Chamber Reviewing Rice’s Standing

RICE FIRED LAST WEEK BY WASTE DISTRICT

PRAIRIE GROVE — Maylon Rice, president of the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce, has asked the chamber board to give him guidance on whether to continue serving as chamber president.

On Aug., 13, Rice — who also worked as director of the Boston Mountain Solid Waste District — was fired after allegations surfaced regarding grant money and other management complaints.

Rice was placed on administrative leave in August pending an internal investigation conducted by Dan Short, chief of staff for Washington County Judge Marilyn Edwards.

The solid waste district board met in executive session for about two hours on Aug. 13 and then reconvened in public and unanimously approved a motion to fire Rice. The board appointed assistant district director Ralph Prince as interim director. Board member Rhonda Hulse, chair of the district Personnel Committee, will provide oversight to district employees.

Boston Mountain, one of 18 solid waste districts in the state, serves

Washington and Madison counties. The district is located on 40 acres near U.S. 62 west of Prairie Grove.

On Monday, Rice said he would like to complete his term as chamber president for the next four months, but said he realizes that he no longer works in Prairie Grove.

“I’ve asked the chamber board to meet without me and give me some direction,” Rice said.

Rice, who is finishing his second full year as chamber president, said he has enjoyed the experience.

“Prairie Grove is a nice, growing, thriving community with a lot of good people,” Rice said. “I’m proud to be associated with the chamber of commerce.”

Two chamber board members, on Monday, indicated they believe Rice has done a good job as chamber president.

“He was good enough that we asked him if he would do it again,” said chamber board member Larry Oelrich.

Oelrich represented Mayor Sonny Hudson last week during the executive session to discuss Rice’s job performance for the Boston Mountain Solid Waste District.

Oelrich voted with the rest of the board to fire Rice, but on Monday Oelrich pointed out he did not think the board action should reflect on Rice’s ability to continue serving as chamber president.

“I don’t think there’s any criteria for who can serve on the chamber,” Oelrich said. “I don’t think it matters. Obviously, he does not represent any local entities but I think it’s up to him if he wants to continue.”

Paula Ditmars, vice president of the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce, said she talked to Rice on Monday and that she planned to email the other board members about scheduling a meeting.

“I think he did an excellent job,” Ditmars said. “He brought in a lot of new ideas. He’s had some excellent speakers and has been enthusiastic about it. I can’t think of anything bad to say about him.”

Other chamber board members are Sandy Keeney, Buddy Lyle and Natalie Bartholomew.

Rice declined to comment on the action by the solid waste district board. Some of the allegations against him included improper expenditure of grant funds, accounting procedures relating to the cash box and management complaints dealing with different programs administered by the district.

George Butler, county attorney, said the solid waste district board has requested an Arkansas Attorney General’s opinion on whether to release the internal investigation under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Rice had been with Boston Mountain since August 2009. His past work experience includes 25 years as a newspaper journalist and working for a funeral home and J.B. Hunt.