Tourism Argument

Concerns continued...

Also note that we now have to pay the Chamber of Commerce fees -- if Tourism was with the Chamber as in the norm across the entire state (see document with cities/counties listed that successfully utilize their Chambers of Commerce) there would be no need for this:

02/13/07 -- 1/2 page ad -- 2007 visitor’s guide includes 15 percent discount
Paid to Sheboygan Cty. Chamber of Commerce
COST: $926.50

06/22/07 -- TASC Discover Wisc. 20th Annual special 2007 payment
Paid to Sheb. Cty. Chamber of Commerce
COST: $587.96

My only problem now is where to begin? I foresee this getting quite lengthy and pray you will take the time to read it all in spite of that fact, because there is much here that is highly questionable and requires serious consideration based on logic, not emotion. You, as a member of the Common Council, can right this wrong post haste if you so choose:

2.19 HOTEL AND MOTEL ROOM TAX (MC#509)
Distribution of Tax. Commencing with the calendar year 1991, the room tax collection shall be allocated as follows:

(1) The monies collected shall go into a special revenue fund to be used for recreational purposes and to promote economic development and tourism as determined by the common council.

(a) The common council shall evaluate all requests and/or suggestions for specific use of the special revenue fund in any of the categories in Section 2.19(3)(b)(1). (MC#920)

(b) The common council shall develop such policies as may be necessary to accept such request and/or suggestions. Policies, as derived, shall be submitted to the common council for approval. (MC#920)

(2) The Finance and Property Committee of the common council shall appropriate money from the special revenue fund for the requests and/or suggestions approved by the common council. (MC#920)

(c) The monies that have accumulated in the special revenue fund prior to and/or during each calendar quarter shall be allocated during the second month following the end of the calendar quarter, according to the appropriations approved by the common council under procedure allowed in 2.19(3)(b). This allocation may include funds to be used for a future named or unnamed project. The percentages in the three categories listed in Section 2.19(3)(b)(1) shall remain flexible to allow for variation from year to year as determined by the common council, but shall not be less than 3% for any one of the three categories. (MC#1003)

Resource: http://www.scls.lib.wi.us/mcmillan/cityguide/chapter02.pdf

When I began looking over the documents from the open records request, the first thing that caught my attention was the switch of the Tourism web site from the city server to Excel Net, Inc. where Kim Swisher’s husband then worked. From there it’s been an ongoing discovery process that has only served to raise more red flags and opens up a myriad of unanswered questions and suspicious behavior. Thus, that is where I’ll begin. Please continue in your order of choice using the links on the upper right. Thank you...

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