The council voted 5-1 Tuesday to ask the county Board of Commissioners to revamp the board to allow the extra appointee. Council President Mike Brickner, R-At-large, cast the sole no vote. Andy Bozak, R-At-large, was absent.from the tourism board amid controversy over the sudden resignation of former Executive Director Lorelei Weimer and paying her aThe four applicants for his replacement were Councilman Andy Vasquez, R-4th; Cameron Wild; Ryan Peters; and George Romero.
Council attorney Harold Harper said six members of the tourism board must have some industry experience. If any of the council members is qualified and wants to serve, it’s Vasquez, Stone said. “I personally would like to get this done,” Brickner said. “I don’t know who we’re going to find to serve more effectively than Councilman Vasquez.”“I don’t dispute that. I don’t disagree with it at all,” Brickner said.
Harper said he reviewed both state law and the council ordinance regarding the tourism board and didn’t see anything that prevents a council member from serving on it. “I think it’s more of a political question.”