In an exclusive interview on Friday with ETTOL, former Convention and Visitor Development (CVD) Director Patsy Dreesen claims that during her tenure, CVD funds provided by the City, were misused by the Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Dreesen said she became CVD Director in June 2001. She said the CVD funds were exhausted in November 2001 and the Chamber loaned the CVD $7000 until the CVD received its next quarterly allotment from the City. When funds were received from the City, the CVD, at that time would repay the Chamber.

Ms. Dreesen said the Chamber President at the time was Mr. George Meisenheimer. She said that he explained this was a similar situation, like the spring of 2001 when the Chamber was short of funds and the Chamber found it necessary to borrow money from the CVD fund.