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A newly proposed senior citizens center to be constructed by the Calhoun County
Committee on Aging at Minnora has met some stumbling blocks.
CCCOA Director Mike Ritchie has sought to build the new center on a lot adjacent
the Minnora Community Center, previously used as a ball field.
Former Minnora Center board president Donna Jordan expressed concerns
yesterday to the county commission about the CCCOA using the site.
Newly elected president of the MCC committee, Kenneth Bailey, has called a
meeting tonight to discuss the issue.
"We were not contacted by Mike Ritchie regarding their building on our ball field.
We want to use the field for teams to practice. We were out of the loop," said
Jordan.
Former board member Larry Cottrell contacted Ritchie last week expressing
concern why the center had not been properly informed.
Ritchie said he is now looking elsewhere to build the center, stating "We will not
enter a site or community where there is even a hint of discontent."
"This is unfortunate, since we have a great group of seniors at Minnora," he
said.
Jordan said they had been hearing rumors about "things being done behind our
back."
Jordan declined to confirm the source of the rumors.
A report in the Calhoun Chronicle said there were rumors about the commission
selling the property to help balance the county budget. Commission President
Larry McCallister said he had never heard of such an idea.
The commission took back the Minnora Center last year at the Minnora board's
request because of increased costs on insuring the facility, and the official board
has been dissolved with the center now being operated by a committee.
Ritchie says he discussed the issue with Jordan and made a formal request with
Bill Jarvis of the Calhoun Building Commission.
"If the Building Commission considered my request, I would only assume they
would do the proper thing and discuss it with your committee (Minnora Center),"
said Ritchie. "It is clearly the responsibility of Bill Jarvis and/or the Building
Commission to inform your committee (Minnora Center) of potential activity."
Ritchie said he met with the Building Commission about two months ago. Bill
Jarvis said "He would let me know about my request. To date I haven't heard
anything."
Ritchie said he was confused about statements regarding poor communication,
saying he followed all the proper procedures.
Jordan said Bill Jarvis had not discussed the proposal with the committee which
operates the center. Jarvis has since resigned as President of the building
commission.
Commission President Larry McCallister said no recommendation has been made
to the commission by the Building Commission.
Commissioner Bob Weaver said the commission has been supportive of every
effort of the Minnora Center to provide community services.
Ritchie said he will likely seek a location closer to Arnoldsburg, but if he is unable
to find property, he would return to the commission regarding a Minnora site.
"Calhoun County has six community parks or centers between Grantsville and
Chloe. I'm convinced we have room for one senior center," said Ritchie, who
concluded by saying "I sincerely desire for the Minnora Center to have great
success."
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