John Coffelt, Editor

During the Dec. 2 meeting, the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the first reading of an ordinance that will create a tourism department, reshaping how tourism efforts are conducted by the city.

Alderman Ryan French said the move was a start, but there were some changes that need to be made before final approval.

Mayor Joey Hobbs called the initial ordinance a rough draft and asked the aldermen to bring any amendments to the second reading for votes.

The ordinance would officially create the new Department of Tourism and would modify the related citizens advisory board with the goal of promoting tourism and conducting operations at the Manchester Event and Visitor Center (formerly the Manchester-Coffee County Conference Center).

All revenues generated by the event center and 100% of the hotel/motel tax will go to the Department of Tourism.

The advisory board will be comprised of two city aldermen, representatives from a restaurant, hotel and retail establishment as well as two at-large positions. Non-voting members will include the Mayor, the Director of the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce and the Director of Tourism.

This prevision removes the current three voting members of the Chamber and adds a second alderman to the board.

According to the proposed amendment, the function of the advisory board will be to provide BOMA and the Director of Tourism guidance on a variety of topics including the development of policy and advertising budgets to attract outside people to the city.

Alderman Julie Anderson said the city should hire a certified planner or city administrator rather than a Director of Tourism.

Alderman James Threet abruptly criticized the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce for not being vocal about a County Zoning Resolution that sets a 5-acre minimum for lot sizes in the A-1 agricultural district.

The first reading passed 5-1 with Alderman Anderson voting no.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.