audio files will remain up for only a limited amount of time. If they are needed please email.