Kevin McKenna
I'm writing to express my disappointment about the departure of
Barbara Ralph, David Rohletter and Stacey Schumacher from Burbank
Temporary Aid Center.
Barbara Ralph is one of the most courageous people with whom it has
been my privilege to work. Her honesty and integrity have made her a
bright light in the dark and serious situation that has been ongoing at
BTAC. But, unfortunately, her words seem to have fallen on deaf ears. It
should be known to the citizens of Burbank that Ralph was the only board
member who actually knew the internal workings at BTAC. The reason being
she was the only board member who actually worked at the organization as
a weekly volunteer.
Ralph helped keep the board informed of what was happening internally.
The rest of the board, including new President Gary Haubold, seldom set
foot in BTAC's door during the six months I was executive director. The
only board members who come to the facility are the treasurer, who comes
once a week to pay bills, and Ralph, who works at BTAC on a scheduled
basis. When Ralph tried to inform the board of her concerns in the
direction the leadership of BTAC was headed she was ignored.
Is being Patty Reardon's friend the main criterion for being a board
member? If not, someone tell me what is? I know firsthand that when a
prominent Burbank attorney applied for membership, Reardon continually
tabled his nomination until it was never brought up again. This gentleman
was one of the founders of the Boys and Girls Club and responsible for
raising of thousands of dollars for charities in the past. Why didn't
Mrs. Reardon want him on the board? Is it because she wants to control
the board and BTAC herself?
I would also like to know how Haubold can make the statement to the
Leader, "Most of the clients and volunteers support her," ("Aid center
jolted again," Feb. 2). How could he know this when he's never met or
spoken with most of the clients and volunteers? Is he trying to put
something over on the supporters of BTAC? Can he really still believe
that after all the resignations that the volunteers are happy? Is Mr.
Haubold trying to cover up the truth?
In response to Jan Loporchio's letter about Patty Reardon's work in
the Santa's Room ("Patty Reardon has given much to city," Feb. 5-6):
During the Christmas of 1998 while I was director, I received a
distressing call from a woman in tears telling how she would never come
back to BTAC because of the way she was treated in the Santa's Room. She
