Downtown Dilemma: City remains committed to DKR despite board exodus
The Downtown Kinston Revitalization (DKR), once known as Pride of Kinston, faces significant challenges as it grapples with a series of board member resignations and criticisms of its leadership. DKR has been tasked with rejuvenating Kinston’s downtown area since 1984.
Recently, six board members – Leigh Turner, Robyn Godfrey, Lara Lang Tribula, Zac Holcomb, Susan Colomaio, and Chuck Hengst – tendered their resignations, citing various concerns about the direction and effectiveness of the organization. These resignations underscore the ongoing turmoil within DKR, which has been struggling with leadership issues and a lack of active engagement in its revitalization efforts.
Turner expressed disappointment in DKR's leadership, saying, "After attending several meetings, I’ve yet to be convinced that DKR has the vision, mission, and leadership needed to make a real difference in revitalizing downtown." This sentiment was echoed by Godfrey, who observed that "DKR is not living up to its full potential as a revitalization engine for our city." These statements reflected frustration among board members about the organization's trajectory.
DKR’s Executive Director, Leon Steele, whose position is funded by the city, countered these criticisms with a stark warning against complacency, especially in non-profit organizations. He highlighted the responsibility of the board in ensuring the financial and managerial well-being of the organization.
"When bad board members actively discourage and drive off or forcibly remove, caring, active, committed board members and other volunteers, the organization is doomed," Steele said in a previous conversation with Neuse News.
Steele also pointed to the financial troubles faced by DKR, partly due to the board’s failure to effectively manage assets and engage in fundraising. He noted that the organization had been dependent on Municipal Service District (MSD) property tax to offset expenses.
The internal struggles of DKR are further complicated by its relationship with Kinston City Hall. The city, which partly funds DKR through a downtown MSD property tax and other appropriations, attended the October DKR meeting. Prior to the meeting, the city sent a letter to the DKR board addressing concerns it has about the organization including Board Governance, fundraising and financial accountability, and community results and impact.
“We would like to recommend that you work to stabilize the organization by maintaining its current board membership and encourage existing members to work collaboratively to resolve the challenges at hand,” the city said in the letter.
In defiance of the city, the DKR board, including the six board members who have since resigned, voted to add new members. One of which, Hengst, was added to the board for the second time. Hengst had previously been on the board a short time and held the position as Vice Chair. He resigned two months later. In late September, Hengst started a non-profit titled Kinston Strong that was not disclosed in the meeting where he was voted back on the board.
“The new organization once fully established would like to get some press out there on what we’re trying to do and why we think that we are better suited to do it,” said Hengst in a conversation with Neuse News when he shared his latest resignation letter.
As of now there are five remaining board members including Mike Chastain, Cathy Reese, Dan Owens, and Jeremy Whitfield in an organization that should have between 11 and 13 members.
“At this time the City is prepared to support the remaining Board members and staff to keep the organization's revitalization efforts moving forward,” said Kinston’s City Manager Rhonda Barwick. “Our Finance Director will assist the Board as needed until the Treasurer's position can be filled.“
The City of Kinston, which is the largest stakeholder in the organization financially, remains committed to DKR’s revitalization efforts.
“City staff and the City Council remain dedicated to the economic vitality of our downtown and will be exploring ways to support these efforts going forward,” said Barwick.
*Article updated to reflect Susan Colomaio’s resignation.
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