LC TOURISM READY FOR CHRISTMAS 2023 AND THE NEW YEAR OF EVENTS IN 2024…
By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Tourism Meeting had a Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting on Monday, December 18, 2023 at Louisa City Hall, 315 E. Madison Street, Fred M. Vinson Museum, Downtown 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky at 5:30PM. LC Tourism Commissioner Wes Kingsmore was in attendance along with members Brenda Hardwick, Debbie Hill, Susie Chambers, Chris Jobe and Christy Moore.
Country Christmas
The Tourism Committee discussed the event for Country Christmas. Brenda Hardwick stated that there were 500 people in attendance which included 300 kids. Every child received a stocking and goodie bags from local churches including pizza, chicken nuggets and hotdogs with drinks for eat-in or take-out. Hardwick stated that Outreach Church in Huntington, West, Virginia was in attendance with 4 missionaries from Africa and Dubai.
Christmas Decoration Contest
LC Tourism will host the Christmas Decoration Contest and Ken Akers, Owner of Rebel River Outfitters purchased trophies for the event. There are 18 entrants for the contest, no businesses have signed up. Judging will be Wednesday, December 20, 2023.
Simple Budget
Kingsmore stated that the budget has been prepared and will be an estimate for the year 2024. Total income including grants for 2023 was $96,200 Kingsmore will present the LC Tourism Budget to the LC Fiscal Court for approval on Tuesday December 19, 2023.
November Minutes and Financials
The November 2023 Minutes were passed unanimously with a Motion by Chris Jobe 2nd by Brenda Hardwick. None Opposed. The November Financials were passed unanimously with a Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Christy Moore. None Opposed.
Janie Kegley Marcum to oversee events and music
The LC Tourism Committee has nominated Janie Kegley Marcum to oversee events and music. Motion by Chris Jobe 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
Fuller Station Trail
Wes Kingsmore stated that they are planning to start the Fuller Station Trail on Route 3398. Kingsmore wanted to Thank the LC Employees for clearing brush and briars for the Trail to be started on.
AGENDA
1. Opening Prayer
2. Call to Order
3. Special Guests – None listed
Old Business
4. Country Christmas Update – Brenda Hardwick gave an update on this event.
⁃ Christmas Decoration Contest – Tourism Discussion and Planning.
⁃ Simple Budget – Motion to approve Tourism Budget by Brenda Hardwick 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed. Kingsmore will present to LC Fiscal Court for approval on December 19, 2023.
5. Approval of November 2023 Minutes – Motion by Chris Jobe 2nd by Brenda Hardwick. None Opposed.
6. Approval of November 2023 Financial Report – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Christy Moore. None Opposed.
New Business
7. Discuss Fred M. Vinson Birthday in January- Tourism discussed Fred M. Vinson’s birthday coming in January 2024. They have decided to support the Fred M. Vinson Museum and celebrate National Fred Day in April 2024.
8. Public Comments and Adjourned – Motion to Adjourn by Chris Jobe 2nd by Brenda Hardwick.
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The next LC Tourism Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting will be on Monday January 15, 2023 at the Fred M. Vinson Museum, Downtown 2nd Floor, 315 E. Madison Street, Louisa, Kentucky at 5:30 PM
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Lawrence County Tourism Minutes, November 20, 2023
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 5:30 pm at the Fred Vinson Tourism Office. Members in attendance were Wes Kingsmore, Thomas Bradley, Christy Moore, Chris Jobe, Debbie Hill and Susie Chambers. Others in attendance were Vince Doty, Joey Moore and Susan Salyer.
The meeting was called to order by Wes and he also gave the opening prayer. The October minutes were read and approved with a motion by Chris and a second by Debbie. The October financial report showed a balance of $17,771.26. A motion was made by Susie with a second by Debbie to accept the report as presented.
Under old business Wes reported that the Storybook Trail opening was a successful event. The children didn’t attend due to the threat of rain but several showed up and most stayed and walked the trail. The Saddle Club and Fiscal Court were very helpful working on the trails and preparing for Trail Day. The Flex E grant is due on December 8. A motion was made by Susie with a second by Chris for Thomas to pursue, as a collaboration with others, to apply for the grant. Wes also reported that he attended the EHN meeting at Sandy’s Gaming earlier in the day.
Under new business we discussed purchasing a blow up start/ finish and a time clock. With a motion by Susie and a second by Christy we voted to spend up to $500 for these two items. Also we voted to buy crayons and coloring books to give out at the Country Christmas party on Dec. 2. The motion was made by Debbie with a second by Susie to spend up to $150 for this event. The Christmas parade is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 30 at 6 pm. There will be a Christmas decoration contest for business and residential. Ken Akers has purchased trophies for the winners. With a motion by Chris and 2nd by Thomas we voted to promote this contest. We will just be advertising and promoting on FB and our website. We plan to have a budget planning meeting on Monday, November 27th at 5:30 pm. With a motion by Thomas and a second by Susie we voted to pay Tyler Branham $550.00 for photos of the county. These dollars will come from our ARPA funds.
With no further business to come before the board Debbie made a motion to adjourn with a second by Chris.
Our next meeting will be on Monday, December 18 at 5:30 pm at the tourism office.
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Once they take the budget to the court, the ol judge will need to take his money off the top. That 96 thousand is gone.