Email to City Council about the Main Street Program

 This was my message to the St. Helns City Council about an agenda item for the council work session on October 7, 1:00 p.m.:

Council Members:

I am teaching again (from home) and I will not be able to participate in the council work session, but I wanted to make a few comments about the Main Street Program and tourism..

I  heard Sheri Stewart's report and recommendations for SHEDCO on two occasions. The first was at the August SHEDCO Board meeting and the second was watching the recording of her report to the council in September. I believe that her proposal to reconstitute the SHEDCO board, create an MOU between the City and the restructured SHEDCO board and to have the City dedicate money to pay for a part-time executive director deserves serious consideration. I do not recall if Sheri said this during the council meeting, but I did note in her comments to the SHEDCO board, that she said city funds dedicated to tourism can be spent on SHEDCO to pay for the part-time executive director.

As far as tourism is concerned, Sheri made comments about how the City might review its approach to tourism.  I recall that Mayor Scholl expressed at the council session thr idea of having a meeting of stakeholders including SHEDCO, the Chamber of Commerce, CCET and others to discuss tourism in St. Helens. I think that this is a worthwhile idea and fully support it.

Thank you for your consideration of my thoughts.

SHEDCO: St. Helens Economic Development Corpration, a nonprofit.

CCET: Columbia County Economic Team.

South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce