Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Lois Golden has been ‘removed? from her position, effectively immediately. Seven DDA boardmembers made the unanimous decision at their Sept. 8 regular meeting.
The board’s vote came at the expiration of Golden’s three-month opportunity to improve on her performance evaluation, according to president Gene Carlson.
?[The board] really felt there wasn’t any change or improvement,? said Carlson. ‘We gave her a number of things we felt she needed to improve on. ‘At the end of the time period, we told her we’d review these issues again. We saw the same things, the same issues.?
According to Carlson, the board found issue with Golden’s organization, communication and use of procedure.
‘Organization is probably the biggest [issue]? he said.
Carlson also noted the board was displeased that the DDA failed to receive Main Street accreditation this year. Main Street is a national program that the DDA uses to achieve its goals of revitalizing and preserving the downtown Lake Orion business district.
‘I can’t say that Lois failed but I can say that Lois had a hand in that,? Carlson said of the accreditation. He added that failing to become accredited wasn’t a deciding factor in dismissing Golden, but was something the board took into consideration when making their decision.
According to Carlson and Village Manager Paul Zelenak, the DDA has worked up a job description and is posting the vacant position on various Web sites. Carlson said the board would like to see the position filled within 30 to 60 days.
Until then, all DDA events and programs will move forward as scheduled, including the Dragon on the Lake festival, which celebrates the village’s 150th anniversary.
Carlson noted that the downtown authority may hire a consultant in the interim, but he has faith in current DDA staff and boardmembers.
?[The staff] are very capable and smart people,? he said, adding, ‘boardmembers will spend a lot of extra time to keep things on track and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.?
‘Obviously we will do whatever we can,? said Zelenak. ‘We have to move forward.?