STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Glasgow-Barren County Tourist & Convention Commission Board of Directors chairman Byran Sorrell sent an email to local media Wednesday afternoon with a copy of a resolution the commission approved him to release. This comes after recent reporting of a possible dissolution of the partnership between the City of Glasgow and Barren County that presently forms the commission.
“With careful consideration and approval from the board we find it fitting to share with local news outlets the boards position related to the possible separation of the joint tourism commission,” Sorrell stated in the email.
Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd recently explained her reasoning for why Barren County should have its own tourism commission. MacLean Lessenberry, who is the tourism commission’s executive director, said she believed a split would not benefit the county or the city.
Read the full resolution from the board of directors below.
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RESOLUTION OF THE GLASGOW-BARREN COUNTY TOURISM COMMISSIONERS
Glasgow-Barren County Tourist & Convention Commission
Regarding the Continued Partnership and Participation of Barren County
WHEREAS, Glasgow-Barren County Tourist & Convention Commission has served the Glasgow-Barren County area for almost three decades, working in partnership with the City, County, tourism stakeholders, businesses, and community leaders to promote the area as a premier destination and to support economic development through tourism; and
WHEREAS, the success of this Commission has been built upon a spirit of collaboration, shared investment, mutual trust, and a longstanding commitment by the City and County to work together for the benefit of the community; and
WHEREAS, over the course of this partnership, Glasgow-Barren County Tourist & Convention Commission has developed programs, relationships, marketing efforts, state-level representation, and tourism initiatives that have contributed to the visibility and economic vitality of the community and have become an important part of the region’s tourism infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioners understand that the City of Glasgow and Barren County have a responsibility to carefully evaluate public input and make decisions in the best interest of their constituents; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioners also recognize that withdrawal from the Commission would create significant financial hardship for Glasgow-Barren County Tourist & Convention Commission and would substantially affect the organization’s ability to continue its work at the level and scope that the community has experienced; and
WHEREAS, the Commission believes that tourism promotion is most effective when the community speaks with a unified voice and when the City, County, tourism industry, and other hospitality partners continue to work collaboratively toward common goals; and
WHEREAS, the Commissioners value the longstanding relationship with Barren County and do not view the present circumstances as diminishing the importance of the partnership that has existed for more than three decades; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commissioners of Glasgow-Barren County Tourist & Convention Commission formally express a strong desire for Barren County to remain an active participant and partner in the Commission;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commissioners respectfully urge the Barren County Fiscal Court to consider the long-term value of the partnership and the potential impact that withdrawal or a significant reduction in support could have on the Commission’s ability to fulfill its mission and continue providing the level of service and tourism promotion the community has come to rely upon;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commissioners express appreciation for almost three decades of partnership with Barren County and affirm the belief that the community is best served when its public and private partners continue to work together in the spirit of cooperation that has characterized this relationship for generations.
ADOPTED by the Commissioners of Glasgow-Barren County Tourist & Convention Commission this 11th day of August,
Byran Sorrell
Chair, Glasgow-Barren County Tourist & Convention Commission
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