Where Did The Money Go?

UPDATED: Sept. 23, 2011

“Where did the money go?” Tullahoma Fine Arts Center board member Kevin Farris asked Troy McFarland, who found himself on the hot seat at TFAC's September board meeting. McFarland, who served as board president, was apparently blind-sided by members, who demanded that he resign and repay the center $10,441, they allege has been “misappropriated.”

McFarland's reply was as sketchy as the center's paperwork has been since January. A recent financial audit, conducted by Allen McGee and Associates, found that the center “failed to maintain supporting documentation for 144 of the 151 disbursements made, totaling $38,551.” According to the audit, $10,694 in checks were written to McFarland for “reimbursements of construction costs, advertising and other expenses.”
Beginning last fall, MiddleTennesseeArts.com asked to view the minutes of TFAC board meeting and the treasurer's reports, only to be repeatedly rebuffed. Documents received in the last two weeks reveal the center had a total balance of $30,482.91 in several banks in December. This included $20,953.22 of the Williams Trust Endowment Fund.

Created in 1968, its founders bet that the center would thrive, supported by an art-loving community. But since 2001, the arts center has been on a losing streak, hemorrhaging money. Even with the City of Tullahoma pumping tax-payer money into it.
The center had deficits for seven of the last nine fiscal years, ending in 2010, with excess money only for 2004 and 2007. In all, the center lost $49,189 since the 2001 fiscal year.

Last fall, the Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave the center $10,400. This fiscal year's budget proposes to pay the center a percentage of the city's hotel-motel tax proceeds. According to Tullahoma City Administrator Jody Baltz, TFAC should receive approximately the same as last year, maybe a little more.

TFAC bookkeeper Jamie Knight told the board on September 8, that the center owes more than $9,000 and “has only $1,000 in the bank.” According to Knight, the city had to step in to prevent the Tullahoma Utility Board from cutting power off to the center, due to an unpaid $1,200 bill.

As they did last fall, city officials are once again rallying behind the center.
Newly-elected Mayor Lane Curlee said the center is “an asset for Tullahoma” and the city will continue to support it financially.

Alderman Greg Sandlin agrees it is vital to the city's economy and cultural well-being. But added that “we shouldn't write another check until we can see some financial responsibility on the board at TFAC.”

This was Sandlin's sentiment last year when the city held back funding for TFAC until a viable board was in place at the center. Under pressure from TFAC membership, Lucy Hollis resigned as president on August 23, 2010, citing “recent and continuing health problems.” A new seven-member board headed by McFarland was elected a few weeks later, and the city restored funding.

McFarland made radical changes at the center, cleaning it out, bringing in new furniture, new artists and drafting new bylaws—but “we were definitely shooting from the hip,” said McFarland.

Shooting from the hip for the board included voting McFarland TFAC executive director, another position also held by his predecessor, Hollis, and using a controversial provision of the new bylaws to squelch opposing views.
The proposed clause allowed any TFAC member to “be expelled or suspended by the Board of Directors.”

Even though the bylaws had not been approved by the general membership, Keith Moore was removed from the board in January, for his “actions and non-actions,” according to an unsigned letter Moore said he received from TFAC a few days later.

According to an unofficial copy of the minutes of the January 6 meeting, the “non-action” was not helping deliver a Christmas tree to the center. And the “actions” were talking to the Tullahoma News about Moore's concern over the direction McFarland was taking the center.

Moore, who did not attend the meeting, was voted out by McFarland, Corresponding Secretary Jon Gray, Vice President Leslie Wurst and Treasurer Roxane Garrett. Only Farris opposed the motion.

Also at the January meeting, Gray requested a policy be developed to prevent “negative [press] coverage of internal issues.”

Sometime after the January meeting, Garrett and Wurst resigned.
In April, when MTA tried to determine who was then serving on the board, McFarland and Gray refused to say.

Gray, who is co-owner of Peahead Productions, which produces The Newsleader cable program in Tullahoma, said he was tired of MTA's negative stories about the center and that there was “only good news” at the center.

“We have enough people on the board,” said Gray. “You are dragging us all in the ditch, and we have one wheel on the float. Don't knock the damn axle off before we get the second wheel on. Every time it's like some cloak and dagger sh--. I can't answer your question.”

Knight said that last week, she, Farris and TFAC Treasurer Becky Shelton filed a report with the Tullahoma Police Department alleging that McFarland had “misappropriated” $15,000. She said that amount may be revised as further facts are gathered.

District Attorney General Mickey Layne said that if the Tullahoma police conclude the investigation, “we will likely present the case to the grand jury. If it is concluded in time, that would be on October 11.”

