Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Greater Napanee council formally accepted the resignation of five members of the Downtown Greater Napanee BIA board of directors on at their Feb. 9 council meeting.
The latest resignations meant 11 board members had left the BIA in the last year. When operating at full capacity, the BIA (Business Improvement Area) is made up of volunteers who have a stake in the downtown business section with the goal of promoting and supporting local storeowners.
In accepting the letters council also addressed the fact each statement had a similar theme, which cited negativity, yelling and criticism from a small number of BIA members as the reason for wanting out.
“Since joining I have come to the realization that my hope of doing my best would never be enough,” Michelle Edgar wrote in her letter, which was read by mayor Marg Isbester during the meeting. “As a board we have been met with negative attitudes, yelling members and critics the entire way. I am always up for a healthy debate but to be constantly told everything we are doing is wrong is too much for me. I will always support the betterment of our amazing town but it will not be in this capacity. Thank you for your leadership and support over the past six months. I have truly enjoyed getting to know all of you.”
Lori Morris’ letter echoed those sentiments.
“Please accept this letter of resignation from the board (of) directors of the Napanee BIA,” wrote Morris. “I have enjoyed working with each of you but the negativity we have faced at every board meeting over the past year has worn me down and I do not feel I can be an effective board member moving forward. I wish the BIA and future board members the best in their endeavours.”
Pam Oliver, Kristy Smith and Kerri Brockman also submitted letters stating their intent to resign. In doing so, that left just Doris Lucas as the lone business owner on the board, along with council rep Bob Norrie and paid staff member Krystal Snyder.
“I’ve had a very hard time in the last year not speaking out on what’s been going on within the BIA,” said councillor Ellen Johnson, who owns a business in downtown Napanee. “I’ve bitten my tongue. I’ve not spoken when my heart was worried. But what’s currently happening within our BIA has become a reflection of our community as a whole.”
Johnson noted she didn’t want to be perceived as having undue influence on the BIA as both a councillor and a business owner and so she didn’t speak up sooner. She also complimented the board members for their dedication to the town while also managing a business during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite their best efforts and the willingness to put the needs of the whole above the needs of any individual, board members have been harangued and criticized by a few who felt their efforts did not align with what would be the best for one or two BIA board members,” added Johnson. “This has resulted with today’s count, 11 resignations within the past year. I feel it’s important that as a council we now find a way to help this board move forward.”
Johnson suggested council come up with ideas on how to assist the board moving forward to prevent further negative treatment of future board members. The BIA is a committee of council.
“While they have been criticized for not reflecting the needs of some members, communication is a two way street and it was very, very quiet,” added Johnson in reference to the harassment that was noted by some of the resigning board members. “An unwillingness to accept answers to questions that don’t align with personal goals doesn’t change the answers and this type of badgering has led us to where we are today.”
Following the mass resignations on Jan. 28, Norrie sent a letter to all BIA members seeking applications to join the board. The original intent was to have enough interest to appoint new members at the Feb. 9 meeting. That idea was placed on hold for the time being when Norrie noted they had only one person express interest before the deadline. He did note however a few more people have since expressed interest.
In the meantime, the BIA is expected to continue with preparing to plant flowers to beautify the downtown this spring and also accept applications for summer students while everything else is on hold until they can hold a quorum. The budget for the year is still yet to be passed by council.
Norrie put forward the successful motion that council would come back with ideas for their next meeting to help create a better working environment at the BIA going forward. Council also voted to send letters thanking the resigning members for their service.