Trustee accuses colleague of missing youth-baseball funds as park-district dispute intensifies

A heated policy dispute over the newly formed University Park park district intensified on May 27 when Trustee Sonia Jenkins Bell publicly demanded documentation for $56,000 she said had been raised for youth baseball and later transferred under the control of Trustee Fulture.

In a prepared statement read to the board, Jenkins Bell said the University Park Baseball Organization raised $56,000 and that village and township grants contributed to that fund. She said those funds were later moved to a separate account "under your control, Miss Fulture," and demanded to know where the money is and how it was expended.

"Where's the $56,000? Where did it go? Where did it go? And where is our money?" Jenkins Bell asked, adding she would place an item on the next agenda requiring Trustee Fulture to provide a full accounting and documentation of all remaining funds associated with the youth baseball organization.

Jenkins Bell also framed the demand in the context of a broader policy disagreement: she defended the park district referendum (which she said passed with 56% of the vote) and criticized what she called efforts by some trustees to "undermine" the voters' decision, including litigation challenging the district.

Speakers in public comment and trustees disputed both the tactics and the costs of litigation. Former trustee Keith Griffin and others said the park district vote should be respected. Trustees Thompson and Brooks argued for following statutory process and said orderly procedure matters. At the meeting Jenkins Bell said she would bring a formal agenda item to force a public accounting.

The allegation that funds were improperly handled was made on the record by Jenkins Bell; board members did not present documentary proof during the meeting. Jenkins Bell said she has bank statements and records and intends to require a public accounting at a future meeting. Trustee Fulture did not provide a full accounting during the session on May 27; Jenkins Bell characterized the matter as accountability for taxpayer and donor funds and said the next agenda will require documentation.