Dear editor,
I was happy to see the board of directors for Monk Botanical Gardens issue a mea culpa of sorts a month ago regarding their disaster of a name change. Unfortunately, acknowledgement and going back to using the Monk name temporarily while they “continue refreshing the garden’s name and logo” is looking increasingly like an interim plan to silence the community. It may wind up being a positive step someday, but to date responses and actions from the board of directors and executive director would indicate no one should hold their breath.
The community has overwhelmingly rejected the removal of the Monk name. The gardens simply would not exist if not for the generous gift and support of the Monk family, and their family name is an inseparable part of the history and legacy of the gardens. The Monk family, the greater community, and even local businesses now support that. The name change and other plans have the full undivided attention of the community now, and if I were a board member, I would not count on that ending any time soon.
Some of the changes seem logical and in line with the original intent and vision Mr. Monk and the original board had in mind, but others such as a beer garden and camping spaces have left the community wondering what exactly they are trying to accomplish? Communication from the garden’s leaders does not really help answer that, but a couple of recent community meetings give us some interesting insight.
Watching Ms. Howard’s recent performance in support of a $10,000 dollar donation request from Weston was both astonishing and entertaining. When asked about the controversy, she attempted to justify it saying people are confused by the name and come to the gardens looking for a monastery. Really? I suppose it was a coincidence when the Monk Gardens Facebook page changed their profile picture to Wausau Gardens, an individual who appears to be associated with the executive director commented saying “I always thought the other name meant there was monks there so confusing good job changing that name.” That comment has since been removed, but it seems to indicate where that notion came from.
She went on to say that a professional survey was done in 2020 where 60 people – “leaders” were surveyed, and all agreed that the Monk name was a problem. Thousands of community members, local businesses, and one municipality (so far) don’t see it that way. I think the community would love to know who those 60 individuals were. If they are actually part of this community, none of them to my knowledge have spoken out in support of, or have acknowledged their involvement. As it became clearer the committee was not on her side, Ms. Howard seemed increasingly agitated until finally the request for $10,000 dollars was unanimously denied. One individual who attended the meeting stated they were “shocked to hear what came out of her mouth directed at the committee” as she exited the meeting.
Yesterday another meeting was held in Rib Mountain asking for another $10,000 donation, this time with board president Paul David attending on “short notice.” Odd that the executive director could not be there to represent the gardens in this case. That meeting was recorded by a member of the Save Robert Monk’s Garden Facebook group and has had 2.1k plays so far. We have to give credit to Mr. David for taking more direct ownership of the name change, but I think the highlight of that meeting was when he and now thousands of others were treated to a public reading of a letter received from ED Darcie Howard to members of the Rib Mountain committee. If anyone is interested, what was read aloud has been transcribed and can be found on the same community-driven Facebook page.
I doubt I was the only community member who was surprised to hear from Ms. Howard that I and thousands of others have been “incited to hostility” by the Monk family, and that I was participating in a “hate campaign.” She also wrote that “our mistake was underestimating their ability to rally people against us.” “Their” in this case referring to the Monk Family, whom Ms. Howard is apparently placing the full blame of her own blunders and mismanagement. From Mr. David’s reaction, it seemed clear that he was not aware that letter had been sent, so I wonder if he and the board agree with and condone the malicious accusations their executive director is making? After all, she does represent each and every one of them.
I do not think there is any question that the renaming and redevelopment of a beloved community treasure into a campground and beer garden is the brainchild of Darcie Howard. The real question now is will the board of directors continue to sit on the sidelines and allow their executive director to continue destroying the gardens on their behalf? At the very least, Ms. Howard sending that email disparaging the Monk family and the community simply cannot go unanswered. As the motto goes “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” and while the board of directors might not answer to the community, they have a moral obligation to address that letter quickly and publicly, whether the executive director sent that letter without their knowledge or not, she represents each and every board member with that disgusting message.
Assuming the board of directors decide to act, I hope they keep in mind that Ms. Howard’s combativeness, lack of professionalism and tone-deafness reflects upon all of them. The executive director has clearly lost the faith and support of the community and seems intent on taking no responsibility for it. It is time for the board of directors to decide if they want to save a beloved community treasure or be forever known as the handful of individuals who stood by while their executive director razed it to the ground.
Darin Bockman of Wausau
Editor’s note: Wausau Pilot & Review gladly publishes commentary from readers, residents and candidates for local offices. The views of readers and columnists are independent of this newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wausau Pilot & Review. To submit, email [email protected] or mail to 500 N. Third St., Suite 208-8, Wausau, Wis. 54403.
