COTTRELL CALLING FOR MINNORA CENTER RESIGNATIONS - Official Board May Not Agree

(07/14/2001)
By Bob Weaver

Board members of the Minnora Community Center are being asked to resign and allow a five-person committee to temporarily manage the project. Board member Larry Cottrell and his supporters are holding a community meeting at 3 p.m. Saturday at the center, to process the matter.

Board President Wanda Richards and a majority of official board members are not expected to endorse the proposal, according to vice-president Rose Jarvis.

Controversy has continued over the management of the Minnora Community Center, with two factions deeply entrenched. Board president Richards has maintained her group has responsibly managed the center, donating thousands of hours of work to make it happen.

Opponents to Richards have cited abuse of power, ignoring by-laws and having too many family members or extended family members holding key positions.

Board member Cottrell has bitterly opposed Richards, circulating flyers in the community attacking her personal character.

Donna Jordan said her group has several hundred signatures on a petition which support the current players stepping aside. She said Cottrell's proposal would involve "totally new people."

Jordan said her group's most recent proposal would have a five-person committee take over on July 15, with a new election involving community members to be held in September.

Vice-president Jarvis said any such decision about the issue would not be legal without an official board meeting. "This is a community meeting (Saturday) called by Larry Cottrell. Several of us will be present to listen," she said.

One of the anchor services of the Minnora Center, Minnora Primary Care Center is closing because of poor utilization and a $50,000 loss. Jarvis said she would help with a petition drive to keep the health service in the community. (SEE earlier Hur Herald story)