Maxine Cheek [11/10/2006]

To the editor:I would like to respond to Anita Burroughs' letter of Oct. 30. I was more amazed by your letter than Louisa Dell'Amico's letter. I do agree that boycotting the CAHS board president's business, based on the board's decision, is not right. There are many board members, and people can go to the shelter's Web site at www.conwayshelter.org to learn about them and make the decision to support or boycott their own. However, I think you have used the same tactics to promote Mrs. Webster's business as Ms. Dell'Amico used to push a boycott. A little contradictive to me.I must say, it appears that for someone with no inside information on the goings-on behind closed doors, you have made a very broad assumption that Roz Manwaring was let go (didn't resign or agree on this decision) but the board did it for whatever reasons they deemed necessary. I wonder if the law you spoke of that protects nonprofits from talking to "protect employees" was a gift handed to the board to hide behind, not to protect Roz, but to protect themselves from having to explain their decision.I would like to go on to say that my idea of a hero and yours are very different. I believe a hero steps in when needed and goes above and beyond to help and save, with no thought of their own needs. I am glad Lisa Webster is stepping in at the shelter, but in no way do I consider her a hero by doing what she agreed to do when she became board president.I feel the community does deserve an explanation of some type, as I do not believe Roz Manwaring needs to be protected from what she created. To think Roz can be replaced is absurd, in my opinion! I'm sure you will find someone to fill the position, but you will never be able to replace the heart of your organization.I would also like to take this time to say a huge thank you to all the businesses, friends, family and people who helped me in the past to support the shelter and raise over $30,000. I will miss the animals there, but I am confident I, too, can be replaced. (Until such time a reasonable explanation is given.) I am thinking of the animals in my decision, as I think the person who cared and did the most for them was removed without any thought of the animal-human bond. The shelter would not be the wonderful place it is if not for its founder (Roz Manwaring) and her vision and drive, yet the board disposed of its own creator with no explanation. Not the type of compassion I personally want to support. I wish the shelter and its board the best in whatever the future may hold for them.