The Twentynine Palms City Council got lots done last night, but not with one voice. Reporter David Haldane, who was there, explains…
Summer funding for tourism in Twentynine Palms? Fuhgettaboutit! That was the answer a divided City Council delivered last night to Joshua Tree Gateway Communities, a nonprofit tourism marketing group requesting $31,500 for the coming year. City staff had whittled its recommendation down to just under $8,000 until September 30, but even that didn’t pass muster, losing 3-2.
“We funded it last year. This year I just didn’t feel that it warranted us funding it again.”
That’s Councilman Dan Mintz who voted with the majority.
Mayor John Cole, who didn’t, disagreed, arguing that the city’s summer events need promoting.
In other business, the Council approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with a firm called Palm Communities for the furtherance of Project Phoenix, extended its contract with the Chamber of Commerce for two more years and approved the city’s special funds budget for the next two fiscal years.
TWENTYNINE PALMS COUNCIL SAYS “NO” TO TOURISM MARKETING GROUP
