Outgoing tourism chief says politics impeding Tahoe tourism efforts

Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997 | 9:15 a.m.

Unless cooperation among casinos, government officials and tourism promoters improves, Douglas County's Stateline casino core and South Lake Tahoe, Calif., will continue to see declining business and tax revenues, Ron Spellecy said.

"My biggest concern is the politics that are being played are doing a major disservice to the community," he said. "What this is going to do is preempt any opportunity to do what is necessary."

Spellecy said his growing frustration was one reason for his decision to resign the post. He leaves next week to assume a job as travel director for the Seattle Mariners baseball team.

For one thing, Spellecy said the Tahoe community is divided over whether marketing money should be spent in the primary Northern California tourism market or targeted elsewhere to lure new visitors.

He said for the past year he has worked on a long-term strategic plan for marketing the region in Southern California, but the Lake Tahoe Gaming Alliance and Douglas County Commission opposed the campaign at the last minute.

Last month, Douglas County commissioners stripped the organization of $400,000 in promotional money. Spellecy believes the move was in part a response to the failed effort by Tahoe residents and the casinos to secede and form a new county.

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