CONNEAUT —
Conneaut’s Board of Tourism will consider a limited role with the tourist information office inside the Interstate 90 rest area should the state decide to pull the operation.
Connie Naylor, tourism board chairperson, said the group may be able to ensure pamphlets and brochures are available, but putting a person on site would be a challenge. “Right now the thought of staffing (the office) is a project bigger than we could maintain,” she said.
In January, a Columbus newspaper reported the Ohio Department of Transportation planned to pull its people from the 11 tourist information offices found across the state, mostly inside rest areas like the facility found on I-90 in Conneaut.
Conneaut’s interest in helping may be a moot point — for now. The tourist office in Conneaut remains open, staffed by one person, Brent Kovacs, spokesman for ODOT’s District 4, said Friday. He was unaware of any immediate plans to shut down the office.
Recently, City Council broached the subject of finding other workers to staff the office. At an economic development committee meeting last month, Ward 3 Councilman Richard McBride, at an economic development committee meeting last month, asked the value of having a human being on site.
“I don’t want to see the state spend too much or the city spend too much,” he said.
City Manager Tim Eggleston said it’s always better to “make a connection with people.”
“There are always options, and they don’t have to be expensive,” he said.
Last week, council approved a resolution opposing ODOT’s plan to remove workers from the office.
Meanwhile, Naylor said she has asked State Rep. John Patterson for clarification on what the tourism board can or cannot do at the tourist office. At the very least, the board could make sure travel information is neatly displayed in the office, she said.
“Members would be willing to help with that project,” Naylor said.
Any more than that could be a stretch. “It’s tough to get volunteers (to assist at community events),” she said.
Council also wondered if the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau would want to lend a hand if the office is vacated by the state. Mark Winchell, ACCVB executive director, was unavailable for comment Friday, but in January he said the travel offices are “vitally important to the tourism industry.”
“They are gateways to the state of Ohio,” he said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
WARREN DILLAWAY / Star Beacon VOLUNTEERS MAY help provide information at the Interstate 90 rest stop in Conneaut .
Discussion
Conneaut mulls limited role at I-90 tourist information office
- Local News
-
-
Ashtabula Brass Band presents free concert tonight
The Ashtabula Brass Band will present a free spring concert at 7 tonight in the auditorium at Kent State University Ashtabula.
-
Physicals today for Lakeside student-athletes
Any Lakeside High School or Lakeside Junior High School student-athletes who needs a physical can get one today during school hours.
-
Woman charged after stabbing boyfriend in arm
A Cherry Valley woman is being charged with felonious assault and domestic violence after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend Sunday night.
-
City to host Tire Amnesty Day June 1
The city will host Tire Amnesty Day on June 1 to help residents get rid of scrap tires, City Manager Jim Timonere said at Monday’s City Council meeting.
-
Final count begins for special election
The official outcome of the May 7 special election should be known by the end of the week.
-
White Turkey moving on without its beloved owner
Mother’s Day weekend saw the White Turkey Drive-In in Conneaut launch its 61st year in business, but nobody connected with the curbside restaurant felt like celebrating.
-
Bob Evans employee may face fraud charges
A Bob Evans employee could be facing fraud charges after allegedly engaging in a scheme to defraud customers through unauthorized use of their credit cards.
-
Kids injured in fire
Two children suffered minor second-degree burns in a kitchen fire downtown Monday, according to the Ashtabula Fire Department.
City firefighters said the fire sparked at 123 W. 43rd St. at about 11:15 a.m., the report said. -
Road closings
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Sill Road will be closed for railroad repair at the CSX Railroad crossing between Middle Road and Route 20 Wednesday through May 28.
-
Area motorcycle riders receive blessing for safe riding season
More than 20 are motorcycle riders received a blessing, Sunday, for a safe riding season.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ashtabula Brass Band presents free concert tonight
