In the course of our investigation, we sought direct input from Marion City Council members and other key stakeholders, aiming to capture a comprehensive spectrum of perspectives on Marion CAN DO!’s operations and funding. The insights provided by City Councilors Thaddaeus Smith and Aaron Rollins offer crucial context to the organization’s recent leadership transition and ongoing financial scrutiny.

Councilor Thaddaeus Smith shared his perspective on the council’s decision-making process regarding Marion CAN DO!’s funding:
“So my official on the record response, when the city council, when the new city council, when this came about, it was a discussion that seemed everybody was lobbying for it, there are a few members on the community where it’s against it, a few really seemed like it was a personal vendetta against Gus as a person so I wasn’t interested in allowing that to sway how I voted (at least the first time around) It appears to me the city had for several years been a consistent donar [donor] to can do, just not Gus was at the time was and is pretty good with his words and what he does so I supported it. Here’s more the second time around, they got him as much contention as supporting it as it did the first time, so instead of people not reading, what a lot of good people in the community are saying that they’re not looking at their finances like they do agree that a 501C nonprofit organization that spends 80% of their budget on payroll is a huge waste, and doesn’t lead to economic growth that benefits the community in the long run so we’ll probably longer so we will not be getting what we’re looking for, we haven’t in some time, fortunately now the Mr Collins said what he said now that we plan to look at different options for economic development in our community. Also, it makes sense to me to consider that money on can do was overwhelming, his charter written and on the books will get quite a bit of money from both the county city and the county also multiple private to can do combined, so at this point like can do would be promoting wasteful spending?”

Councilor Aaron Rollins provided a structured set of observations concerning Marion CAN DO!’s historical performance and future direction:
“1. Can-Do served an important function at the time it was founded.
2. Can-Do had no path to self sufficiency and frankly requested negative budgets almost annually.
4. I believe Can-Do knew well in advance about the expiring leases and failed to disclose that knowing it would jeopardize funding.
5. I fully support economic development in the community but think we need to reevaluate what that looks like.
6. There should be a path to self sufficiency or it needs to be brought into city/county government.”

These comments from Councilors Smith and Rollins underscore key themes of financial sustainability, transparency, and the perceived effectiveness of Marion CAN DO!’s operational model from the perspective of city leadership.

Regarding further official commentary, Marion Watch also reached out to Robert Landon. Mr. Landon advised that his detailed comments would be provided in Part II of this series, which will focus exclusively on the financial aspects of Marion CAN DO!.