Two members sought for ad commission

The Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission on Monday began the search for two new commissioners, after Ohio Club owner Mike Pettey resigned on Saturday.

A second commission opening comes up in September, when Commissioner Brianna Moore’s term expires. Moore is owner/manager of Red Light Roastery.

The commission will decide on the positions at a meeting on Aug. 24, when it originally planned to hold its annual planning retreat. Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said Monday the planning retreat was canceled after discussions with commission Chairman Elizabeth Farris.

Applications for Position 4, Moore’s position, and Position 6, the one vacated by Pettey, will be accepted until noon Aug. 10.

Applicants must be a qualified elector within the city limits of Hot Springs and an owner or manager of a hotel/ motel or restaurant located within the city limits, Visit Hot Springs said in a news release.

Position 4 is a four-year term. The term for Position 6 expires July 31, 2023.

The commission’s selections must be ratified by the Hot Springs Board of Directors.

Pettey was faced with calls to resign on social media last week after a complaint filed by his wife, Dona, with the Arkansas Department of Health against four local bars for allegedly violating COVID-19 guidelines surfaced online.

“The A&P does a tremendous good for our community and is filled with great people that have a passion for Hot Springs and are highly respected for that. I resigned because I don’t want anything I’ve been involved with to tarnish the A&Ps reputation. It has been a pleasure to serve these last few years,” Pettey later told The Sentinel-Record.

The commission meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Aug. 24 at the Hot Springs Convention Center, according to an email Arrison sent the commission on Monday.

This will be the first time the commission has met since Feb. 24.

“We will be socially distancing so the ad agency and Paul Johnson will not be invited to attend,” Arrison said in the email. “Vicky Ross and I will represent the staff. The meeting will be open to the public but on a limited basis. When the seats are full we will not allow anyone else to enter.”

As for the retreat, Arrison said Monday that the commission usually has an annual retreat where it meets with staff to talk about what they want to accomplish in the upcoming year, but due to the uncertainty the pandemic has caused with the upcoming year they decided to postpone it. They hope to reschedule at a later time in 2021.

There will be a short agenda for the meeting, Arrison said.

“I have several items that I need approved. … You also have to select two new commission members,” he said.

Arrison said Moore is eligible for reappointment or a replacement would assume the position at that time.

“The two positions require that you select an owner or manager of a hotel, motel, or restaurant,” he said. “They must be a city of Hot Springs resident and a registered voter. If you know anyone who would like an application we would be happy to email one to their attention.”

Arrison said he anticipates eight to 10 applicants for both positions.

Applications to the commission positions are available by calling Leysa Lowery, 321-4378, ext. 6201, or by emailing leysa@ hotsprings.org.