Do we have designated positions for specific local businesses on our appointed boards? It sure looks like it, at least for Wild Adventures.

5.a. Valdosta/Lowndes County Conference Center and Tourism Authority

At the Work Session 10 June 2013 County Manager Joe Pritchard said Commissioners had a letter of resignation from Bob Montgomery from VLCCCTA, and a letter (he didn’t say from whom) recommending Molly Deese to replace Montgomery. Pritchard said Deese had been “filling in” for Montgomery at VLCCCTA. Interesting. So Wild Adventures can send someone unappointed to fill in on an appointed board?

He didn’t say who Deese is, but she is Vice President and General Manager of Wild Adventures.

Montgomery was the previous General Manager of Wild Adventures, since the end of 2007. They previously appointed Bob Montgomery 11 January 2011. According to the minutes of the 10 January 2011 Work Session,

Commissioner Evans added she felt Moody Air Force Base should be represented. Commissioner Raines commented that with regards to the expired seat, Mr. Montgomery would be a good choice since Wild Adventures is the single, largest tourist attraction in Lowndes County.

Apparently this is the Wild Adventures slot on VLCCCTA. As we’ve seen with KLVB 12 February 2013, a Wild Adventures candidate for a board doesn’t even need to show up to get appointed.

To her credit, Ms. Deese did appear and speak.

I am the General Manager of Wild Adventures, and I have been in that role since October of 2012. And really the relationship that I’ve had with the Tourism Authority is really working closely to help bring tourism to Valdosta. And really working closely with Tim Riddle and and the other individuals. Being involved with the community; really spending time to understand more about the different aspects of our tourism.

Riddle is the Executive Director of VLCCCTA.

There were no questions, but Commissioner Crawford Powell said:

I just want to thank you for being willing to serve. We kind of identified a slot on the Conference Center for Wild Adventures because of the impact that you guys have on the region, and I want to thank you for being willing to step in and assist and to serve and be a part of it.

In what set of minutes is this “kind of identified” recorded?

Deese thanked Powell.

Here’s Part 1 of 2:

Molly Deese for Convention Center and Tourism Authority Part 1 of 2:
Work Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 10 June 2013.

At the Regular Session 11 June 2013, Molly Deese did not speak to the public. With no discussion, the Commission unanimously appointed Ms. Deese to VLCCCTA.

Here’s Part 2 of 2:

Molly Deese for Convention Center and Tourism Authority Part 2 of 2:
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 11 June 2013.

Of course, the Commission could just put the names of applicants in the agenda, and they could put written applications for same online with the agenda like Effingham County, with half the population of Lowndes, does.

-jsq

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