By Susan Salyer
On Monday August 15, 2022 the Lawrence County Fiscal Court had a Regularly Scheduled Monthly Meeting at the Fred M Vinson Museum in Louisa, Kentucky at 5:30PM.
LC Tourism Chairman Wes Kingsmore was in attendance with Secretary Susie Chambers, Treasurer Brenda Hardwick, members Keith Chaffin, Chris Jobe and Debbie Hill. Rita Parker was absent. Also attending were LC Economic Development director Vince Doty and Louisa Mayor Harold Slone.
The group spent two hours going over recent business, especially their financial reporting and budget. In order to qualify for a one time $43,000 tourism grant from the state mainly for advertising, the commission has to have a state approved, balanced budget which they have ten more days to complete. The application has already been filed, Doty said.
AGENDA
1. Blessing
2. Special Guests – None
Old Business
3. Approval of July 2022 Minutes – Motion Brenda Hardwick 2nd by Keith Chaffin. No discussion. None opposed.
4. Approval of May and June Financial Report – Motion by Keith Chaffin 2nd by Susie Chambers. No discussion. None opposed
New Business
Budget Discussion and Approval 2022 – Lengthy discussion on Budget for 2022. Budget was Tabled. None opposed.
LC Chairman Wes Kingsmore discussed many topics with the Tourism Commission.
- “OPEN MIC” This Thursday night (8-18-22) at Louisa City Park Stage sponsored by Lawrence County Tourism Commission. TEXT 681-203-7850. To REGISTER FOR OPEN MIC VISIT LCKY.COM COME OUT FOR GAMES, FOOD, AND LIVE MUSIC! ….
- Grant Application Funds for $43,000 available to Lawrence County, Kentucky through ARPA (AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT) ….
- Tourism Commission discussed Pie Week and Burger Week were ‘successful’…
- Inventory lists need to be completed and will raise cash for Tourism…
- Discussion by Mayor Harold Slone of market type event in downtown area in cooperation with OVP to begin selling produce, honey, and many other items. The back portion of the OVP Building where there are several containers may be used in the program with OVP, Slone said.
- Coming Soon in Downtown Louisa! …The Tourism Commission also discussed having a Tourism Video of Lawrence County Coming Soon!…They did not say who will star in the show.
- LC Economic Development director Vince Doty discussed “The Cove” which can be rented for $300 1/2 Day or All-Day around $800 GREAT FOR PARTIES!….
- Septemberfest t-shirts can be ordered HERE http://louisaseptemberfest2022.itemorder.co/
- …and finally discussed Sprint Car Motorsports that will be held in Lawrence County but not on the Fairgrounds. A new trail is being developed for motorcycles and sports cars that includes part of Lawrence County.
Lawrence County Tourism Minutes July 2022
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary
“…The Lawrence County Tourism Committee met on Monday July 18, 2022 at the Fred Vinson Tourism office. Members in attendance were Wes Kingsmore, Keith Chaffin, Chris Jobe, Rita Parker, Debbie Hill, Brenda Hardwick and Susie Chambers. Others present were Tamra New, Harold Sone and Vince Doty. And one very special guest NOAH THOMPSON! Wes opened the meeting with prayer.
The June minutes were approved with a motion by Rita and a second by Brenda, the June financial report showed a balance of $45,092.03. It was approved with a motion by Susie and a second by Keith.
Under new business we had a request from Blainefest to help with the music. ‘From the Hills’ will be the entertainment. Susie made a motion to donate $1,000.00 for this event with a second by Keith. Alex Miller will be the main act at the Lawrence County Fair. We had already approved a $6,000.00 donation so no motion was needed. On the morning of September 10th we will have a Lawrence County/Louisa Kayak Event. Professional kayakers will be participating. This will be called the Race to the Point. Brenda made a motion to donate up to $1,000.00 with a second by Chris. There will be a BBQ Cook Off on August 13th at the Louisa City Park. With a motion by Keith and a second by Rita we approved to sponsor this event for up to $1,000.00. We also spent some time working on our budget.
