Travel and Tourism board seeks to clarify bylaws

With the Hot Springs County Commissioners appointing Commissioner Phillip Scheel to the Hot Springs Travel and Tourism Board at their June 5 meeting, it raised some questions as to whether Scheel was able to serve on the board, as it was in direct conflict with Travel and Tourism’s articles of organization. The position to which Scheel was appointed was required to be filled by someone who is representative of the travel and tourism industry.

Travel and Tourism conducted a meeting with Scheel, who was in attendance with wife and business co-owner Shurie, on June 7 to further discuss their concerns and come to some form of resolution.

Phil said his intent was not to ruffle any feathers or “wiggle my way in.” When he learned that board member Rick Tudor did not submit an application, his first instinct was to call the Tudor, though he did not get an answer. Phil felt he had good experience with the board, having served on it as a liaison for the Thermopolis-Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Regarding his business, Tumbleweed Propane, Phil expressed his opinion that it is tourism-related. While they could go rounds about the definition of “tourism-related,” he said it was not his intention to fight his way onto a board “that doesn’t have any interest of me being here.”

Phil noted if his job of selling propane to tourists doesn’t meet the board’s definition of a tourism-related industry, language in the bylaws should be revised so that’s clear. As Phil is also a county commissioner, and the commission does appoint two members to the Travel and Tourism Board, he said a bit more direction would be helpful.

Shurie added it would be good to have a working definition of what a representative of the travel and tourism industry means. “To me that means anyone who is serving tourists and travelers in Hot Springs County, and we do that every day.”

Board member Kevin Skates said he doesn’t think Phil or the other commissioners should be on the board. “It’s nothing against you,” he told Phil, further explaining he didn’t like the idea of any commissioner or town council member on the board, as they are appointing people. As the commissioners and town council are already representative of the community, Skates said they should appoint others to broaden the variety of people on the board.

Travel and Tourism Director Amanda Moeller said the board’s working definition, which should be an amendment to the bylaws, is that travel and tourism is “accommodation, food and beverage, recreation and retail shopping so far as gifts and souvenirs.”

Board President Angie Guyon added tourism is the business of attracting, accommodating and entertaining tourists. “Tumbleweed propane provides a service to people, whether they be tourists or community members. My hairdresser probably cuts as many hairs for tourists as you guys sell propane to. The grocery store sells as many groceries to those tourists as you sell propane to. That does not qualify them as a representative of travel and tourism.”

Board member Carl Leyba said he has no problem with Phil coming on as a liaison from the chamber, but he was concerned that appointing Phil to Travel and Tourism would set a precedent that could come back to bite them.

Phil said there is the idea that the same people are involved with everything, and it would be great to follow Skates’ example and have broader representation. In this case, he said, there was no other person so he volunteered and was appointed.

Guyon noted there have been seats on the board that have sat open for a long time and it was the preference to leave them open until a qualified travel and tourism representative submits an application. Skates added there have been times when the board has actively sought qualified people to fill vacancies.

Shurie, reading through the bylaws, pointed out whoever made the appointment has to rescind it. “You guys don’t honestly have the power to remove him,” she told the Travel and Tourism Board, noting he has to take it back to the county commission and either resign or remove himself.

Moeller said it is the board that decides whether to pursue that option. “If Phillip doesn’t want to resign on his own,” she said, “this board can vote to send a letter to the county commission,” requesting his removal.

Shurie continued Phil did not want to be on the board, and only did it because nobody else was stepping up. Guyon said there were several applications for appointment to the board that were received by the Thermopolis Town Council, and questioned why the county commission didn’t wait to hear the final results of the council meeting before moving forward.

At the town meeting, Leyba was re-appointed to the board, though council had also received an application from Jennifer Fisher. Skates suggested if Fisher were to submit an application to the county commission she could be appointed.

Phil said he’s not trying to make anyone mad, but he did feel “roughed up” that he was being depicted as some kind of villain trying to infiltrate the Travel and Tourism Board. He still plans to attend meetings as the chamber liaison. He also agrees with Shurie that it is up to him or the commissioners to remove him. Going forward as a commissioner, he said it’s important to understand what the board wants in the appointed members.

Phil also pointed out if Leyba were elected as a county commissioner it would again cause issues. Skates suggested amending the bylaws to state no elected officials could be appointed to the board. He added it’s nothing against anyone elected, but helps to clean up the bylaws and, hopefully, gets more people involved.

Guyon asked if Phil’s decision would be to resign from the board and appoint a different applicant. Phil said he didn’t appreciate the push for an answer at the meeting. Ultimately, he noted, he’s currently on the board but won’t probably be this time next month.