MiddletownJournal.com

MIDDLETOWN — A misunderstanding led to the Middletown Convention and Visitors Bureau board to ratify a previous vote for a Web site subscription.

The board met Thursday, Feb. 26, to hear former CVB president Sam Ashworth explain how the misunderstanding took place.

Ashworth told the board that an e-mail was sent out seeking the thoughts of the members on a community calendar Web design paid for by Ann Mort, and that board members responded.

However, when the meeting minutes were recorded, it stated Ashworth "reported that the board had agreed by e-mail to fund a year's subscription" for the Web site administered by Mort.

Mort was appointed to the CVB board by Middletown City Council in December and was elected its president.

Ohio law requires all votes of public boards to be done in an open meeting.

Because of the discrepancy, city Law Director Les Landen instructed the board to ratify the previous vote and said Mort could not participate in that portion of the meeting.

Landen said that city boards and commissions would be updated on the Ohio Open Meetings Law to avoid future misunderstandings.

City Manager Judy Gilleland also informed the board that Mort is not receiving any revenue from the Web site nor its agreement.

Ashworth also said minutes from the December meeting were incorrect because he did not resign. He said his term expired and he chose not to seek another term on the board.

The board unanimously ratified the previous vote and amended the previous minutes to reflect the correct information.

After the vote, Ashworth joked, "I won't be accepting e-mails from any other people on the board."

CVB 'rainy day' fund

The board also held a short discussion on how it could use some of the $120,000 it has saved up for special projects.

Mort gave a long list of ideas that included a public address system or permanent lights for Smith Park, flags and other decorations for downtown, operating the electronic sign near Interstate 75 and other signage.

"You have some money, I have some ideas," Gilleland said who suggested advertising on city buses and promotional items such as pins, mugs and water bottles the city could give out during special events.

She also made a pitch for the CVB to consider becoming a partner with other organizations to fund a full-time coordinator to help revitalize downtown. However, that person would not be a city employee. Gilleland said she is hoping for the CVB to be a partner in funding the position for at least two years.

The board said it would discuss the matter at its March meeting.