Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem's deposition

From the deposition taken by my attorney Larry Frost on August 5, 2013

Cathy: I was tourism director in Little Falls and the Main Street director for almost 30 years.  I was the executive director for the little Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Frost: Is the Convention and Visitor's Bureau part of Little Falls government?   How is it related to Little Falls?"

Cathy: It is not.  It is a --It is not a part of Little Falls government.  It is a private, nonprofit organization.  It's a 501(c)(6).   And so it's totally separate from the City of Little Falls. 

Frost:  Does it receive any funding from the City of Little Falls?

Cathy: Yes.  The City of little Falls has a lodging and restaurant tax.  The City of Little Falls collects that tax.  A percentage of that tax then goes to the Convention and Visitors Bureau for the marketing and promotion of the community. 



 I have attended many council meetings that Kris Von Berge, current CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been on the agenda, asking them to approve funding for the informational flyers and pamphlets that she displays at airports, tourist information centers, and other locations.  I believe the CVB IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO CITY GOVERNMENT, OTHERWISE WHY WOULD KRIS HAVE HAD TO GET PERMISSION TO BUY THOSE PAMPHLETS?