COLUMBUS, Miss. -- The controversial Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau board will get a new member next month.

Six people met Wednesday's deadline to apply for the seat left vacant by last month's resignation of George Swales. A teacher, three retailers and marketers, a long-time business owner, and a retired police officer (see link to applications) all want seats on the nine-member board which promotes tourism and controls about $1.5 million a year in tourism tax revenues.

The board has been sharply divided in its debates during the last year about how best to fund tourism. That division sparked Swales to step aside. The Board of Supervisors will make the appointment for the at-large seat on Sept. 14.

Click here to see applications (pdf download)