A Hoquiam City councilman attempted Monday night to block a grant that would fund promotion of a gay pride event in the city. The attempt by Councilman Dave Wilson failed when no council member would second his motion.

The city’s Lodging Tax Advisory Board submitted its list of approved lodging tax tourism grants for approval at Monday’s City Council meeting. The grants come from money collected from a room tax on hotels and motels. The bulk of the $24,000 in grants was slated for Olympic Stadium operations and maintenance. The rest went to promoting local events and business organizations. The line item of $2,500 to advertise the Out and Proud Grays Harbor Coalition pride festival led councilman Dave Wilson to say, “My relationship with the Lord God will not allow me to support funding” for the event.

When told the council would be voting on approval of all funding recommendations, Wilson called for an amendment to remove just the funding for the pride parade, but he failed to gain a second. The council voted to approve the funding recommendations, with Wilson the only “no” vote.

Other funding included $1,500, Loggers Playday committee, stadium rental fees and security; $5,000, City of Hoquiam, fun runs and event advertising; $1,500, Hoquiam Business Association, promotion and advertising; $2,500, 7th St. Theatre, rack cards and event advertising and $1,000, Santa Comes to Town, printing costs and advertising.

Another $7,700 had already been committed for the railroad camp signs at Polson Museum.