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Chairman Eggert continued to stress that one of the biggest <br />jobs the Chamber of Commerce has is tourism. The Council of 100 <br />and Economic Development factor is equally important and working <br />just as hard but parallel to it. Tourism is a big economic plus <br />in this community as is the Theatre and the Center for the Arts. <br />Commissioner Wheeler agreed that the Chamber has done an <br />outstanding job, but he could not support a full time director. <br />Chairman Eggert noted that, in other words, he is saying <br />take the $25,000 plus benefits intended for the director and put <br />it back for parking. <br />Commissioner Scurlock believed that is an absolutely con- <br />servative approach. Some counties take a very Liberal approach <br />as to where they put these monies, and he felt our group should <br />be commended on how conservatively we spend these dollars. <br />Interested citizen, William Koolage, stated that what he is <br />hearing in the community is that there is money available and it <br />is going to be spent somehow or other, and that is not a good <br />attitude. There is a feeling that there are organizations in <br />this community that are charged with certain things. The Center <br />for the Arts, the Theatre, etc., are directed towards the arts, <br />and they are raising money in the community for those kind of <br />things. The Chamber of Commerce is supported mainly by <br />businesses that derive the benefits, and they should be contribu- <br />ting. Mr. Koolage believed that the community is also worried <br />about the 15 year 14 sales tax, and there is some concern that if <br />money is available, it will be spent and possibly not as <br />cautiously as it should be. <br />Commissioner Wheeler noted that the Chamber is a diverse <br />group that serves many aspects. One of the boards of the Chamber <br />Us set up to deal with nothing but tourism and to get people to <br />stay in the hotels, motels, etc., to create the revenue to get to <br />this Council; it is not just downtown businesses they are <br />concerned with. He felt there may be some misunderstanding about <br />the Chamber's responsibilities. <br />JUN 2 61990 39 BOOK S" AOUF O <br />