Geneva senior center boss out in authority row
Geneva Township Senior Center Director Sherri Weitl is quitting less than a year after the township opened its new center, apparently in a dispute over her responsibilities and authority.
And the township's senior services committee, which advises the township board about matters relating to the senior center, let the township board know Wednesday night that it was steamed about the matter.
"I was shocked when I got the letter," committee Chairman Bob Wilson said, saying Weitl cited a lack of authority to carry out her responsibilities as the reason for quitting. Reached after the meeting, Weitl refused to comment but said she would send a copy of her resignation letter to the Daily Herald today. Township Supervisor Patrick Jaeger did not have the letter with him Wednesday night.
Members, including Merritt King, a former longtime Geneva alderman, heaped praise upon Weitl.
"I'm shocked and angered. But I certainly don't blame her for doing so," he said, addressing the township board, which was in the audience.
Committee members complained they have no authority to make financial decisions about programming for the center. They also said they don't know how much money is available to run the center, so they don't know what kind of programming they can afford.
They feel their requests are unanswered, down to such things as getting blinds for the windows in the room that they use for movies and audio-visual presentations. They cited several items -- one being that Weitl has to have the monthly newsletter, which outlines activities, approved by a township trustee and supervisor before it is mailed out -- as an example of how Weitl lacks the authority they think she needs to do the job. They pointed out their request for a TV on which to show movies was denied, so Weitl has lent hers.
Township Supervisor Patrick Jaeger countered that the township has faced an unexpected $19,000 expense in its assessor's office, saying that means the township's budget is "very tight" through the rest of the fiscal year.
He defended some policies, such as not allowing Weitl to have more than a $250 limit on a township-issued credit card for purchasing supplies, saying the township has accounts at area businesses that can be used for purchasing supplies.
"Don't think there hasn't been a request I did not agree with or think was reasonable," he told the senior committee. "Some expenses may seem minor. But the budget is tight."
Weitl will be gone as of Feb. 15. Township administrative assistant Sheri McMurray will work half-days on senior center business until a new director is hired. Jaeger said he has a candidate for the job already and would like to have her hired at the February township board meeting.
Weitl was hired as senior center director in May 2006. In May 2007, the township opened the new center and township offices in the old Geneva History Center in Wheeler Park, after extensive remodeling. The senior center offers classes, lectures, a lounge, Golden Diners lunches, AARP tax preparation aid and more.
Weitl came to the township from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, where she was associate director.
Money for Weitl's salary -- $38,850 in this year's budget -- comes out of the administration line item in the Town Fund budget, as does $20,000 to run the center.
Jaeger said the township cannot legally create a separate budget within the budget for the senior center, nor can it delegate responsibility for its expenditures to an employee.
He did agree, however, that the township board should work with the senior services committee to come up with something like a budget, outlining what the senior services committee would like to do, before next year's budget is approved. The fiscal year ends March 31.
And both the senior services committee and the township board agreed each should assign a representative to regularly attend the other's meetings to improve communication.