On the first Tuesday of each month, the Central Appalachian Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) convenes a meeting of their Board of Directors at 6pm. Before that main meeting, the only active committee of the CAEZ, their Economic Development Committee, holds their meeting beginning at 4pm. In between the two gatherings, the volunteers and paid staff break bread on site.
  Last month during the full board meeting, and according to Boardster Connie Kinder, Director Connie Lupardus bailed out, she resigned from her job.
  With that being said, on the 5th, low and behold, there she was, Director "Big Lup" was present. No one said a word or even questioned her presence.
  At 4pm, the Eco/Dev Committee was barely there. Only three Boardsters were on hand for the meeting and that included Chair Michael Martin from over in Fayette County.
  Since inception of the CAEZ's day care center, the Director has always reported on how great things are going and what a wonderful program they are providing. But if you really listen to the report provided, the words are parsed with easy outs. There is never a financial report provided the membership or Board.
  We've been reporting that the CAEZ is cash poor and has been for well over a year. They may have assets but as far as having cash on hand, don't count on it.
  After the Director provided the same glowing report that mean the peanut gallery feel wonderful.  That was followed up with Chair Martin: Will we ever make money on it?" From the Director, No.
  Big Lup was a direct question where she had no wiggle room. For once, NO came from the Director and spoke volumes.
  Ten or more years ago, the CAEZ paid over $5000 to have a $100 website set up. Since then, there has not been ANY updates on the site. Many of the links are broke. Listed on the site are many Boardsters that have long since quit or passed away. A website isn't worth a hoot unless it is kept current and provides information. The CAEZ's web portal does nothing. Zip.
  During this Nov 5th meeting, office worker Gary Stuber apprised, he is updating that site. Well good, it's about time some one did something with the thang.
  As mentioned above, we think the CAEZ is financially insolvent. Here's another reason for those thoughts.
  The agency purchased the old Valley Fork Elem building for $200,001.00 many years ago. During the purchase, the idea was to turn the place into a business rental space and or a business incubator site. The bottom line was always the bottom line. Translation, CAEZ needed a money source and felt renting space there was they gold key to success.
  Long time Boardster Doyle Tawney asked how the building's rent was doing on Nov 5th. Answer, two of the rooms are rented. Note: that ever so successful day acre operation, they don't pay rent.
  Discussion turned to how to make that old school more rentable. Answers included: more signs out front, better signs, and convert the gym into rental rooms once the leaky roof and cracked floor are fixed. (Don't look for that to happen any time soon)
  Every time she's asked about their Campground lodge rentals and how many camping spaces are rented, the reply is always the same, we're doing great and Gosh we're nearly full. Using the word "nearly" has always been Lupardus' out. During this meeting further questions came on occupancy at the campground. This time around Big Lup had to fill in the details on "full". To us it sounds like, if any person or any group rents any space, then she considers it full. After further questioning on 2020 reservations, she sheepishly replied, no space are rented in April 2020.
  For  6 months, the Chair told the world, some community college was renting space with the CAEZ and would be offering  truck driving and utility climber classes. Last month she finally made public, well,   all that talk was just that. This month, when asked, Lup said the community college was no longer returning her phones or replying to her emails.
   Switching over to our proposed ERTS State Park, Big Lup felt leaving the old rotting railroad ties in place might be a good idea and would help stabilize the walking trail. She actually told her committee, every is just talk now with no decisions made.
  That last quote, that's absolutely full of you know what. Truth is, contractors are already dropping and spreading tons of regrind asphalt on the trail.
   According to the Lupster, the CAEZ has written and mailed a letter of support for saving the old Swinging Bridge down at Elkhurst.
  As that Eco/Dev meeting was ending, the question came: are you going to have a full board meeting in light of not posting an agenda?
  Big Lup's answer was about the same as last month: You can just write us up. For this Nov 5th meeting, the Chair chimed in in her defense noting that he wasn't about to go back home without holding a meeting!!! His remarks would be considered "colorful remarks."
  We left the meeting room and left before the unlawful meeting convened. Last month, Boardster and CCC member Fran King told a group, she would not attend such an unlawful assembly.
 Ass we were leaving this meeting, County Commissioners Fran King nor Connie Kinder were nowhere to be seen. Maybe they came later.
   Meetings can be fun. Connie Lupardus's remarks are often questioned. When she makes a statement at about any public gathering, her comments, statements, are questioned and she usually has to backtrack her remarks. Something about her mouth engaging before her brain kicks in.
  When she announced she was quitting her job last month, we said to ourselves, Oh Man oh Man, now who are we going to talk about and catch in  alternate facts.
  Readers, it looks like she's back for a while longer.
AW