DALLAS — The chairman of the board of the nonprofit that manages Dallas' Fair Park blamed "ulterior agendas" of others as he resigned from his role overseeing the organization, which has faced recent leadership turmoil.
Darren James, who has served as chair since joining Fair Park First in 2018, said his vision for the park no longer aligned with those around him.
"I no longer want to fight this 360-degree fight," he told fellow board members Tuesday night. "The complexity of this relationship means forever navigating and negotiating competing interests and egos jockeying for attribution. All while those creating roadblocks, re-directions and impediments avoid accountability both publicly and privately."
In a statement late Tuesday night, Fair Park First announced former City Councilmember Veletta Forsythe Lill would take over as chair of the board.
“Fair Park First and the board are unwavering in our mission to restore, revitalize and renew the historic treasure of Fair Park," Lill said in the written statement. "We are laser-focused on ensuring that Fair Park redevelopment plans are a success."
James' departure, and that of the board's finance chair Keba Batie, come at a fragile time for the organization which manages the so-called "crown jewel" of South Dallas under a contract with the city.
James announced his resignation shortly after the board voted to reinstate Fair Park First CEO Brian Luallen, following a 45-day suspension to "evaluate his performance." Upon reinstatement, the board instead voted to complete an evaluation of Luallen's performance by mid-September.
About a month before his suspension, Luallen had raised concerns that OVG360, a subcontractor Fair Park First uses to manage the day-to-day maintenance, misappropriated funds.
He issued a statement alleging Oak View Group may have "inaccurately, and we hope inadvertently, allocated and utilized restricted funds raised by Fair Park First for daily park operations."
Oak View Group denied the allegations.
"We are confident – and have documentation to support – that all uses of donated funds were with the full knowledge and approval of Mr. Luallen, acting on behalf of Fair Park First,” Oak View Group’s letter at the time said.
Neither group -- nor the city -- provided information about how much money may have been misappropriated. Both Fair Park First and the city of Dallas announced they were conducting a forensic audit -- the results of which have not yet been released.
At his final Fair Park First board meeting, James warned of a "rocky" immediate future for the organization.
"In some times it becomes necessary to make a statement and do what you believe is right," he said. "Because those around you must share similar vision, passion and authenticity without ulterior, contrary or disparate agendas."
"When I saw the divergence, I needed to make the choice that led to me stepping down," he said.
Lill said maintaining relationships with the community and donors during the upcoming transition is critical. "Change can be difficult and messy at times," she said. "But we will be better for it and better equipped to take on this next chapter for the benefit of this national treasure, Fair Park."
Lill served as a city council member from 1997-2005, according to her official biography. She was a founding executive director of the Dallas Arts District and has served on the boards of the Dallas Museum of Art and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
