3 appointed to Visitors Bureau Board of Trustees

Lake County commissioners have appointed three people to the county Visitors Bureau Board of Trustees.

A change in the bureau’s bylaws allows for the commissioners to appoint three members to the board for three-year terms.

“It represents a change, but I think a good one,” Commissioner Jerry Cirino said.

Each commissioner selected one candidate for the board.

Commissioner Daniel P. Troy selected Linda Wise, who retired this year as CEO of the Fine Arts Association after 10 years in the position.

Cirino chose Amy Sabath, who co-chaired the Lake County 2016 Organizing Committee for the Republican National Convention.

Commissioner John Hamercheck selected Richard Fike Sr. for the board seat. Fike is the Madison Combined Martial Arts director and is team director of Stunt Predators USA & SFX. He’s also involved with the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, Hamercheck said.

The new board members’ terms run through Feb. 21, 2021.

The visitors bureau’s mission is to promote Lake County through the travel and tourism industry by “marketing to associations, motor coach operators and individuals through advertisements, trade shows, and other educational means.”

It also aims to increase public awareness of historical, cultural and recreational opportunities in the county. Another goal is to increase the number of overnight visits in Lake County and the number of visitors to area attractions, restaurants, festivals, museums and retail shops for “pleasure, business and enrichment.”

The visitors bureau is funded by a 2 percent hotel/motel occupancy tax in addition to membership.