F.M. Partners' policy questioned: Resident says hiring, firing practice puts Main Street group in jeopardy.

Jul 7, 2010 — The Hawk Eye

Nicholas Bergin

Jul. 7, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- FORT MADISON -- Chiropractor and businessman Tim Wondra on Tuesday accused Fort Madison Partners of "jeopardizing" Fort Madison Main Street's relationship with Main Street Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Wondra, whose office is in downtown Fort Madison, said he learned of the strained relations between the local and state groups during a recent conversation with Thom Guzman, director of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center.

Main Street's mission is to improve social and economic well-being of the community by capitalizing on its unique identity, assets and character.

Although Fort Madison was one of the first communities to join the state Main Street program in the mid-1980s, the city dropped out due to lack of local funds.

Local volunteers worked to get recertified, and last year the Iowa Department of Economic Development announced it would welcome Fort Madison back into the Main Street fold.

Soon after, Main Street joined with four other local economic development organizations to form Fort Madison Partners. As part of the agreement forming the new umbrella group, Partners' executive director was given power to hire and fire employees of all member groups to streamline operations, said Nora Dukowitz, executive director of Partners.

Last month, Partners announced Main Street Director Mindy Kraus, who was hired before the formation of Partners, planned to resign, and Dukowitz would be in charge of finding a replacement.

Wondra said IDED does not approve of Dukowitz making the hiring decision instead of the local Main Street board.

"They (Partners) were told they're jeopardizing Main Street by doing that, and they did it anyway. Main Street is supposed to be separate from Partners," Wondra said. "There is a very good chance we could lose Main Street now."

Dukowitz refuted Wondra's accusation, saying that while state officials did have concerns, relations remain positive.

She added IDED has never mentioned to her the possibility of Main Street being penalized for Partners' hiring procedure.

Dukowitz and members of the Main Street board had a meeting with IDED officials late last month to take a closer look at the local organization.

"With Main Street being a new program, we have had some challenges, had some success, made some mistakes and it was time for them (IDED officials) to come down and talk with us about that," Dukowitz said.

Dukowitz said during the meeting, IDED officials voiced concerns and questioned the hiring arrangement.

"They just need to get their arms around it and understand who is doing what and whose responsibility is whose," Dukowitz said.

Dukowitz said IDED would present Fort Madison Main Street with a list of recommendations based on the meeting within the next couple weeks.

Meanwhile, Dukowitz has tentatively chosen the new Main Street director. But before the person officially signs on, she will meet with the Main Street board July 23.

Newstex ID: KRTB-1064-46770253