HERMANN – After several years of having younger swimming pool managers, Hermann City Hall is looking for little more mature oversight of the summer operations.

“Is any adult interested in managing the pool?” asked Hermann City Administrator Patricia Heaney during Tuesday morning’s monthly session of the board of the Hermann Regional Economic Development (HRED) Corporation. She explained that after several years of youthful pool management, city officials are hoping to find a more mature manager who can be responsible for the pool operations. She noted that the position might be ideal for a teacher looking to earn a few more dollars during the summer months.

Heaney told her fellow HRED directors that if they know anyone who might be interested to “please send them my way.”

Even though snow still is on the ground, Heaney said there is a bit of urgency in finding a more mature pool manager fairly soon. “We need to get this nailed down soon,” she said. The pool typically opens around Memorial Day.

In other matters, the board heard an update on the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce’s capital campaign effort. Chamber Executive Director Melissa Lensing noted that additional pledges for financial support have been received — but that more supporters will be needed to meet the organization’s goal.

“We need to have more investment meetings,” she said.

The Chamber is raising money to fund a Strategic Plan designed to position businesses to take advantage of opportunities resulting from development of the industrial megasite in Montgomery County. Lensing also noted that State Sen. Ben Brown has been invited to Hermann for a tour of the community and Hermann Area District Hospital (HADH), adding that the state senator is sponsoring legislation that would affect the local hospital.

The Chamber executive also reminded the board of the Thursday, Feb. 17, Awards Banquet. Held every other year, the event recognizes the accomplishment and contributions of local residents in several areas. It also recognizes educators in the Gasconade County R-1 School District and St. George Catholic School and it recognizes a student for his or her accomplishments.

There are a total of eight awards presented by the Chamber. “That will be a great night,” Lensing said. The event is set for Hermann Hill Conference Center on Highway 100 East.

The Chamber also will be sponsoring a Candidate Forum at the Showboat Theater on Wednesday, March 18, for candidates on the April 7 ballot. In the Hermann area, that means two candidates for Hermann mayor, two candidates for one of the city’s aldermanic seats and four candidates running for three seats on the Gasconade County R-1 School District board.

Hermann Tourism and Economic Development Director Tanny Bruckerhoff reported that her agency’s efforts to promote Christmas in Hermann will be stepped up this season as part of the attempt to fill what she called “gaps” in the agency’s promotional calendar for the community — especially during the month of July. With tourism promotion historically tied to the community’s Independence Day Freedom Fest, her department will become busier during July.

“It looks like in July there is something every weekend,” she said.

The agency will begin talking up the Christmas holiday a little earlier, she said, beginning early in November.

Gasconade County Presiding Commissioner Tim Schulte, R-Hermann, a member of the HRED board, pointed to the April 7 ballot that will include a countywide vote on Senate Bill 3, the law adopted last year by the Missouri General Assembly that would give property tax relief to all homeowners. The state law provides for a vote in each of Missouri’s 114 counties.

“If SB3 passes, it’ll probably cost the county $700,000,” he said, referring to the projected potential loss of revenue by all property tax-dependent government entities in the county in the first year of the tax credit program.

“I’m not telling you how to vote, but do your homework and read the bill,” Schulte said.