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Town Creates First Ever Tourism Commission
By Keith Hagarty
In an effort to promote Brick as a popular summer destination, the Township Council unanimously created the Brick Tourist Development Commission last week.
With numerous beaches, marinas, parks, shopping, dining and entertainment found throughout the township, the council agreed it's time to get the word out about Brick.
Members of the commission will be volunteers, said Councilman Dan Toth.
"Just to reaffirm,this commission is unpaid," Toth emphasized. "The members who will be appointed will be uncompensated. There are no benefits for them either."
Because the commission has been discussed for some time now, Toth said the town has already received numerous inquiries from interested applicants.
"Some of the resumes have referred to it as 'a job'," said Toth. "And yes, it is a job, but not in the normal definition of 'a job' being a livelihood and getting paid and all that."
Toth is excited by what the commission could become through the committed work of Brick's residents.
The commission will consist of five members, four of which will be appointed by the council. In addition, one council member will be chosen to serve on the commission as a representative of the governing body. The council member's responsibilities would be to update and advise the council of the commission's progress and concerns.
The term of the remaining four members of the commission will be for two years. However, because the commission is only in its infancy, two of the first initial members will be appointed for one-year terms, with the other two members appointed to the standard two-year terms.
As part of the ordinance, the town has also created the Brick Tourist Development Fund with the purpose of promoting Brick's attractions outside the immediate area.
Revenue for the fund will be generated through additional fee assessment against all licenses issued in Brick, such as for alcoholic beverage licenses and amusement games.
The associated fees would be 40 percent of the current license fee, with a maximum of $200.
The commission will have the exclusive authority to disburse all of the revenues allocated to the Brick Tourist Development Fund, and according to ordinance, use the money where it sees fitfor the purpose of publicizing and promoting Brick to attract tourism.
At least 50 percent of the revenues generpercent ated for the fund will be disbursed for advertising outside the municipality to attract tourists into the town.
The commission will also be expected to develop an annual report based on its records, and present its progress annually to the council. The council will then examine the commission's report to determine whether spending from the tourist fund had been made for the right purposes. If the council determines that spending was not done properly, they would have the authority to remove any and all members of the commission.
Keeping the commission running on a voluntary-basis could prove to be quite a benefit, said Council President Ruthanne Scaturro, who has high hopes.
"I think it will be a good thing for the township," she said.
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