A good portion of our meeting was chatting with Noah as he brought us up to date about how his career is moving along. He told us he would be playing in Nashville the following week and working on writing new songs. We all enjoyed his visit. He also said he will be performing at Septemberfest this year.
Harold told us the tentative schedule for Septemberfest. Friday night will showcase Bobby Cyrus and wife Teddy, Larry Cordle, Noah Thompson and headliner Ricky Skaggs. Saturday night will feature Luke Trimble, Adam Chaffin and wife Britt, Laidback and Honey, Luna & The Mountain Jetts plus a headliner yet to be announced. He said this will be our biggest and best festival ever.
With no further business our meeting was adjourned with a motion by Susie and a second by Debbie.
Our next meeting is scheduled for August 15th at 5:30 pm at the Fred Vinson Tourism Office.”
###
Lawrence County Tourism Commission
Treasurers Report
May, 2022
For Month Ending 6/30/2022
Balance Forward………………….…..$46,807.03
Deposits………………….…………..…..$20,412.07
Checks…………………………………….$11,622.00
Debit Card activity…………………….….$375.50
Balance……………………………………$55,221.60
Trail Town Budget (deduct)…………..$1,715.00
Outstanding check #1031……………….$250.00
Balance…………………………………….$53,256.60
Trail Town Operating Budget is currently $1,715.00 ($1,250.00 designated to
McClure Branch Project and $465 to other activities) $160.00 was spent for signs
for walk/runs/bike events sponsored by Tourism or Trail Town.
Submitted by Brenda Hardwick
7-20-2022
###
Lawrence County Tourism Commission
Treasurer’s Report
June, 2022
For Month Ending 7/31/2022
Balance Forward…….………………………….……….$55,221.60
Deposits……………………………………………..……….$4,597.44
Checks……………………………………………………….$29,455.71
Debit Card Activity….…………………………….………..$1,125.43
Balance…….……………………………………….………..$29,237.90
Trail Town Budget (deduct)….………………….……….$1,715.00
Balance from Grant Money not used (deduct)…..$2,250.00
Music in The Park (deduct)…..…………………………$3,000.00
Outstanding checks (deduct)….………………………$6,926.52
Balance……………………………………………………….$15,346.38
Trail Town Operating Budget is currently $1,715.00 ($1,250.00 designated to
McClure Branch Project and $465 to other activities) $160.00 was spent for signs
for walk/runs/bike events sponsored by Tourism or Trail Town.
Submitted by Brenda Hardwick
8-12-2022
You’re doing an awesome job Wes.
I’m offended. Why isn’t Tyler gonna be there? What about Kelsey May? I’m offended.
It says headliner to be announced for Saturday…… Could be Tyler…. You can’t have anything nice around here without people B*tchin’ and Moanin’. It really is a sad world we live in. If you gave these people a million dollars, they’d want to know why you didn’t give them two million…
I wish they’d get a large outdoor digital bulletin board to let everyone know what events are coming up. Not everyone has social media. Maybe it could be installed on the front of the old courthouse or somewhere in the plaza. I think more people would show up to event turnouts. The board could be maintained by businesses paying a fee to advertise on it. Just a thought.
Kelsey who ????
Exactly, she got a little to big for her britches real fast if you know what I mean. She did the old crash and burn. Never made it, ain’t gonna make it.
No reason to be mean. She tried. She’s still young. People are so negative anymore.
What happen to Tyler Childers?? Was really looking forward to hearing his music,If not mistaken he was to be here/ that really changes things up😢
Whoever mows the Town Hill Cemetery please mow Fred M. Vinson’s grave. Was there this weekend with a relative visitor and drove by looking at the county fair grounds. Saw the Vinson grave and was shocked and embarressed. Shamful three foot grass.
It’s horrible.