BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis weighed in on the recent decision by the Stoddard County Sheltered Facilities Board (SB 40) to not renew the contract with the County Sheltered Workshop at the regular meeting of the County Commission recently.
Mathis said a previous commitment prevented him from attending the SB 40 Board meeting held Nov. 16, but he wanted to express his opinion on some of the issues that surfaced at that meeting.
"The relationship between the SB 40 Board and the Workshop Board has been terrible at best," said Mathis, noting that bad feelings between the two date back to 2009.
"I, personally, feel that the staff and board at the Workshop are good people and have the best interest of the people served at heart," Mathis said. "I also feel that the SB 40 Board is made up of good people who have the best interest of the developmentally disabled at heart."
Mathis explained that the Workshop Board is not appointed by the commission, while the SB 40 Board is appointed by the commission. He noted these board members serve without pay.
Mathis said he did not agree with another commissioner who wanted to recall SB 40 Board members. He said he is not sure that there is a mechanism a to provide for a recall.
"We appoint them and they take care of their own business," Mathis stated. He also noted that both SB 40 Board Members Clay Prough and Joe Weber have the interest of the developmentally disabled as their top priority. Both have a child that is served by SB 40 programs.
"They both worked hard to get the tax passed to provide these programs," stated Mathis. "I respect and thank them."
"I have issues with both sides," said Mathis.
Mathis said he should have done more as presiding commissioner to help resolve the differences between the two boards after the original dispute in 2009.
"I apologize to the SB 40 Board, the Workshop Board and the people of the county," Mathis said.
Mathis said it appears the issue could be headed for a legal challenge.
Mathis said both sides have cited state legal statutes supporting their actions or, in the case of the SB 40 Board, allegations they have failed to meet legal requirements. Mathis said he was not an attorney and would not weigh in on legal issues.
"I will let someone smarter than me resolve this issue," concluded Mathis.
Commissioner Carol Jarrell said following the meeting that she regretted attacking anyone personally at the Nov. 16 meeting.
"I just disagree with the actions they have taken," said Jarrell.