Layne said he did not believe the investigation would be lengthy “considering the type of documentation with this case.”

According to Tullahoma Police Chief Paul Blackwell, McFarland was charged with “theft of property” from the arts center amounting to around $2,200. Blackwell said McFarland turned himself in to the Coffee County Jail in Manchester on Wednesday and posted bond.

“We're continuing to look into the matter and are working with the fine arts center [gathering information],” said Blackwell, adding that additional charges could be forthcoming.

McFarland told the board, earlier this month, he had taken actions to make a “dramatic change” at the center, but denied he had taken money for himself.

“I knew when I brought Jamie in, she would find all of this stuff. [It was not] that I thought I would get away with something or flying off to Jamaica with a big bag of money,” said McFarland.

“A lot of decisions were made without the approval of the general membership, but were made by either myself or the handful of board members that were left,” said McFarland. “You're back at zero. Everything I've done to this point makes no difference. I feel sorry for the next person coming behind me. I wanted to leave the place better than it was when I found it. And look-wise you've got it—but, internally its a mess.”

McFarland could not be reached Friday for additional comment.

TFAC will hold a special membership meeting beginning at 6pm on September 29, during which new board members will be elected and the proposed new bylaws will be voted on.

4-3 VOTE EXTENDS TULLAHOMA’S DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS CONTRACT

The winds of change, which swept Troy Bisby from the office of Tullahoma Mayor, almost nixed the contract extension of Tullahoma’s Director of Schools during Monday night's school board meeting.

John Manis, one of three Tullahoma School Board members to oppose Dr. Dan Lawson’s contract extension, said that “there are people in Tullahoma who feel there is a need for a fresh start and a fresh philosophy on how we run the school system.”

The board approved extending Lawson's contract to June 30, 2013 with a 4-3 vote. The vote occurred immediately after Vicki Shelton's motion for an extension, with no discussion from board members. Opposing the contract were Manis, Teresa Lawson and Sharon Vance. Voting in favor were Shelton, Linda Thoma, Daryl Welch and Pat Welsh.

After the meeting, Manis said that his vote was influenced largely by “a difference in opinion on how things are managed within the school system” and not on Lawson's performance as director.

“There are some things that we do very well in the Tullahoma school system, and also some things that we could do better.”

“My biggest thing is a philosophical difference of running the schools as a system and not running them separately, as they have been for the last 25 years.”

Manis believes that the board's vote was a “fairly balanced reflection of how the community feels about the school system. There are some people who feel there should be a change, and others think that things are running just fine.”

According to Manis, he received many calls from administration personnel, parents, teachers and students with views on both sides.

Vance, who was elected to the board last year, said she also had received many emails and calls with concerns on how the system was being run.

“I started receiving them while I was campaigning for the school board,” Vance said. “Basically they feel that it is time for a change.”

And Vance agreed.

Despite their “no” votes, both Vance and Manis said they will continue to work with Lawson.

“I accept the decision [of the board],” said Manis. “We've got great things in Tullahoma. And we'll just continue to move the Tullahoma school system forward.”

Lawson said this was the first time in 20 years that he has failed to have his contract unanimously approved by a board.

Before accepting his position as Tullahoma's school director in 1997, Lawson had performed a similar role in Mountain Grove, Missouri.

“ I would have liked a unanimous vote again, but I'm not truly surprised [by the vote],” said Lawson, adding “A vote like that means you are operating on borrowed time.”

South Jackson Goes Country August 12

It's that time of the year, when South Jackson Civic Center's stage is dedicated to all things country.

South Jackson Goes Country is known as much for its live commercials, as it is for its musical performances. But this year, Saturday's lineup will include Sarah Blair, who will raise the caliber of the show a notch.

Absent from the annual country extravaganza for several years, Blair will be performing two numbers, including Two More Bottles of Wine, made famous in the 1970s by Emmylou Harris.
One might consider this to be an odd selection, considering Blair is a member of the Christian music group, Beyond Me, featuring Jonathan Fly.

But it is all in fun, said Blair.

“They wanted me to sing something old,” said Blair. “I had just met Kenny Wrinn, [a member of the South Jackson Goes Country house band], and he said, 'Sarah, can you do this song.' And he started playing. And I said, 'Oh my gosh. My mom used to [sing] that when I was a little kid.’ And it's so funny that I could remember the words from that time.”

“I just had to perform it, because it was so bizarre he asked me to do that particular song.”

Blair, who grew up in Toronto, Canada, has been living in Tullahoma with her husband, Dr. Mark Blair, a general surgeon, and her two children, for the last 11 years. Music has been an important part of her life since she was a small child, and it remains so.

