Board resigns
Action means GRO-Warren will shut down
October 29, 2011
By ERIC TICHY
etichy@timesobserver.com
Citing "several reasons," including an inability to make progress, GRO-Warren's board of directors voted to resign on Thursday, essentially dissolving the fledgling organization under Warren Main Street.
On Friday, GRO-Warren Board Vice President Harvey Stone announced the resignation of the board, acknowledging financial hardships in keeping the non-profit group afloat.
"After discussion of the GRO-Warren entity's current situation and inability to continue to make progress, the board voted to resign," Stone said in a release.
When reached by phone, Stone declined to comment further on reasons for the dissolution of the organization, but said with no current board of directors, "GRO-Warren no longer exists."
"This leaves GRO-Warren without a board of directors, therefore unable to conduct business. The board voted to authorize the secretary and treasurer to file final paperwork and close out the entity's account with six months," Stone said.
In April, after taxes are paid, Stone said all of GRO-Warren's accounts will be closed.
Stone, however, pointed out a few bright spots for the organization, which was formed over three years ago to support Warren Main Street, which was having financial problems of its own.
"GRO-Warren accomplished much during its short existence," he said. "It sponsored the Allegheny (Center) for the Arts, hosted a number of art shows in its office, assisted in the opening of various downtown businesses as well as providing its executive director to the city to help complete the downtown streetscape project."
In July, former GRO-Warren Executive Director Chris Cheronis resigned as board leader, citing a lack of pay in the cash-strapped organization.
"I have worked for as long as I can without compensation over the last three months due to the lack of funds in the organization," Cheronis said in July.
Her resignation came two months after Warren City Council approved a $243,000 payment to GRO-Warren. Portions of that amount, in the area of $162,000, was used to pay back money spent by GRO-Warren on behalf of the city.
The balance of the city's payment was earmarked for keeping the organization solvent for at least three months, or until further funding could be secured. Stone would not comment if the dissolution was a result of failed attempts to find support.
In May, renovations for the home of the ACA fell through in the wake of funding setbacks. The company hired to renovate the Liberty Street building filed a mechanic's lien on the property in May when payments were about $527,000 in arrears.
etichy@timesobserver.com
Citing "several reasons," including an inability to make progress, GRO-Warren's board of directors voted to resign on Thursday, essentially dissolving the fledgling organization under Warren Main Street.
On Friday, GRO-Warren Board Vice President Harvey Stone announced the resignation of the board, acknowledging financial hardships in keeping the non-profit group afloat.
"After discussion of the GRO-Warren entity's current situation and inability to continue to make progress, the board voted to resign," Stone said in a release.
When reached by phone, Stone declined to comment further on reasons for the dissolution of the organization, but said with no current board of directors, "GRO-Warren no longer exists."
"This leaves GRO-Warren without a board of directors, therefore unable to conduct business. The board voted to authorize the secretary and treasurer to file final paperwork and close out the entity's account with six months," Stone said.
In April, after taxes are paid, Stone said all of GRO-Warren's accounts will be closed.
Stone, however, pointed out a few bright spots for the organization, which was formed over three years ago to support Warren Main Street, which was having financial problems of its own.
"GRO-Warren accomplished much during its short existence," he said. "It sponsored the Allegheny (Center) for the Arts, hosted a number of art shows in its office, assisted in the opening of various downtown businesses as well as providing its executive director to the city to help complete the downtown streetscape project."
In July, former GRO-Warren Executive Director Chris Cheronis resigned as board leader, citing a lack of pay in the cash-strapped organization.
"I have worked for as long as I can without compensation over the last three months due to the lack of funds in the organization," Cheronis said in July.
Her resignation came two months after Warren City Council approved a $243,000 payment to GRO-Warren. Portions of that amount, in the area of $162,000, was used to pay back money spent by GRO-Warren on behalf of the city.
The balance of the city's payment was earmarked for keeping the organization solvent for at least three months, or until further funding could be secured. Stone would not comment if the dissolution was a result of failed attempts to find support.
In May, renovations for the home of the ACA fell through in the wake of funding setbacks. The company hired to renovate the Liberty Street building filed a mechanic's lien on the property in May when payments were about $527,000 in arrears.
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