Cooper Hill board member opposes county-proposed amendment, warns recreation facilities could close

At the start of the meeting during public comment, Jane Harrelson, a Cooper Hill board member, said she would not sign a proposed amendment that county commissioners gave the Cooper Hill board on May 28.

"I will not vote to sign the proposed amendment that the commissioners gave to the board on May 28," Harrelson said. She said the amendment's aim to require a board "reflective of local demographics" conflicts with Cooper Hill's nondiscrimination policies and is unrealistic to achieve quickly.

Harrelson said she has served on the Cooper Hill board since 2013 and described the board-selection process she uses, noting she evaluates candidates' industry experience and fiduciary skills. She said while the board is primarily composed of older white members, changing that composition would take time.

She also told commissioners that Cooper Hill has been unable to complete sanitation upgrades because of permitting delays and that several long-closed facilities have not reopened. "If those lifts up the front side fail, Cooper will shut down. And I don't think it's going to reopen," Harrelson warned, referencing aging infrastructure, a convention center closed for more than nine years and a pool closed for more than four years.

Harrelson thanked Commissioner Lee for attending community and Forest Service meetings and said the commissioner served as an important transparency mechanism between the public and county government.

Commissioners responded briefly. One commissioner said the diversity discussion was not intended to refer to skin color but to broaden representation (for example, by including someone from the college). Commissioners agreed that calm, clear communication and open dialogue were needed.

Harrelson said she had contacted the Cooper Hill board and offered to answer questions and provide her contact information to commissioners.