It is perplexing to understand why a volunteer Food Bank decided to hire an executive director. It seems excessive to spend money on a salary (position range is approximately $70,000 - $75,000) when the food banks were functioning effectively as a volunteer organization. After sitting back and watching I am more concerned than ever.

In November, a person began employment for the newly created position called Executive Director (ED), which was funded for one year from a grant. At first, the issues looked like growing pains since this was a newly created position.

However, it quickly became apparent that the new executive director did not want to listen and learn. Then it just got downright ugly, and it was clear her interpersonal skills are lacking.

She utilized community resources (law enforcement) to publicly fire food bank volunteers requesting the Sheriff’s Office presence at the Food Bank during open hours while clients were present. The Sheriff has been called eight times. Why escalate something to this level? These were retaliatory firings because those fired questioned new practices, or tried to help the ED understand requirements such as USDA reporting, safe food handling, etc.

Cease and Desist letters were prepared by an attorney (JCFBA paid) and sent to six former managers/volunteers. A JCFBA board member was even arrested during food bank day at Quilcene. The case was later thrown out at court because the Board member did nothing wrong. However, this person had to go to court three times and had to incur the expense to hire an attorney.

There are many, many more examples of retaliation, fiducial irresponsibility, vendor issues and mismanagement, which further support the idea that the executive director position at the JCFBA is an experiment that did not work.

Board members, please do not renew the executive director position.

Julianne Heinzinger

Nordland