By ALEXANDRA NEWMAN

Members of the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission went on record Tuesday that they are opposed to a merger of Northwest Indiana tourism bureaus and support the current Indiana law providing for local control of innkeepers tax spending.

The resolution approved was in response to a campaign by Speros A. Batistatos, President and CEO of the Lake County tourism office, to merge the tourism bureaus of Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.

PCCRVC President Michael Scott said Lake County tourism has sent a letter to Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and individual members of the state legislature seeking consolidation of the three tourism bureaus.

“All three counties are so different,” he said. “We are totally different and would be remiss to promote the consolidation,” Scott said.

“The people I’ve talked to didn’t realize the attempt was being made,” said Judy Chaplin, PCCRVC member. “We need to tell our story.”

Member David Canright congratulated the board “for having restraint over the period of years (Batistatos) has been making defamatory remarks about PCCRVC.”

“He (Batistatos) should show his good faith by joining the” Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission (NITDC), “of which Lorelei Weimer is president,” Canright added.

Porter County works with seven other Northern Indiana tourism boards in the NITDC.

Each tourism bureau controls its respective area, but together saves money through cooperative advertising.

Weimer is the current president of that board.

Lake County was previously a member of NITDC but quit when Batistatos began the campaign to merge the Northwest Indiana bureaus.

PCCRVC plans to write a letter to Governor Mitch Daniels and let him know Porter County’s position in favor of local control.

South Shore Extension Pitched

In other business, Vince Galbiati of the Northwest Indiana Forum gave a presentation for the South Shore Expansion Line. No action was taken.

Also, the board approved an agreement to protect the signs in the rain garden and other signs in place at the Center.

Weimer reported that Roger Brooks, a community assessment consultant may be available to work with PCCRVC if approved for a grant made possible by the State. Weimer said eight communities will be selected by application process to share in the $15,000 set aside for his service. Brooks worked with Jackson Hole, Wyoming and helped it establish its reputation for art.

The board also approved a two year contract to retain Attorney David Hollenbeck as its counsel.

Posted 11/21/2007