No decision has been made yet as to whether the Right Path for Washington County will take an offer that have them benefit financially from instant bingo tickets.
The board of directors of the Right Path for Washington County met this week to discuss whether to act as the county's lead agency in a new funding opportunity that would come from a portion of the profits made by selling instant bingo tickets, or pull tabs.
Because the Right Path works to promote healthy youth development, board members kept that mission in mind during the meeting.
"Board members asked 'Is this something that we could make work for us and not stray from our mission?'" said Right Path Coordinator Cathy Harper, who attended Wednesday's meeting.
Members also wanted to know if, as lead agency, the Right Path could choose which Washington County retail businesses to work with as partners. They were told they could make that choice.
"It was a good fact-finding meeting," Harper said.
In the end, Right Path board members decided to postpone a decision.
The board will "reconvene" in cyberspace Wednesday, to conduct an email poll of board members. This will be an effort to make a final decision about serving as Washington County's lead agency.
The board's decision will be made by majority vote.
"The decision could be tabled, if there's still a lot of questions or concerns," said Harper.
In the meantime, Right Path board members will conduct research on the Ohio Children's Foundation, the group that would help the Right Path through the licensing process should it become lead agency.
"They're the ones that presented the opportunity to us through the Family & Children First Council," noted Harper.
During the board meeting, Russell Miller, Ohio Children's Foundation treasurer, was asked several questions about salary and bonuses paid to those on the foundation's payroll.
Bill Wotring, board member and principal of New Matamoras Elementary School in New Matamoras, said Miller told the board that the foundation has four employees, each paid about $70,000 in yearly salary.
Miller reported that employees were paid no additional percentages or out-of-the-ordinary expenses, other than normal travel expenses.
"Some organizations rely heavily upon donations and volunteer work from lots of people," said Wotring. "Then you find out the national director is paid a salary plus percentages which add up to an annual income in the millions of dollars."
"I was not trying to incriminate (Miller) at all, just get information," added Wotring.
In his research since Wednesday's board meeting, Wotring said he has found nothing about the Ohio Children's Foundation that indicates any particular problem.
Wotring said he now has enough information to render his decision at next Wednesday's "cyber" board vote.
During the board meeting, board members also approved a second annual fish-fry fundraiser this fall. No date has been set for this new fundraiser.