“I just love it,” aid Blair. “My family is very musical. My thirteen-year-old son, Jake, plays the piano amazingly. And he's begun to write music. My daughter, Faith, who turns eight, will be performing for the first time during the show, by herself. And I think it is awesome that Tullahoma has this arts venue for all ages."

Music could just be in her childrens genes.

Their great-uncle was Johnny Cymbal, a songwriter, singer and record producer, based in Nashville. According to a Wikipedia entry, he was responsible for such hit records as Cinnamon, Mary In The Morning, and I'm Drinking Canada Dry.

“I'm over-joyed that they are both into singing now. It's fun. Maybe the three of us will start a family band,” she said laughing.

And her husband?

“My husband is our biggest fan,” said Blair. “He is really behind us. Today, during rehearsal, he texted, 'I've made sweet and sour chicken for you guys.' So I dropped my daughter off, and he made her dinner, after working all day in surgery. I'm really fortunate to have a husband who is so encouraging.”

Performances are on August 12, 13 and 14. The warm-up show begins at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday, followed by the main show at 7:30 pm. Sunday's warm-up show is at 1:30 pm, and the main show begins at 2 pm. Each day's show features a different line-up.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Reservations can be made by calling 931-455-5321

Dream Tullahoma Envisions Aerospace Museum For City

In its continuing effort to brand Tullahoma as Tennessee's aerospace city, Dream Tullahoma is joining forces with the Hands-on Science Center to create an aerospace museum.
The organizations hope to build a 5,000 sq. ft. structure to house aerospace artifacts on property adjacent to HOSC.
Dream Tullahoma, a non-profit established last year, has already raised funds for several banners and plane statues, which are being placed throughout the city.
One of the statues, purchased by Jacobs Technology and donated to Dream Tullahoma , will become part of a “proposed 'Welcome to Tullahoma' sign to be erected at the corner of Jackson and Highway 55,” said Tullahoma Alderman Stanton. “We're hopeful of having the plane erected above the sign.”
The museum is another part of the aerospace-branding plan for Tullahoma.
According to Ray Knowliss, chairman of Dream Tullahoma's aerospace museum committee, “The idea is to have an aerospace test articles museum to represent experimental aircraft or actual aircraft that have evolved during the last fifty years.” [Arnold Engineering Development Center] has been the primary tester of wind tunnel articles in this region, but there are a number of other agencies who have tested articles built in this area. With the collaboration of the Hands-on Science Center and Dream Tullahoma, we hope to put together a museum for those test articles.”
“When an aerospace company builds a wind tunnel test model they take it to AEDC or some other facility for testing,” said Knowliss. “Once they have the aerodynamic data, the model is generally surplus and winds up being stored somewhere . . . its of no further use. So my idea has been to capture some of these surplus wind tunnel models from around the country and bring them here to go in the museum.”
This is not the first time there has been a push for an aerospace museum in Coffee County. Plans to showcase the accomplishments of AEDC in a 5,000 sq. ft. museum began in 1991.
In 1999, a non-profit organization, AEDC Heritage Foundation, purchased 10 acres at exit 117 of Interstate 24 from the Coffee County Industrial Board for $10,000. The foundation had hoped to break ground for a building in 2001, but the museum never materialized.

South Jackson Gets New Face

A grant from the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is helping to spruce up the park in front of South Jackson Civic Center in Tullahoma.
Several civic-minded individuals spent Saturday planting trees, shrubbery and flowers according to a landscaping plan designed by Ralph Graham.
The $4,100 Community Foundation grant for the landscaping beautification project, was obtained by Keep Coffee County Beautiful last year, according to Scott Riddell, KCCB executive coordinator.
"And we decided to do (the project) at South Jackson Civic Center," said Riddell. "We've got a lot of plants going in, and a lot of mulch going in. The community has really helped us out and we really appreciate them."
"I'm really excited about the (landscape) designs," said Coleen Saunders, president of South Jacks0n's operations committee. "When we get it all in— we are going to be lovely."
"South Jackson is one of the first businesses or organizations when you come in (to Tullahoma). And it would be a great welcome to the community."
Among those working on Saturday, were Teri Kanan and her two daughters, Julie and Kristi.
Kanan, who is also a Tullahoma Pride Committee member, says her family enjoys volunteering their time for efforts like this.
"Our family is really big on doing community service and helping in anyway we can."
Photo: Teri Kanan and her daughter, Kristi, plant shrubs around South Jackson's flagpole. © Russel Mobley/MTA

