That decision, with Councilman Greg Lawson absent, came on a unanimous decision by council tonight.

Council was slated to choose members of an advisory committee, Mayor Emery Doughtie told the city's governing body, and, although council had appointees, Doughtie said tourism approached him and said it will be willing to take over that role.

Councilman Carl Ferebee said he liked the idea as long as tourism kept in mind the objectives of what council wants the panel to do — recommending ways to make the theater more productive, maintaining agreements with entertainment businesses to book shows and making the venue more attractive to potential buyers. “I feel good about tourism. I have no problem with that. We're going to have to sit down and have a formal discussion. I think tourism would work well with our goals.”

Councilman Ernest Bobbitt said he had no problem with it and believes tourism could help the city devise a business plan for the struggling venue.

Council member Suetta Scarbrough said she was thankful tourism board Chair Gene Minton approached the city with the idea.

Minton told council the decision still rests with the entire board, which has not discussed the matter yet. “I think the board will see the necessity. If we don't do something everyone will be affected by this next year.”

Minton was referring to the loss of theater reserve fund in this fiscal year and an approximately $2 million payment the city must make on the venue in the upcoming fiscal year. “It's going to have to be a project of putting a positive spin on the theater.”

Without a plan, the city could see a huge tax increase, some projections saying as much as 30 percent. “You're going to be affected by the theater next year in a big way.”

Tourism, Minton said, can bring integrity, professionalism and enthusiasm to the project. “I think it's the responsibility of everyone in town. We all have to get involved to keep it from destroying the area. I think you'll get a better response from professionals than with a volunteer committee.”

While he would not promise a miracle, Minton said, “I think you may get a better outcome than right now.”

There is $10,000 in Halifax Horizons money tapped for theater promotion which hasn't been used. He said he learned there was going to be a Christmas show at the theater and had it been known sooner, tourism could have lined up its contacts in the tour bus industry for promotion.

Minton said having tourism do this work will free council up to work on the problems it will face in the upcoming fiscal year. “I think your job is to tell people how serious this is.”

Bobbitt made the motion to move forward with the plan and Ferebee cast the second.

Outside the meeting, Minton told rrspin.com the board's next scheduled meeting is in August but a special meeting could be held. “We have no choice. We're running into a Titanic situation which is going to sink this whole city.”

He said the time for finger pointing and blame is over. “We've all got to be a part of it.”

The situation the city faces next year, he said, is, “Not one of cuts, but cutting out.”