Tourism tops city discussion
25.06.2009, 10:01
Tourism, the proposed prison and what’s coming next for the Granbury Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) were key issues for city council candidates Tuesday morning at a debate sponsored by the Historic Granbury Merchants Association.
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Granbury bed and breakfast owner Ron Bleeker moderated the event. Council candidates included Place 4 incumbent Lisa Johnson and her opponent Larry Brockman, and Place 6 candidate Mike Meador and his opponent Mickey Parson. Each candidate started the debate with 90 seconds to answer questions, but the time later thinned to 60-seconds.
It was noted early in the debate that out of the state’s 254 counties, seven lost ground in tourism – one was Hood County.
All candidates said tourism is a primary focus in their campaign. They also agreed that with a new CVB director on the horizon, now is a good time to consider making possible changes in the CVB that will help promote tourism.
The candidates suggested an auxiliary board made up of merchants and others to give the CVB input. Johnson emphasized the city needs to budget more money to the CVB so the department can do more city promotions.
"Tourism is our number one product," Meador said.
But Johnson said the news of diminished tourism shouldn’t be too alarming.
"Don’t give up on Granbury," Johnson said. "We’re coming back as a serious tourism entity."
Johnson expressed concern that the bed tax (the taxes collected when someone rents a room at a hotel or bed and breakfast) was down for the past two years. She said the bed tax was growing consistently since 1982.
All of the candidates agreed that a key to increasing tourism in Granbury is bringing more events to the city that will generate overnight guests. One of the things they discussed to help that happen is lowering the permit fee, which is currently $1,300.
Part of the tourism discussion included the proposed conference center. While three candidates proposed building the conference center soon, in it’s proposed Pearl Street location, Parson suggested another location.
"I think the best place for us to develop a conference center is the First United Methodist Church," Parson said.
Meador said he didn’t think the city needed to bail the school out of their purchase.
Candidates were also questioned about what is economic development and what does it include and exclude.
"It’s every phase of business," Brockman said. "Every aspect of business is economic development."
The candidates also shared their thoughts on the proposed prison on Granbury.
All four city council candidates shot the idea down.
"The tourism it would bring isn’t the tourism we’re looking for," Parson said.
And the debate couldn’t be complete without some discussion about the infamous trolley.
Some candidates suggested having the trolley make stops at area bed and breakfasts and take people downtown. Johnson suggested that a more dependable schedule might help generate public interest.
"It’s embarrassing to see the trolley run-around empty," Johnson said.
Brockman said he doesn’t like to see it traveling the Granbury streets empty either.
"Let’s stop the waste of money," Brockman said.
Early voting is between April 20 to May 3, with elections held May 7.