Three Hot Springs businessmen have applied for an open seat on the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission.
The open seat, Position 6, was formerly held by local businessman Tom Daniel, a former city director who died in November after a lengthy battle with cancer. The term expires July 31, 2019.
The open seat is available to any qualified elector in the city of Hot Springs who is an owner or manager of a hotel, restaurant or tourism business located within the city limits.
The three applicants are Tom Wilkins, entertainment business manager of the Five Star Dinner Theatre; Michael Pettey, owner of the Ohio Club and a souvenir shop; and Robert Raines, owner of The Gangster Museum of America. All three businesses are located in downtown Hot Springs.
Wilkins, who has applied 12 times for a position on the ad commission, submitted a 10-page application, complete with a table of contents, letters of support, and photographs of his contributions to the community, including two projects he assisted through fundraising, the Fallen Hero Memorial and the Garland County Veterans Memorial and Military Park.
Wilkins' application touts his role as a "catalyst for an unlimited amount of exciting projects," notably as the founder and president of The Arkansas Walk of Fame.
Included in the application are letters of support from County Judge Rick Davis, state Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-District 24, and state Sen. Alan Clark, R-District 13, who says that Wilkins' "many accomplishments and accolades exemplify his contributions to tourism."
"My experience in tourism for 31 years will aid the community to some fresh creative ideas for future ways to grow the industry," Wilkins said on the application form.
Pettey's application says he has owned multiple businesses in Hot Springs since 1985, and has been in business with the Ohio Club since 2010.
Pettey has served on the board of directors of The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and on the Historic District Commission.
In answer to the question of why he desires to serve on the commission, Pettey says, "to help promote Hot Springs."
Raines, on his application, states that he is qualified to serve because "I have promoted Hot Springs for the past 10 years in all forms of media, have authored a book about Hot Springs history, and am coproducing a television series about Hot Springs history. I have had many public speaking engagements regarding Hot Springs history and have appeared on every TV network as well as radio and newspapers in America and abroad."
Raines lists his community service as including the Garland County Historical Society, Downtown Lions Club, Arkansas Travel Council, Arkansas Tourism Development Foundation, and Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.
Raines says he thinks he can "add a voice to the commission that no one else in this area can fulfill due to my experiences and business relations outside the city."
The seven-member commission administers the collection and expenditure of the city's 3-cent tax on prepared food and lodging for the purpose of promoting Hot Springs, and also oversees operation of the Hot Springs Convention Center.
The commission selects its own members, but the selection must be ratified by the Hot Springs Board of Directors.
Local on 02/21/2017