Monterey Faces Backlash For Monterey Hometown Project

The transfer of money from the Monterey Hometown Project to the town of Monterey is causing concern.

The donations and grants for the project are in an account under the Standing Stone Historical Society non-profit umbrella. Standing Stone Historical Society President Rebekah Beeler said the main issue is the legality of the transfer.

“I need to see that the those projects are completed as promised and that the mayor and alderwoman are held accountable and that all of this is legal.”

Beeler said in June, the society requested the city to provide proof that Standing Stone could turnover the funds without consequence. Alderwoman Julie Bohannon said from the beginning, the city was fiscally responsible for the fund.

“Preisdent Rebekah Beeler and they were really reluctant to let that money go even though they have no legal lean to it at all,” Bohannon said. “There is no lean on that money. It belongs to the city.”

The Monterey Hometown Project is a nonprofit effort to beautify the city for the 125th anniversary. Mayor Bill Wiggins said an auditor reviewed the legality of the transfer and gave the okay to move forward.

Alderwoman Julie Bohannon said the idea to transfer the money first came when the society started to vote on how to spend the funds.

“I saw that as a problem and brought it to the mayor,” Bohannon said. “We decided to take that money back over to make sure those stake holders were getting what we promised them.”

Bohannon said the city lawyer told Monterey’s grounds and building committee the transfer was legal but will revisit to get confirmation in writing.