[10/02/02]A patron of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation says she is unhappy about the firing of the non-profit organization’s program director, but the board said money not the director’s performance was the issue.

Warren County resident Valeria Johnson, who attended the former St. Francis Xavier Elementary, said Stacie Botsay, who was program director at the center for about a year, was a great asset and will be missed.

“I often would get a sense of happiness when I heard the children laughing and playing in the school and thinking this is why the Sisters of Mercy opened St. Francis,” Johnson said.

Glenda LaGarde, board member and acting director at the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, said the center’s board of directors voted in July to eliminate the position of program director in order to focus more on fund raising. She said programing at the center will be taken over by volunteers and members of the board of directors.

“It’s always difficult to make that kind of decision,” said Betty Jackson, president to the foundation’s board. “But they have to be made.”

Lisa Nosser, formerly with the Vicksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau for six years as the director of sales and marketing, was hired as assistant director. Her main duties will be raising funds for the center through donations, grants and other sources.

The foundation is housed in the building that had housed St. Francis Xavier Academy for decades. The complex of five historic buildings at Clay, Cherry, Adams and Crawford streets was bought by the City of Vicksburg in 1994.

“We have limited funds,” LaGarde said. “It basically depends on what we get from the members and grants.”

Last year, the city board voted to deed the property to the foundation, severing government ties to the center.

Throughout the year, the SCHF hosts several events such as the monthly meetings of the Southern Book Club, the Southern Film nights and the Humanities Lecture Series.

This year the foundation also held after-school programs, children’s summer activities, special art classes and adult workshops, classes and lectures through a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission.

“We have to be real specific about the funds we spend,” LaGarde said. “We have to keep the programs going and we have to maintain the buildings.”

The foundation has two full-time employees. In addition to Nosser, the other full-time employee is Beth Brown, office secretary.

Since its creation nine years ago, the SCHF has had two directors, and Botsay was the second program coordinator.

“It’s got nothing to do with dissatisfaction with Stacie,” LaGarde said.

Botsay, who came to the foundation in February 2001, was given one month’s notice and a month’s severance pay, LaGarde said.

She ended her employment with the foundation at the end of August.

“I’m not angry,” Botsay said, adding she understands that with the present economic situation, both with the center and the general economy, more of an emphasis had to be placed on funding.

“I’m looking for a new job right now in Jackson, if I can’t find anything there, I will move back to Louisiana,” Botsay said.