After an hour of arguing and deadlocked motions, the 10 members of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau Board disbanded Monday night without appointing a director, scheduling another meeting or adjourning.

&#8220This is in shambles,” said board member Bobbie Bingham Morrow.

The VCVB, established in 1972, is designed to have 11 volunteer members who help chart tourism in Vicksburg and Warren County and oversee the paid staff of offices on Clay Street at Old Highway 27 and on Washington Street at Clay.

The City of Vicksburg and Warren County each appoint five board members, and together they appoint one. Operations are funded by a 1 percent sales tax collected on local hotel rooms.

Discussions Monday evening focused on three areas: the resignation earlier in the day by one of the board members, filling another seat and naming a permanent director.

Board member Curt Follmer, general manager of Rainbow Casino, mailed his letter of resignation to Mayor Laurence Leyens. Copies were given to each board member.

&#8220When I was asked to serve on the VCVB board, I was under the impression that board members were expected to be independent thinkers with tourism and marketing knowledge,” Follmer wrote in his letter. &#8220I did not understand that you were looking for someone who would simply pass on your desires in administrating the operation of the VCVB.”

Leyens said he has never told a board member how to vote.

In the second issue, members argued over whether new member David Maggio should be allowed to cast a vote.

Bingham Morrow said Maggio should not be seated because he had not been bonded, and another board member, Omar Nelson, said Maggio should be allowed to vote on naming a director though he had not been present for interviews of candidates for the position that has paid $65,000.

&#8220He has every single right to vote,” Nelson said. &#8220I just hope his vote is informed.”

The position has been filled by interim director Clara Ross Stamps since the death in April of Emy Bullard Wilkinson.

Maggio was appointed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to fill the position left vacant by Eric Biedenharn, whose term expired in August. Leyens said paperwork to have Maggio bonded had been completed.

In a corresponding issue, discussions over naming a permanent director disintegrated after board member Lamar Roberts made a motion that a decision be delayed.

Board member Bobby Bailess seconded the motion, but Bingham Morrow disagreed.

&#8220We’re here to elect a director, and that’s what we need to do,” she said.

Board Member Jo Wilson agreed.

&#8220We need a director,” she said. &#8220If we go out of here and don’t vote, it’s going to get worse.”

Patty Cappaert, the board’s secretary, is acting chairman.

The vote on the motion, however, was tied 5-5, with Maggio voting to delay a vote.

&#8220Why don’t we postpone it since everything is so muddled?” Cappaert asked.

Roberts made a motion to adjourn, and Bailess seconded.

Despite only four voting to adjourn, Roberts, Bailess and another board member, Bill Collins, got up from the table and left the room. Maggio soon followed.