QUOTE
Arnold Resigns From Tourism Board
Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Ed Arnold resigned from the La Porte County tourism board on Monday, saying he needed to devote more time to his burgeoning career as a Michigan City restaurateur.
On his way out, the four-year member said he was disappointed by the lack of success the convention and visitors bureau has had in what he said early on were five key issues.
"When I came in here four years ago, I had visions," he said Monday. "Four years later, I have those same visions because they haven't changed."
Arnold said Monday he'd hoped when he was appointed by La Porte Mayor Leigh Morris the board would purchase all its billboards and get out of lease deals, overhaul and more strategically place its welcome signs throughout the county, move the current bureau's Meer Road home, overhaul the satellite office system and turn the satellite visitors center at Blue Chip Casino into an automated center.
None of those goals were reached, and Arnold and board member Gene Shurte pointed to issues with leadership as one reason. Board president Doug Waters said Tuesday Arnold's contentions weren't off base.
"I have to say I agree with a lot of the things you said," Waters told Arnold after he read from a prepared statement. "A lot of those things need to be done and weren't. We'll work on those things now."
Arnold - who will open a new restaurant at the former Michigan City Yacht Club with a Chicago business partner next spring - was happy with one goal the bureau accomplished, a goal he pushed for and touted as it became a reality.
"The most important goal we have achieved during my time on the board has been the creation of a Web presence that is effective and well-visited," he said. "This will be an ongoing project and its importance."
The bureau in the past two years began to utilize search engine optimization, a method that makes the bureau's Web site much more accessible during Internet searches.
Arnold's term is scheduled to end in mid-January, but he said Tuesday he chose to end his term now instead of being replaced with another appointee likely to be named by La Porte mayor-elect Kathy Chroback.
"I don't want to get fired," Arnold said with a chuckle. "I figured I'd do it now."
Contact Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.
Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Ed Arnold resigned from the La Porte County tourism board on Monday, saying he needed to devote more time to his burgeoning career as a Michigan City restaurateur.
On his way out, the four-year member said he was disappointed by the lack of success the convention and visitors bureau has had in what he said early on were five key issues.
"When I came in here four years ago, I had visions," he said Monday. "Four years later, I have those same visions because they haven't changed."
Arnold said Monday he'd hoped when he was appointed by La Porte Mayor Leigh Morris the board would purchase all its billboards and get out of lease deals, overhaul and more strategically place its welcome signs throughout the county, move the current bureau's Meer Road home, overhaul the satellite office system and turn the satellite visitors center at Blue Chip Casino into an automated center.
None of those goals were reached, and Arnold and board member Gene Shurte pointed to issues with leadership as one reason. Board president Doug Waters said Tuesday Arnold's contentions weren't off base.
"I have to say I agree with a lot of the things you said," Waters told Arnold after he read from a prepared statement. "A lot of those things need to be done and weren't. We'll work on those things now."
Arnold - who will open a new restaurant at the former Michigan City Yacht Club with a Chicago business partner next spring - was happy with one goal the bureau accomplished, a goal he pushed for and touted as it became a reality.
"The most important goal we have achieved during my time on the board has been the creation of a Web presence that is effective and well-visited," he said. "This will be an ongoing project and its importance."
The bureau in the past two years began to utilize search engine optimization, a method that makes the bureau's Web site much more accessible during Internet searches.
Arnold's term is scheduled to end in mid-January, but he said Tuesday he chose to end his term now instead of being replaced with another appointee likely to be named by La Porte mayor-elect Kathy Chroback.
"I don't want to get fired," Arnold said with a chuckle. "I figured I'd do it now."
Contact Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.