By NATALIE JOHNSON ceived seven proposals for tourism vor of the contract.
natalie@masoncounty tom promotion services. The board in- "It's an exciting time for tour-
torviewed three applicants and ism," she said.
The Mason County Board of recommended Blue Collar. The commission also voted
Commissioners voted 2-1 Tues- /k r the discovery process is unanimously Tuesday to ap-
day to begin working with an completed in January, Blue Col- prove 32,500 in lodging tax
Oregon-based company to pro- lar will present a proposal for funding for 2015 festivals.
mote tourism in Mason County. future tourism development in The board approved $5,000
The beard approved an the county, for Allyn Days and the Geoduck
$8,665 contract with Blue Col- "I think dividing this up is Festival, $6,500 for the Hood
lar Interactive, LLC, of Hood kind of unusual," Sheldon said. Canal Highland Celtic Festival,
River, Oregon. Commissioner Randy Neath- $5,000 for Bluegrass from the
Commissioner Tim Sheldon erlin said the discovery process Forest, $5,000 for the Mason
voted against the proposal, would give Blue Collar a chance County Forest Festival, $2,500
The contract covers a "dis- to get to know Mason Countyfor the Taste of Hood Canal,
covery process," which includes before developing a tourism pro- $2,000 for Pumpkinfest, $2,000
two visits from Blue Collar staff motion plan. for the Traveler Days Arts Cel-
to Mason County to see possible "If there's a problem, it's go- ebration and $4,500 for the Ma-
tourist destinations and to meet ing to show up in this phase," he son County Rodeo.
with local businesses and orga- said. The commission also ap-
nizations. North Mason Chamber Di- proved up to $18,600 for staff
The county's Lodging Tax rector and LTAC board member support for the Lodging Tax Ad-
Advisory Committee (LTAC) Stephanie Rowland spoke in fa- visory Committee.
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 - Mason County Journal - Page A-11
GET YOUR GULLS IN A ROW
Journal photo by Dave Pierik
A trio of gulls stand near the Port of Hoodsport dock just
as the sun goes down on Friday afternoon.
By NATALIE JOHNSON
nata/ie@masoncounty com
Mason County government
will not have a role in future
county fairs.
"If anything is brought for-
ward, the county can't run it,"
Commissioner Randy Neath-
erlin said.
The Mason County Board
of Commissioners voted Tues-
day to repeal chapter 2.8 of its
county code, which addresses
the "Mason County Conven- that money into law enforce-
tion Center and Fair." ment or some other service,"
The county terminated Commissioner Tim Sheldon
its 50-year lease of the Port said.
of Shelton's fairgrounds The commissioners called
property three years early the move a "housekeeping"
in 2009, and the port closed vote.
the fairground permanently "A fair is a community ef-
Oct. 31. fort, and it is more and more
Neatherlin said that the so a private effort," said Corn-
fair cost the county hundreds missioner Terri Jeffreys. "It
of thousands of dollars to run means people have to step up
each year. and help them as opposed to
"I think it was better to put throwing rocks at them."
"|f anything is brought forward, the
ceaaty can't run it,"
Randy Neatherlin, Mason County commissioner, on the
fairgrounds' future role with the county
0
AUTO CENTER
SECOND ANNUAL
99
The holidays are upon us and there are many families
in our community in need of food!
Join with us to help fill this need bydonating
non-perishable food items!
HELP US FII,L A FORD!
Food will be donated to our local area food banks.
Donate soups, cereals, boxed dinners, desserts, jeUo,
pudding, canned meats, tuna fish, peanut butter,
canned vegetables.
W. 180 HULBERT RD. SHELTON
i 360-426-5585
m
@goodwillwa /goodwillwa goodwillwa.org
D()NATI()NS \VILI. BE ACCEPTED UNTIL 12/15/14
