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| Tourism director’s position now full-time job |
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By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
The mayor and tourism commission were so pleased with the job Tracy Pearce was doing as tourism director they have changed her status from part-time to full-time.
Last summer the Mt. Sterling City Council redirected funding to the tourism office at Mayor Gary Williamson’s urging to make the director’s position part-time. It had been a full-time position previously held by Lynda Wilson, who resigned for a job at the University of Kentucky.
Williamson said last year he wanted the tourism office to move in a different direction and felt the position should be part-time. Tourism commission members strongly disagreed and all but one member resigned in protest. City and county officials then named a new commission that solicited applications for a part-time director and hired Pearce for the job.
Since coming aboard Jan. 1, Pearce has been a very visible face of the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Tourism Office through her promotion of new and existing programs and projects.
Williamson said Pearce has been such a good fit that he and the council revisited their stance on the position. They opted to return the position to full-time status June 1.
“I think it’s a good move,” the mayor said. “I’ve seen real results from what she’s doing. I’m really impressed and that’s why I would agree to a full- time position.
“I have seen very positive things,” he added. “She’s been very innovative and brought a lot of people to town. I think this is money well spent.”
Pearce, who also works part-time at radio station WMST, said she is pleased to be full-time now.
“I don’t know, personally speaking, that I think it matters what the title says, whether it says I’m full-time or part-time,” she said. “I love the job period.”
Pearce sees the change in employment status as a reward for all her hard work.
“I feel like it was a compliment to me and also that they believe I have the potential to do better things,” she said.
The tourism commission has wanted the director’s position to be full-time all long. Members had urged Williamson and the council to restore the position to where it was originally.
When city officials met in the spring to discuss the budget they restored funding based on the work Pearce had done.
To fund the position, the City Council trimmed the budget set aside for promoting Court Days from $45,000 to $25,000.
Pearce has been credited with jump-starting the recent Small Town America Weekend. Crowds were up this year as well as the number of vendors and interest in the Special Olympics Car Show.
City and tourism commission leaders say they also appreciate the creativity and passion she has brought to the job.
Pearce is already at work promoting the upcoming Court Days festival that will include a concert headlined this year by the Kentucky Headhunters. That is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, on the grounds at Old Silo. Tickets are on sale now at Old Silo and WMST-WKYN studios on Main Street.
Local music producer Jeff Vice is coordinating the concert with Old Silo owner Stephen Howard.
Pearce believes the concert will provide another draw into Mt. Sterling.
“I’m hoping to breathe new life into Court Days,” she said.
Pearce said she went full-time with the understanding that she could continue her work at the radio station. She works two hours a day at the station four days a week and 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays.
The tourism office is funded through revenue from a 3 percent city tax on motel and hotel room rental. It generates about $80,000 per year.
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