Millennium Returns To The Fold

After a four-year absence, the Millennium Repertory Company finally returns to the Manchester Arts Center.
Representatives from both non-profit organizations signed an agreement Wednesday night in the MAC's theater.
Millennium had produced theatrical productions at the arts center, beginning in 1996 with Barefoot In The Park, until the two separate groups, broke from each other, following the destruction by fire of the original MAC building at 909 Hillsboro Boulevard, on December 3, 2006. Since that time, Millennium has been producing plays at various venues in the area.
Noel Clements, Millennium president, said over the last few years, Millennium has held productions at the Hands-on Science Center, Duck River Utility Commission building, Franklin County Library and Bean's Creek Winery.
“We also, along with the Community Playhouse and South Jackson Civic Center, produced Beyond the Rain by Weldon Payne,” said Clements. “We've been kind of floating around.”
During this time, the Manchester Municipal Arts Commission, acquired a new building, located at 128 East Main Street, with their first production in May of 2008.
In 2010, Millennium also attempted to establish a theater on the Manchester square. Although Millennium performed two successful productions there, due to its small size, the building was “not quite what we were looking for,” said Clements.
Melissa Cartwright, MMAC chairman, sees the time spent apart as a good learning experience for both organizations.
“I think we both saw we needed each other,” said Cartwright. “I think they learned the (difficulties) in having a building and paying insurance costs, and we saw the difficulties in paying for the productions and finding the people to do it.”
Cartwright said that she wanted MMAC and Millennium to bridge their differences for a long time.
"Right after the fire was when things fell apart," said Cartwright. “Things were said at a time of crisis that created a wedge between the two groups.”
MAC and Millennium have been in negotiations for almost two years.
“Joel Muehlhauser and Weldon Payne were both instrumental in talking to both sides to see what needed to be worked out,” said Cartwright. “I think it is going to be extremely positive for Manchester and the surrounding area.”
Weldon Payne, a local playwright and artist, agrees.
"I think we have one of the best theaters in Middle Tennessee," said Weldon "And we need everybody together."
Cartwright said that Millennium will cover the cost of productions, while retaining the box office receipts. MMAC will be able to receive money from sponsorships, in addition to the rent Millennium will pay for use of the facility.
According to Clements, Millennium will produce five “main stage” plays during the rest of 2011. The first, Dearly Departed will open on May 13. The abbreviated season will also include The Diary of Anne Frank.
Clements also said that Millennium will also work with MMAC to establish a “black box” theater at the MAC, to hold small productions, a reader's theater, and lectures.
"It's taken a lot of negotiations on both sides (for the joint venture)," said Joel Muelhauser, MMAC treasurer of the Manchester Municipal Arts Commission, which manages the arts center. "And we've come through some difficult times. But I think we are going to have a good organization now. It's going to work out best for the community, the Millennium and the Manchester Municipal Arts Commission.”
“It's a win, win, win situation."

The More Things Change—Well . . .

A simple question—who serves on the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center Board of Directors in the capacity of secretary and treasurer?
TFAC President Troy McFarland said Friday that he did not know.
Granted, there have been several changes in the board's makeup since the general membership elected a new seven-member board last fall, during a special election. Within days of the election, Terri Daugherty, recording-secretary, resigned. By January, at least two more board members were gone. According to McFarland, Roxane Garrett, treasurer, resigned. Keith Moore was removed from the board, through the use of a new and controversial bylaw. The bylaw states that the board can expel any member, for any reason, from the organization.
According to McFarland, a new set of bylaws were adopted in December. The center's website, which was last updated on January 20, says that "any member wishing to request a change in the current proposed ByLaws should do so in writing and delivery [sic] the request to the Arts Center."
McFarland has stated that even though the clause allows any member to be removed, it is meant "primarily for board members or chairs who have taken on a level of commitment and are not doing anything." He said that it was used by other organizations that he has been involved with, such as the Highland Rim Kiwanis Club.
Moore was kicked out in January.
The three elected-board have been replaced by Jon Gray, Becky Shelton and Stewart Copeland. They were either appointed by McFarland or elected by the remaining board members. Gray said he was elected; McFarland said he made the appointments, which was allowed by the new bylaws.
Repeated requests by MTA to view the minutes of recent board meetings to confirm the actual procedures used have been refused by McFarland.
And now, McFarland refuses to say who the TFAC officers are.
Last June, McFarland's predecessor, Lucy Hollis, refused to reveal the number of board members or their names. She also refused to allow the center's 990 tax forms to be viewed, as required by Internal Revenue Service rules.
After center members and the City of Tullahoma began questioning TFAC's operations, Hollis resigned last August.