Over the course of two weeks, Stoddard County commissioners have interviewed eight candidates for a Senate Bill 40 board spot and two others up for reappointment June 30.
Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis and Commissioners Carol Jarrell and Steve Jordan, who will be referred to by their initials, are expected to make their appointments during the Monday, July 9 commission meeting.
Appointments to the board must be made prior to the July 19 SB40 board meeting.
JOSH HESTER
Hester has served as pastor of the Dudley Church of God for the past seven years and currently serves on the Stoddard County Sheltered Workshop board.
If appointed to the SB40 board, Hester said he would step down from his current position on the Sheltered Workshop board to not give any idea he was showing favoritism to the board by maintaining a seat.
Hester said he had been tossing around the idea of serving on the SB40 board for several months and thought about what he, personally, could bring to the board.
"I would definitely look forward to the task and challenge of working on the SB40 board and helping with current challenges facing and being a servant to the community and taxpayers of Stoddard County," he said.
CJ: What could the SB40 and Sheltered Workshop boards do to accomplish a solution for everyone?
JH: There has to be open communication between the two boards. It can't be one sided and can't be dangling of a carrot by the board holding the purse strings and lashing back. There really needs to be people on the SB40 board who have some sort of interest in the existing Sheltered Workshop. This is a board who is suppose to be looking out for the best interest of not only the taxpayers, but those that they are serving with the taxpayers money. There has got to be open dialog, communication and vested interest from both parties.
GM: When you oversee a board that assists with financial aspects of developmentally disabled, what is the most fair way to disperse monies as they come through?
JH: The SB40 board wanted the goal for the Sheltered Workshop to be a self supporting entity. The Sheltered Workshop is not designed to work that way. The Sheltered Workshop relies on contracts and taxpayer money and works great here. When you start micromanaging it can become inequitable really quick. The way it has been done I think is good because it allows you to track, but when you start to micromanage it can become very tedious.
GM: Why did the Sheltered Workshop board not respond to putting up three members with the SB40 board to talk in a smaller group as proposed at the October meeting?
JH: It had to be tabled at the time due to some financial issues that had to be addressed quickly and honestly, I don't know what happened after that. Then at the December meeting, the SB40 board decided not to renew the contract with the Sheltered Workshop. It was not because we were not willing to work with the SB40 board.
MIKE MCCOLLOUGH
McCollough worked for Gates Corporation for nearly 30 years and served on Dexter City council for six years.
He was recently appointed to the Targeted Case Management board and knows fist hand the struggles of those with disabilities.
McCollough's sister has attended the Sheltered Workshop and ARC in the past. She is currently being served through Targeted Case Management.
"It is my goal to assist in the support of those with challenges and to make sure they are treated fairly with dignity and the respect they deserve," he said. "My main concern is there are some issues that need to be resolved and I would like to take a positive interest in getting those issues nailed down and resolved."
SJ: Would you be willing to work on both sides to help resolve the issues?
MM: Yes, you have to have a consensus and make a rule and say that's the way it will be. I'm not afraid to make hard decisions and I think I can make fair decisions. No one person is right 100 percent of the time. I would make decisions based upon what's best for the developmentally disabled. I would explain my positions and I would keep an open mind while forming opinions.
CJ: What are your feelings about cutting off the funds to the Sheltered Workshop before the new center was built?
MM: I'm concerned about a lot of things, but that is a major one. I have concerns about the circumstances that got them to that point, but I want to understand why they got to that point. I think effort on both sides could have been greater. You can disagree, but the objective to the clients should never waiver.
GM: What are your ideas on bidding if appointed to the board?
MM: You should set the minimum at state standards and I'm not opposed to going below that. There are emergency situations where a bid shouldn't be required, but you have to get bids. That's the biggest mistake the SB40 board made.
GM: How would you like to see the financial dispersion from SB40 to different entities of the developmentally disabled?
MM: I would like to see a budget to justify asking for a certain amount of dollars. You have to have checks and balances.
