Tourism bus could transfer
Staff writer
A county tourism bus parked for several years in Marion might hit the road again if any local business association is interested in owning it.
Mike Beneke, owner of a Lincolnville feedlot and Marion restaurant Edward’s, asked commissioners if the county would consider donating the bus before the Marion Merchants Association spends raking over the cost of buying it.
Beneke said the association could use the bus for transportation to area events and put a billboard-type sign on the back promoting them.
“That’s just a cheap way to make a mobile billboard,” Beneke said.
Commissioner Dave Crofoot said Marion’s Chamber of Commerce bought the bus to promote tourism and put a lot of money into it, but it was barely used.
County clerk Tina Spencer said she doubts the county can simply give the bus to a private entity and suggested it would be better to offer it for sale.
Spencer also pointed out the web site on the side of the bus is no longer operational.
“You’d need to paint the bus,” Crofoot said.
“I’d like to see somebody use it,” commission chairman Kent Becker said.
Commissioner Dianne Novak said she and Beneke had previously discussed the bus and the idea of the association owning it.
She wants the county to have no responsibility for the bus if it is sold.
Commissioner Randy Dallke suggested any group with an interest in economic development who would like to have the vehicle come to the commission with a proposal within 45 days.