Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

The Cumberland Tourist and Convention Commission met on Tuesday to discuss a number of issues ranging from security systems to taking a loss on revenue from the Black Bear Festival.

“We’ve had two estimates submitted for a security system for our office and storage buildings,” said Director Tracey Bailey. “ADT Security Systems came back with an estimate of $1,250 plus $40 per month for maintenance. A local company, Cornett Electronics, came to us with an estimate of $1,408. Both will include four cameras for our office and motion sensors for our two storage facilities. With ADT we’d be able to access the system online and monitor the premises from anywhere. That’s why there’s the $40 extra per month charge. With Cornett Electronics, a call will automatically be made to numbers placed in the system if something happens.”

The issue was tabled until the next meeting until more information can be obtained.

In a financial report compiled for the Black Bear Festival, Bailey said the commission had taken a $2,519.27 loss this year in part because they had to pay an additional $1,000 to the Cumberland Rotary Club for use of their park during the festival, and purchase event insurance from Kentucky Farm Bureau in the amount of $1,000.

“We had to have event insurance,” said Assistant Director Suzanne Williams. “This protects all of us — each board member. I called Kentucky Farm Bureau and they said we had to have this insurance, which covers a specific event. Any time you host an event this large, you just have to have it.”

Commission member Reecie Stagnolia said the purchase of a $1,000 event insurance policy is a large re-occurring charge each year and he felt the commission “should look at other ways of obtaining coverage.”

In other commission action:

* Bailey noted the commission is working on obtaining a “Trail Town” designation through Kentucky Adventure Tourism;

* Began making plans for the State Fair in August. Noted Black Mountain Thunder Zip line will partner with them on the purchase of a booth;

* Noted 20 teams have now registered for the Mine Rescue event set for July;

* Tabled the approval of the commission’s 2012-2013 budget to give members a chance to look it over more in detail;

* Stagnolia suggested a walking track be established at the new Black Bear Park in the city.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com