BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Tourism & Recreation Commission reaffirmed its leadership team in its first meeting of 2024, held Jan. 17. Nita Collier of Inez will serve as chairperson. Alongside her, Jarrod Slone will take up the mantle as the new secretary, and Katrina Sansom will handle the treasurer’s responsibilities.
Collier announced that Tyler Hall resigned his seat on the commission.
While discussing financials, Collier advised Sansom that the commission would like to have a spreadsheet showing detailed expenditures.
“That’s what this is supposed to be,” Sansom replied. “Is it not?”
Slone agreed with Sansom, saying, “It accounts for everything spent. It’s divided into separate accounts, and the total is at the bottom.”
Collier stated tourism commissioner Linda Lou Webb, who did not attend due to her driveway being icy, plans to have her sister Tammy Slone develop a special spreadsheet for Christmas in the Mountains.
Sansom supported this initiative.
“We do need something for that,” said Sansom. “I don’t handle that at all. I don’t have anything except the bank statement on that. I’m sure that Linda has been keeping all the receipts. We’ve talked about this before. Every transaction, you’ve got to have proof.”
Sansom added that all tourism bank accounts, including Christmas in the Mountains, are tied to the county.
“The county is responsible for all of this,” she said. “That’s why we have to keep up with it. If they ever ask us anything, then we will have it.”
Collier revealed her plans for the commission to attain 501c3 status and requested Sansom prepare the necessary application.
In an update on the Historic Martin County Courthouse, Collier said all wiring in the building had been stripped.
“As soon as they get started, within three months, everything should be rewired, repainted, refloored, lighting,” Collier said. “Fingers crossed, everything should be completed by summer.”
According to Collier, Appalachian Reach Out will help bring in and set up the furniture.
The chairperson discussed a wedding booking in September 2024 for the historic courthouse, suggesting the commission offer the couple a special deal if they agree to allow the commission to use their pictures for marketing.
“It’s kind of exciting,” she said.
Christmas in the Mountains 2024 is set for Dec. 6-7.
The commission discussed the “Welcome to Martin County” signage, agreeing with Slone that posts made of black split-face block—reminiscent of coal—would look good.