Another Signal Mountain Parks Board member speaks out

This letter was provided to me by Tish Gailmard, long-term member of the Signal Mountain Parks Board in response to the ouster from the Parks Board of Dr. Jeff Duncan by Town Council member Annette Allen:

Dr. Jeff Duncan’s term on the Signal Mountain Parks Board “was allowed to expire without public vetting nor a direct vote.” This is a true statement and one that the citizens of Signal Mountain should be aware of before they vote in the upcoming election.

Dr. Duncan challenged the Parks Board to think harder and more open mindedly about the proposed donation of conservation easements over town-owned lands to an outside land trust.  Bill Fronk, secretary of the board, took it upon himself to state that the board was in favor of the easement. I am also a member of this board and I voted on no such proposal. Jeff notes “that there had been no vote by the Parks Board nor Town Council adopting the position detailed in Mr. Fronk's letter as the town's policy” which is completely accurate.

Furthermore, the next action in this story is even more appalling to me. When Annette Allen, current Signal Mountain Town Council member seeking re-election, asked Jeff to withdraw his application for a new term as a Parks Board member, she clearly had an agenda even though she states her rationale as identifying a qualified replacement who was retired and had more time.

The Signal Mountain Parks Board is run by a few who are well intentioned, but do not handle business properly. Many ideas are discussed, but the work that is passed is biased and close minded. A board is meant to be a consulting entity to guide practices. Board members bring expertise which helps the board wisely discuss matters. Unfortunately, the current Parks Board acts on the input and desires of a select few. While trails may be maintained and built, new ideas that can affect the future of Signal Mountain’s town owned lands and other important and lasting decisions may be in jeopardy.