Tourist Council To Ask Commission To Replace Director

SEBRING -- The Highlands County Tourist Development Council favors retaining the operation of the tourism program as it is and asking the county to advertise for a director to replace Jim Brantley.

The council spent about two hours Thursday discussing options and receiving input from the public concerning the future of the county's tourism program. Since the council is an advisory board to the Highlands County Commission, it can only make recommendations.

The county commission will make the final decision. The recommendation is expected to come before the board in December.

County Administrator Carl Cool, who attended the workshop, said the tourist council wants to review a proposed job description for the director at its next meeting, which is scheduled for Dec. 6. If the council approves the description, the item could be on the Dec. 11 commission agenda.

Most of the council members seem to want to maintain the status quo and don't see any reason to change.

"I think it is going smoothly, leave it alone," said Debra Worley.

"I like the way we are doing things; it has worked," said Sandy Greenslade.

Seven of the nine members of the council attended the workshop at the Highlands County Agri-Civic Center in Sebring. Mark Stewart and Tre Stephenson did not attend. Andy Jackson, the council's chairman, didn't participate in the discussion because he is a member of the county commission.

Brantley retired as the full-time tourism director in September. However, he is still working as a consultant for the county through March 15,2008. Brantley is being paid $60 an hour for up to 50 hours a month.