COUNTY - Destination Southwest Nova tourism association is asking the Municipality of Lunenburg to start paying its fair share.

 In a letter to council, association manager Madonna Spinazola noted the association represents 28 municipal units. Its mandate is to promote tourism in the counties of Yarmouth, Annapolis, Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg.

 Of the total number of units, 15 pay the full amount requested according to a funding formula, seven pay a portion and six pay nothing.

 "It is a major task to achieve the goal of collaboration and co-operation between all 28 municipalities," said Ms Spinazola.

 The association has developed a funding formula that is based on uniform assessment and population.

 Since the Municipality of Lunenburg has the second highest population and the second highest uniform assessment of all the municipal units, its contribution is requested to be $19,422. So far this year the municipality has contributed $4,275. Last year the association requested the same amount, but received $5,700 from the municipality.

 The request from this municipal unit is topped only by the Municipality of Kings. They were asked for $33,283. Kings have paid the requested amount - about 22 per cent of the association's $158,432 budget.

 "Municipalities who are paying their fair share are unsatisfied that other municipalities are not contributing the full amount as per the program criteria," wrote Ms Spinazola.

 Councillor Martin Bell, who is a member of the municipality's tourism focus group noted that municipalities such as Clare, East Hants, Wolfville, Yarmouth, Argyle and Lockeport have not contributed anything to the group's budget.

 "We [tourism focus group] looked at the monies that we had made available to us by council," said Councillor Bell, noting the committee considered what was the best investment for the municipality "that would provide returns directly for this region."

 He said council branded itself, developed a website and developed a day-trip agenda.

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 He asked his fellow councillors if they decided to contribute over $19,000 to the association to question how the municipality was benefitting.

 Councillor Frank Fawson added he was unsure what benefit the association had for the municipality.

 "I guess … I don't have a clear idea of what we're getting for our contribution to this," said Councillor Fawson.

 Councillor Basil Oickle said the municipality should be increasing its contribution to the association.

 Mayor Don Downe suggested the contribution should be revisited by the tourism focus group for a recommendation to council.

 Councillor Eric Hustvedt made a motion to refer the matter to the focus group for recommendation.

posted on 10/20/09