Gordon Main Street manager explains why he’s calling it quits

GORDON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bruce Daniel has served as a volunteer with Main Street Gordon (formerly known as Gordon Better Hometown) for 15 years.

Last year, he was hired as manager, but now he’s stepping down.  He submitted his two weeks notice last week.  The decision came after a disagreement over the town’s annual Fall-Line Festival.

“We have to guarantee a fireworks show, we have to guarantee the band, we have to guarantee the tents, the dance floor–things like that,” Daniel tells 41NBC.  “Right now, we just don’t have that kind of ability as a Better Hometown to guarantee that payment not knowing the financial future of the city.”

Daniel says when he suggested the city not have its Fall-Line Festival this October, Mayor Mary Whipple-Lue told him it’d happen anyway and that she was appointing a city council member to serve as liaison between the Main Street Gordon board and council.

“We’ve never had a city council person to oversee our affairs,” Daniel says.  “The manager has always been that person that has dealt with the city council.”

Daniel writes in his resignation letter, “Rather than place the Main Street Program in an unfavorable position with the city, I have chosen to resign.”  He says it’s been tough lining up sponsors and vendors for the festival this year, because no one wants to commit.

He says festival costs can run as high as $18,000 and the goal is usually to break even, not make a profit.

“We have serious concerns about safety,” Daniel says.  “We have serious concerns about the financial future of the city.”

Daniel says the city can’t even pay back Main Street Gordon for repairs it’s done around town. 

“Right now, they owe us $3,100 for expenses to the Discovery Center that was approved by city council,” Daniel says.  “We’ve sent all the required paperwork, the bids, city council approved it, but we still have no check.”

Daniel’s last day as manager is May 19.  He will stay on as board chairman.  The city will hire a new manager in the coming months.
   
As for that payment they’re still waiting on from the city, we spoke with city councilman Terry Eady Monday night.  He says he’s seen the check, and it’s written out, but no one has signed it yet.
   
We did try to meet up with the mayor, but since it was after 5, city hall was locked.  We will stay on this story and give her the opportunity to speak on it.