Sheltered workshop worries that contracts will slow down this summer
Temple Foundation awards $24,000 for new van
BY MARIE WHITEHEAD

Cherokee County Mental Retardation Association directors met March 14 at the sheltered workshop where positive reports for preceding months were presented.

Bill Reyes, program manager for service to the facility's largest consumer work group, Wilsonart Laminate Production, presented the year's work to date and expectations for the future.

"This project began in 1990. The '06-07 year was our best to date with them," he explained. "This contracts helps to employ 78 consumers."

It was noted that services at the Rusk workshop closed in '06. "All of our workshop service for Wilsonart is now performed here," Reyes said.

In his report, Executive Director Elton McCune reported, "I fear that the Wilsonart contract will slow by mid-summer to a pace we have not experienced since the recession following the 9-11 event. We have been fortunate so far to still have an abundance of work for the consumers and staff and income for this fiscal year has been good. However, with the housing market in decline, we have received word that the much anticipated summer launch of the Solid Surfacing Products has been indefinitely delayed and we believe that laminate production will slow considerably."

The director also reported on the HCS program. "This continues to grow. We have 24 persons enrolled and the deaf/blind program has four persons. Of these 13 are in our residential homes and 15 persons receive in home support services."

services." Director McCune also announced, "The Temple Foundation has awarded us a grant in the amount of $24,000 to replace the van we share with HOPE." After conferring with HOPE's director Fran Daniel, they agreed that their needs could be best served through the purchase of a smaller van than they now have.

Finances were reviewed by Jeanie Means. At the suggestion of board member DeWald Lake, a current year to budget comparison was included, as well as a last year to current year financial comparison.

Other business included approval of minutes from the previous meeting.

Present were Jim Cromwell, board president; also Billy Watson, Frank Waggoner, Bobby Coates, Marie Whitehead, Sammie Attaway, Jo Lee, Mary Germany; also staff members McCune, Reyes, Means, Andrea Grimes, Martha Garner, Jon Tyler and Peggy Munsinger.