FrontierVillageBlacksmithJamestown (CSi) Board members of Frontier Village Association and Jamestown Tourism both say they must concentrate on a shared vision for the city’s most popular tourist destination.

This meeting follows a FVA special meeting on August 13th when board member Tina Busche and FVA Manager Nichole Mosolf said they felt board funding was threatened. They said Jamestown Tourism Executive Director Searle Swedlund said FVA may not have been in compliance with funding guidelines and was advising Mosolf on her duties.

On Wednesday, FVA Board President Charley Tanata said the Jamestown Tourism office is in Frontier Village, and staff cannot help but watch the day-to-day activities, adding “We should work more closely and use the money for what we are supposed to do. All you are doing is making sure the money is used for what it is supposed to be used for and that we are getting the job done.”

Swedlund said the Frontier Village vision is not clear and must translate into a goal of driving tourism numbers that boost economic development of the community. He acknowledged the friction between the organizations in the past and said it goes without saying that the two need to work as closely as possible to ensure proper use of hospitality tax dollars from Jamestown Tourism and the city.

During the meeting Nellie Degen, FVA board member, said the urgency of collaboration between the two boards was clear. She said the boards should be clear about where the individual and overlapping responsibilities lie and where they need to come together.