SHEILA ALSUP
Alsup, who currently serves on the SB40 board, is an independent contracted physical therapist who has worked with the developmentally disabled the majority of her career. "I work closely with the families of the developmentally disabled and been an advocate for them as they deal with their disability and succeed in meeting their goals," she said. "This is something I care about and want to look after them to the best of my ability."
SJ: You have been on the SB40 board for six years. Do you know where the problems culminated from?
SA: I try to be as objective as can because the priority for me, personally, is to see what's going to benefit the developmentally disabled. I want to protect them and guard the taxpayers money. In the past year we had to make a controversial decision that the Sheltered Workshop really wasn't serving the disabled as well as what I believe they could have. Not to renew that contract was one of the hardest decisions. Why we voted in July to proceed with the building was because at least we could monitor the condition of the building. We want to do everything we can to make the working conditions nice and safe. We felt a sense of urgency on the start date and heating. I feel like it's a good way to spend money because it's an investment.
SJ: How does Echoes, Inc., line up with the Stoddard County Gospel Mission?
SA: It will not compare to the rescue mission because (Echoes) can't be a thrift store on that level. Our primary focus is on the developmentally disabled and employment. Echoes will provide job opportunities for those outside the typical job setting. I feel it will be a benefit to the rescue mission because it's not going to be able to manage the volume of donations. It will be small in comparison and I could see Echoes being a major donator to the rescue mission as things are taken in. I really think it will benefit everyone and certainly the disabled.
GM: Progressive Industries and Echoes, Inc., have separate boards from SB40 to manage. Who do they answer to? Their board or SB40?
SA: There has to be cooperation between all the boards. Accountability will be to the disabled and Progressive Industries and Echoes will send a report to SB40 as the county workshop has done all these years.
VERRELL
MARCHBANKS
Marchbanks spent the majority of her career in the banking and aluminum industry and worked for a family with a disabled daughter who she helped care for at times.
"I have always had a desire to be involved in community or charitable work," Marchbanks said.
She has served on the Sheltered Workshop board, but only attended one meeting because she has "strongly different opinions of how the organization should be run."
She also had a sister who was unable to live outside the home in addition to caring for the daughter of the family who was unable to speak and did not adjust well to change.
SJ: Do you have any problem making tough decisions to fix the problems going on both sides of the aisle?
VM: There is an answer always, it's just finding it. The goal is to do the right thing and that is not always pleasant.
CJ: Should the Sheltered Workshop contract and taxpayer's funds been cut?
VM: I think it's critical to have a Sheltered Workshop in the community. It should be operated as a public entity rather than viewed as a private enterprise for the benefit of one or another. I think cutting the funding as done and the way I was told, no, I think it should have been phased out. I think the facility over there is abysmal and I wouldn't want a family member working there.
GM: What are your thoughts on the new building being built on a no bid contract?
VM: It's probably illegal. When I was with DAEOC years ago I recall having to have three bids, advertise in the newspaper, present the bids at a meeting and the winner was designed by the decision of the board.
GM: If you see something happening on the SB40 board you don't agree with would you point it out?
VM: It's never wrong to ask a question or debate an answer.
DANIEL ROBINSON
Robinson has two children with special needs, teaches training classes on effective communication with children and adults with disabilities and has been involved in offering counseling for over 30 years.
He previously expressed interest in applying for the SB40 board a couple of years ago when a spot was open.
Robinson said the disabled have a voice too, but they don't always get to be heard and wants to help not only the clients, but all involved to help problem solve.
"I feel like I have a lot of experiences that can help with people on the board," he said.
SJ: What are your feelings on the problems that have risen since the last time you were here?
DR: I have an understanding there is a conflict, but I'm not sure what exactly the specific issues are. I want to sit down and know both sides and their positions and what they want to accomplish. Then how they tried to accomplish and didn't get anywhere and what we might do different to get to where it needs to be.
SJ: How do you feel about Progressive Industries in planning on opening Echoes which could be in competition with the gospel mission?
DR: Both places will provide a lot of opportunity to individuals to buy things. It might be in competition, but I don't know if it's any different then having a lot of yard sales. There is a need and so many people looking. They may find what they are looking for at one place and not the other. They will not have the exact same items.
