Turner cites ‘lack of collaboration’ in park board resignation

Katie Turner resigned her position as a Creston Parks and Recreation board member Wednesday morning, citing an inability in the board to communicate and collaborate.

In an email sharing her resignation, Turner said there were a number of lackings in the board that led to this decision.

“The lack of just saying, ‘Yes, let’s win together. Instead we would rather put our heels in the ground and prohibit positive growth, improvements,’” Turner wrote. “The lack of and refusal to provide or communicate Park & Rec fundraising cash receipts, the lack of checks and balances and financial accountability during both Comedy Night and Party in the Park. The lack of ability to add agenda items, review previous meeting minutes prior to meetings and the constant efforts to sideline myself and city council rep Kiki Scarberry.”

This is not the first time Turner has shared her opinions via email regarding the park board. In April, she requested a change of board meetings to Wednesday night.

In the last two years, the board meetings have changed from the second Tuesday of each month to the second Wednesday of each month, and now is held the third Tuesday of each month. The current meeting time conflicts with Creston City Council meetings and Turner’s schedule.

“The latest meeting date and time selection is not just inconvenient—it’s transparent in its intention. A board member, myself, who clearly communicated their conflict was ignored, and the date also excludes a council member, Kiki Scarberry, both who have a vested interest and dedication to this board,” Turner wrote in April. “This doesn’t feel like a scheduling oversight. It feels like a calculated move to sideline dissent and shape discussions without challenge.”

Other park board members say the change of time was to allow committee members to attend meetings.

“The big thing is that our committee members, and being on the other side of that too, being on both sides, without committee members, we don’t have the stuff that we do,” board member Todd Kinkade said. “[Tara Kinkade] has been here and I’ve been here for over 15 years. Committee members have raised thousands and thousands of dollars for the park and everything. We’ve always been that way, it’s always been that way. Nobody’s better than anybody else.”

While Turner was elected to the board in 2023, the city council has since changed the format of the board, with board members now being appointed by the city. A new park board member will likely be discussed at the next city council meeting at 6 p.m. on June 16.