A BACKSIDED RESOLUTION...BUT A RESOLUTION, REGARDLESS

Last month, I mentioned the case of Bartow resident Dave Hallock, who was appointed by the Bartow City Commission as it's representative on the Board of Directors of the Polk County Opportunity Council. PCOC is the area's primary Community Action Agency, which provides assistance to low income families and also manages the federal Head Start program locally.

The PCOC administration balked at accepting Mr. Hallock, an insurance agent and community activist, without first requesting his resume. Mr. Hallock refused to do so, and had the backing of the City Commission, who took the position that he is their official representative and the PCOC admistration has no right to question their selection.

Everyone will end up getting what they want: Bartow Mayor Leo Longworth says he will provide a copy of Hallock's background only as a courtesy, PCOC will not place any hurdles to Mr. Hallock's taking his place at the table, and Mr. Hallock will be seated and will begin to ask questions. He has a background in working with childhood education groups and United Way, and wants to look closely at how the Head Start funds are being spent. Head Start is PCOC's largest program by far.

The first thought was that the PCOC administration did not want someone ready to ask a lot or hard questions. The agency has a history of controversy, and has had some of it's people --- including a former Executive Director --- convicted of theft-related charges. This whole episode was a negative for an agency that should be embracing more openness and ready to answer those tough questions. Now we'll see just how ready they are, or if it may be ready to consider shutting it down and choosing a new provider for services that the poor of Polk County need.