CJ: Do you have concerns for those working at the Sheltered Workshop and think it's an unsafe working environment?
DR: I know it's an old building, but I'm not an expert in that area. I feel the bathrooms are too small and not big enough for the handicapped.
GM: If you have a strong opinion on something can you voice it?
DR: I can disagree with someone and not have to correct them. I don't have all the answers, but I will share my opinions. You can stand up for what you believe in without being difficult.
SHIRLEY FANN
Fann has a background in social services and worked for DAEOC and the Division of Family Services.
"I do care about persons with developmental conditions," she said. "I have a son and grandson who are effected and I feel like I know a lot about their needs."
SJ: What are you opinions on the Sheltered Workshop contract not being renewed?
SF: I know enough about budgets and dollars to know you don't take everything totally away from anybody.
SJ: What is your opinion on using taxpayer money to build the new building?
SF: I have a real problem with my tax dollars paying for things that are not needed. I can't understand why SB40 took the money away from the Sheltered Workshop and are going to open a shop.
GM: If you are on the SB40 board and they want to spend money and you don't believe in it or have a problem with it, would you have a problem telling them?
SF: I definitely don't have any problems telling. You can bet I will ask why, when and where. If I'm on the board I would spend the money like it belongs to me and that's very carefully.
RAY MCLANE
McLane was in the Naval Reserve, a former city of Advance employee and currently works for SEMO Electric and serves on the Senior Citizen Housing Board in Advance.
"I was asked if I was interested in serving on the SB40 board," McLane said. "I want to make sure the mentally and developmentally disabled are taken care of and keep a check on the county tax money."
CJ: Would you be open minded to hearing all boards represented?
RM: I am very open minded and feel it is important to listen to both sides.
GM: If you are on the SB40 board and you see them doing something not right or you don't agree with could you speak up?
RM: I work on a day to day basis with that at SEMO Electric and when I get an order and it's not right I go back to the person that wrote it up and tell them it's not right.
GM: Would you question why an entity is requesting money for something?
RM: I can ask the questions. I am a very organized and detailed person with financials and money. I don't know all the ends and outs of how all this works, but I'm willing to learn.
DANNY GRIFFIN
Griffin is currently on the Sheltered Workshop board, served in the United States Army and is a retired child support enforcement technician.
"I have been on the Sheltered Workshop board so I understand how it works and have a nephew at the Sheltered Workshop," he said. "I just want to do what suppose to and help the disabled function to the best ability they can. I want to try to correct current problems and find better solutions with tax payer money."
SJ: How do you feel about the contract not being renewed?
DG: I don't like it because the Sheltered Workshop can't function like it's suppose to. They went out and got new work to help out, but that only goes so far because there is only so much work out there we can pull in for the people at the workshop to do.
CJ: You currently have a nephew working at the Sheltered Workshop. How do you feel about him working out there?
DG: He is on the mowing crew and he likes to mow and tinker with lawn mowers. He is always happy and loves what he does. It doesn't just give the clients a little money, which means a lot, but it also gives a chance to practice social skills and build relationships. I'm comfortable with him working there and it's quite safe. He likes it so that means a lot too. Some upgrades are definitely needed on the workshop building, but I don't think it's a danger to anybody if it's not done right away.
CJ: If you were appointed to the SB40 board would you come off the Sheltered Workshop board and look at both sides and make fair judgements?
DG: Yes because SB40 and Sheltered Workshop have their missions. All are suppose to be for the benefit of the people who work there.
GM: Do you have an issue asking questions and why?
DG: No because if you are on the board you need to know what's going on with SB40 money and it's suppose to go to the Sheltered Workshop. You have a right to ask, but you don't need to scream and yell. If you are on the SB40 board those people are your clients too and they should be an interest of both. We all work for the benefit of the workshop. I hope things can get worked out to where there is not all the animosity and the good will is going toward the people that work at the Sheltered Workshop. That should be the priority of all of us.