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Show Center Loses Director 0 Again 0 by Kirk Terry The Central City Community Center has been the stage, recently, of conflicts arising between Maynard Koncar, former director of the Center who was discharged by a 4 to 1 vote and the City Commission that voted him out. Koncar said the conflict between him and the Center's Board of Directors, that represent the City Commission, started when he first took the dirctor's job last December. He said his views of what director responsibility and authority was didn't meet the approval of a few of the Board members. The former director said those Board members wanted to limit his administrative authority, that he, the director, shouldn't be able to hire and fire Center personnel. The Board would also spend Center funds, continued Koncar, without him knowing the funds had been spent. This situation caused still more disputes, he said. Rev. Cattral Jefferson, chairman of the Center's Board of Directors, said that the director does parti pate in the selection of staff at the Center. He said that the Board holds the director to the responsibility of not permitting drug use and fights to take place in the Center. Rev. Jefferson said it is the job of the director to control the activities at the Center and to answer for conflicts that do arise. Public Safety Commissioner, James Barker, said there were no personal grudges against the former director of the Center but that the latter had failed to control the Center which had been the scene of many fights and drug dealing. Koncar said that the Board wanted him to take a "strong arm approach" in dealing with the conditions at the Center that promote fighting, drug use and dealing. He said that these activities at the Center and other places in Central City at large, shouldn't be policed by him, but by the City police. Koncar said that the police have been trying for years to stop these things from happening and that they have the responsibility and the authority to make arrests, not him. Along with the vacancy of the director's position at the Center, the passage of new for Center operation has met with opposition. The by-la- propose a residency ruling that states Center Board by-law- s non-residen- stressed that the director of Central City. ts shouldn't They are administrating programs and activities, stated Koncar, for the area without having the living when in actuality the Commission should be called to answer to the public themselves. "If there was any real interest in solving the problems at the Center, there would have been results," stated Koncar, public's complaints experiences gained by residing in Central City. Barker said that discussions are currently being held s and that concerning the "no change" has occurred yet concerning the residency ruling s in general. The or the Commissioner said that he asked the Board to meet with Lynn Marsh, City Personnel Director by-law- and Commissioner Jennings Phillips to discuss the pros and cons of the proposed Barker said that the Board does want to instill into the Center's administration a "sense He said good of decorum. directors are hard to find and the by-law- outgo," declared Taylor. "Buying s. o 0 ljjjp job requires a "lot of personal sacrifice. The City is presently accepting applications for the Center's director vacancy. Barker said the position should be filled in a week or two. As for the continued Barker, the Board "is in no hurry to ratify Board of Directors are both the City Commission. Barker by-law- vice-chairm- by-law- s, is a 000e0d000000(90000000000000 Middle-Ag- e by Carol Tracy, a Spread neighborhood resident I experiences recurrent money problems must recognize it could be a symptom of a situation. That emotional mix-uwell-rounde- p may seem like an ambiguous statement, but in checking out from Uncle Sam and local my quirks, believe it is accurate and descriptive of me. I either need a permanent manager or to find a Spendthrifts' Anonymous club. My credit report reflects my pattern of instability. Lately, I've managed to get it on an upward curve, but I'm slipping again. At creditors. times I I After each spendthrift disaster, I budget like a Spartan churchmouse for a time; then something seems to snap and I'm in difficulty again. The problem with all the available, practical advice on budgeting and management is that a person who I I have considered consulting with Consumer Credit Counseling Service, but I've heard that if one places his budget management with this service, that fact is reported to the Credit Bureau and the stigma is almost as devastating as a bankruptcy. I decided to phone. No harm a strong enough foundation that they will continue to support the Community Center. today and paying tomorrow is a way of life in this country. In fact, credit buying is one of the reasons our economy is the richest in the world." ''Of the 718 cases (individuals and families) we are counseling at present," continued Taylor, "incomes range from welfare to $2000 monthly take home pay. Our service helped a woman on welfare to pay off a $2,000 note to a some time to analyze his He embarrassments I've subjected myself to and they're doing great. Maybe I'm a good truth fairy anyhow. finance company at $10.00 a month. On the other end of the scale, we assisted a man who listed $19,000 in bills. With our counseling and interceding for him with his creditors, he was able to take problems. to strive toward making money management a harmonious part of their lives. Notwithstanding the discord erratic management has brought to me, I've advised my children, gotten them situated with good credit unions, informed them, unsparingly of the pitfalls and decided, ultimately, to sell his home which enabled him to pay out in five getting it months." Taylor informed me one can or come to telephone 322-559the office at 204 West 4th South anytime during business hours for budget advice. He assured me that 3 together one can get advice, strictly confidential, without formally model I'm a magnificent failure in several areas of my life. For example, my children have voted me the world's most irresponsible tooth fairy. used to be a fair Easter Bunny assistant and a faithful Santa's helper, but could use refresher admit courses. One of my more persistent failures is money management. Money may not buy love and happiness, but it can, if properly managed, insure peace and quiet have laid 00000000000 , residency portion of the s is undesirable because "you have to live in the area to really know what the problems are here." Koncar noted that the chairman of the Center's and personnel within the Center need not be Central City residents. Koncar said the proposed have enough pride and Koncar, by-law- o o them." The Commissioner said he o understands the conflicts and pressures that go with the job of o director. One condition that has 0 arisen, he said, o that the director often has had to act as o "buffer" between the public and o members and administrative have to absorb the referring to the Center's Board of Directors. "I don't think there will be any dramatic changes occurring at the Center." The people of Central City, continued that. One doesn't have to give one's name. Dale G. Taylor, Director of Consumer Credit in Counseling, talked to me in a warm, concerned and open manner. He and his advisory board are aware of the tendency of the business world to "punish" an individual because he has a record of experiencing financial difficulty at one time or another. Taylor has consulted with banks, gas, oil and credit card g companies, as well as with so far as to personally intercede in individual cases in order to improve the image of the person who has the integrity and courage to seek credit assistance FHA--goin- he is forced into bankruptcy. "One shouldn't feel isolated before and disgraced because he finds he isn't matching his income to his committing himself to counseling services. Sometimes one can, after a serious discussion, feel confident enough to go to his creditors and work out his own problems. Financial institutions also offer financial guidance, according to Taylor. He stated that a good credit union, for example, can be a consumer's best financial friend. "Local businesses help support Consumer Credit Counseling Service, stressed Taylor. "Our fee is $4.00 a month and this fee is waived in hardship cases. Some counseling services do charge considerably larger fees, so one should make sure he knows if he is to be charged and what the exact amount of the fee is." Two local high schools are now NEWS, NOWAND THEN A newspaper. That always business of recording what is - -- after it was. Living ever in the past, because is - - prophecy left to those with higher powers. But to record for the multitudes what will be just hours after it has been, is a calling - - - holy, high and unique. As the future becomes the present, it's preserved in eternal ink. offering financial - Jack Stephen Bailey - management courses, Taylor informed me, with three more considering such a course for the future. Education of the younger generation, both from home and from the schools, is a vital part of encouraging Joe and Jane Public (Ed. Note. What a beautiful tribute - thanks from the staff of the Model Neighborhood News.) |