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GIRARD — B.J. Harris, the new Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, has technically been on the job for about three weeks. But during that time, he’s been so busy promoting the county that he hasn’t had a chance to introduce himself to the Crawford County Commission.
That changed on Friday as Harris met with the county commission. He had already met with at least one county commissioner, Linda Grilz, who had been a part of the hiring process.
“I’m very excited and appreciative of the opportunity to work alongside Crawford County,” Harris said. “I, and my family, are pleased and proud to work to promote Crawford County.”
Harris noted that he has had to hit the ground running because of the two Pittsburg State playoff games, as well as this Sunday’s Citizen’s Bank Bowl. But those aren’t the only football-related projects on Harris’ slate, he told the commission.
“Hopefully we’ll get a good crowd [for the Citizen’s Bank Bowl]. The hotels are almost full, and some are full,” he said. “We’re currently ready to bid for the 2014 Kansas Shrine Bowl. Hopefully, we will finalize our bid. If we get it, it should be several dollars coming our way.”
Harris said that Pittsburg State has hosted the Shrine Bowl roughly every four years, including in 2002, 2006 and 2010. He said that the estimated economic impact of the 2010 Kansas Shrine Bowl was roughly $1 million for the county.
Commissioner Linda Grilz, communicating by conference call, asked Harris if he would return to the commission in the spring to discuss progress and to provide an update.
Harris further said that he is working to ensure that he’s not the only ambassador for Crawford County tourism.
“I’m very excited to promote Crawford County. One thing, I want to be making sure that everyone is promoting Crawford County when they’re going out,” he said. “When they go out to meet family and friends, I want them talking about Crawford County. Hospitality is a key thing so people want to come back here.”
In other action Friday, the commission heard from Rep. Bob Grant (D) about the upcoming legislative session starting in January.
“It will be a tough session,” Grant said. “There are things we are looking at, with school finance, potentially doing away with income tax and redistricting, of course. I’ll do my best to keep you apprised of what’s going on. If you don’t have communication, you’re ... out of luck anyway.”
The county commission also approved the reappointment of five people to the Crawford County Planning and Zoning Board and the Crawford County Joint Board of Appeals, including Kathy Flora, Greg Murray, Murray J. Balk, Dee Hough, and Bonnie Houk.
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 140.
GIRARD — B.J. Harris, the new Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director, has technically been on the job for about three weeks. But during that time, he’s been so busy promoting the county that he hasn’t had a chance to introduce himself to the Crawford County Commission.
That changed on Friday as Harris met with the county commission. He had already met with at least one county commissioner, Linda Grilz, who had been a part of the hiring process.
“I’m very excited and appreciative of the opportunity to work alongside Crawford County,” Harris said. “I, and my family, are pleased and proud to work to promote Crawford County.”
Harris noted that he has had to hit the ground running because of the two Pittsburg State playoff games, as well as this Sunday’s Citizen’s Bank Bowl. But those aren’t the only football-related projects on Harris’ slate, he told the commission.
“Hopefully we’ll get a good crowd [for the Citizen’s Bank Bowl]. The hotels are almost full, and some are full,” he said. “We’re currently ready to bid for the 2014 Kansas Shrine Bowl. Hopefully, we will finalize our bid. If we get it, it should be several dollars coming our way.”
Harris said that Pittsburg State has hosted the Shrine Bowl roughly every four years, including in 2002, 2006 and 2010. He said that the estimated economic impact of the 2010 Kansas Shrine Bowl was roughly $1 million for the county.
Commissioner Linda Grilz, communicating by conference call, asked Harris if he would return to the commission in the spring to discuss progress and to provide an update.
Harris further said that he is working to ensure that he’s not the only ambassador for Crawford County tourism.
“I’m very excited to promote Crawford County. One thing, I want to be making sure that everyone is promoting Crawford County when they’re going out,” he said. “When they go out to meet family and friends, I want them talking about Crawford County. Hospitality is a key thing so people want to come back here.”
In other action Friday, the commission heard from Rep. Bob Grant (D) about the upcoming legislative session starting in January.
“It will be a tough session,” Grant said. “There are things we are looking at, with school finance, potentially doing away with income tax and redistricting, of course. I’ll do my best to keep you apprised of what’s going on. If you don’t have communication, you’re ... out of luck anyway.”
The county commission also approved the reappointment of five people to the Crawford County Planning and Zoning Board and the Crawford County Joint Board of Appeals, including Kathy Flora, Greg Murray, Murray J. Balk, Dee Hough, and Bonnie Houk.
Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 140.
