KINGSTON >> A representative of the Junior League of Kingston is criticizing mayoral hopeful Steve Noble’s oversight of grants expected to help pay for the Kinderland II playground project.
Beth Hanigan, the Junior League’s president-elect and the Kinderland II project manager, says neither Noble nor Kevin Gilfeather, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, informed the organization about how to administer grant money.
Noble is an environmental educator for the city as well as grants writer for the recreation department.
Noble said he believes the criticism is being orchestrated by Mayor Shayne Gallo, who is being challenged by Noble for the Democratic nomination for mayor.
“It is just another example of the mayor making an attack against my character, Kevin’s character, and [the recreation department] for all the good work that we do,” Noble said.
Hanigan’s, though, in a letter to Gallo, disputed the claim of good work.
“In December 2014, the Junior League of Kingston was advised that the grant had been awarded and that expenditures made by the Junior League of Kingston would be reimbursed out of grant funds,” Hanigan wrote. “Although we requested further updates and information several times over the succeeding months, we were never advised by Mr. Noble or Mr. Gilfeather of any further requirements.
” Nor were we provided any documents or guidance regarding the expenditures that we were making to bring the playground project to fruition,” Hanigan added.
Hanigan said the Junior League has learned a lesson.
“Looking back on the last few months, I realize that the lack of progress with respect to the grant was due, in large measure, it seems, to Steve Noble’s inattention to the details of obtaining and administering the grant,” Hanigan said.
Noble said he and Gilfeather had several meetings with Hanigan and other representatives of the Junior League to explain the grant process.
He said $79,000 of the December grant was to be used for Kinderland II, which was built recently in Forsyth Park on Lucas Avenue. He said he was not aware the Junior League was making purchases.
He said if expenditures were made, the money should have come from fund-raising dollars the Junior League had in its account.
Noble said the state money is not in jeopardy and that a contract is ready to be finalized. It often takes many months for such contracts to be finalized after a grant is awarded, he said.
“This money has not just disappeared,” Noble said.
Gallo wrote back to the Junior League that the grant money would be supplied to the group.
“Needless to say, I am chagrined that the great effort expended by your organization was not matched by the people responsible for obtaining and administrating the grant,” Gallo wrote. “However, as I have said, their failure to provide timely and accurate information to the league and to act expeditiously with respect to obtaining a grant contract will not inure to the detriment of the league nor tarnish or diminish your extraordinary accomplishment.”
Both Hanigan’s and Gallo’s letters are dated May 5.
“It is amazing how fast the mail moves in Kingston,” Noble said.
In a telephone interview, Gallo said Noble is playing politics at the expense of the city and the Junior League and that Noble’s lack of grant oversight could cost the city “potentially” thousands of dollars.
“It is all a matter of his inaction and his incompetence,” the mayor said.
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