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Citizens voice displeasure at senior center director’s exit

Citizens voice displeasure at senior center director’s exit
  • PublishedSeptember 8, 2022


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Citizens expressed displeasure at the recent resignation of former senior citizen director Karon Weatherman at the city of Sulphur Springs’ regular September 6 council meeting. 

Weatherman tendered her resignation on August 15 after 21.5 years with the city. 

“I did something the city didn’t like and they said I went against city policy,” Weatherman wrote on social media.

City manager Marc Maxwell declined to comment further on the matter, but appointed former business office manager Kathie Steele as interim manager for the senior center. 

Citizen Bill Auford appeared before the council on September 6 to talk about his volunteer work for the center. 

“Karon [Weatherman] is a very big part of this [senior center], so we have a lot of concern with her resignation– as I understand– under duress,” Auford said. “We want to try and get her back, simple as that.” 

Auford urged the city to reconsider Weatherman’s role, as she is “a jewel” 

Citizen Patsy Crist agreed, stating “we all have a great concern as to what is happening.” 

“Senior citizen lives are the backbone of your community,” Crist said. 

During the city manager’s report, Maxwell previously noted that the city has been awarded a $2.4 million grant from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).

However, Maxwell said, “This does not mean that we can get started on the project yet.” Maxwell noted the city has to finalize paperwork for the grant as well as go through a public comment period.  

Maxwell also noted that “If we spend any money on the senior citizen center before the contract is signed, that money will not be reimbursed by the grant.”

Crist, however, noted that seniors are not happy with the speed of the project or the disbursal of the funds. 

“The senior citizen building has been on your agenda for a long time and it has been ours as well,” Crist said. “it’s meant a lot to us raising every $100… we helped build this.”

Furthermore, Crist said, the resignation of Weatherman was unacceptable and chided the city for “creating a climate where she [Weatherman] was forced away.” 

Crist mentioned programs such as physical activities, games, and the senior citizen prom. She stressed these activities were programs “our beloved Ms. Weatherman created over the years.” 


Crist urged the council to “give her [Weatherman] another chance.” 

Citizen commenters specifically mentioned an alleged event where Weatherman was chastised for private fundraising activities for the center in spring 2021. They also stated they believed Weatherman had not mishandled prize money and gift cards in her possession by not turning them over to the city immediately. 

The council did not take any action on citizen comments.

By Taylor Nye. Chloe Kopal contributed to this article

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Written By
Taylor Nye

Taylor Nye is the editor of Front Porch News. She has degrees from the University of Wisconsin in human biology, Latin American studies, and public health. She has previously worked at the Wisconsin State Journal, Tucson Weekly and Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. As a sixth generation Hopkins County resident, she loves celebrating our heritage and history.