Better than six weeks after its former director was charged with stealing money from the organization, the Emporia Senior Center is in the process of finding stable footing in several ways.
Part of that is a new interim manager, according to board member Karen Hartenbower.
This means Leah Payton, a part-time assistant who had been serving as interim director since last November, will now return to her previous duties. Senior Center attorney Chase Miller says the board is grateful for Payton rising to the occasion and it’s optimistic for Ian Boyd’s enthusiasm and energy.
Besides background checks for all full-time staff, the Senior Center has also transferred the financial reporting duties from the director to the treasurer.
Hartenbower says the Senior Center has received a donation to fix up the shelter house and picnic tables immediately outside the building. The main concern now is the status of two air conditioning units on the east side of the building.
Hartenbower says she is grateful for the community support since it was announced July 20 that Lannie Lyman was formally charged with theft of over $100,000 from the center in 2016 and most of 2017. Lyman’s next court hearing is Oct. 4. Hartenbower says lunch attendance is up and bingo attendance recently has been higher than normal, even though a big jackpot was paid out three weeks ago.
