CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kanawha Parks Director Jeff Hutchinson is gently asking members of the county parks board to consider stepping aside if they can't make it to the parks board's regular meetings.

Hutchinson says it's hard to conduct park business because the county parks board is constantly having trouble obtaining and keeping a quorum.

The 11-member parks board requires six members to form a quorum and legally vote on park business.

"It's very difficult," Hutchinson said. "A lot of things had to be put off. Finally, we had to start allowing phone quorums ... to conduct the business of the park."

However, with distractions, background noise and bad connections, remote voting by phone isn't a very good way to conduct matters, he said.

"Even if you fax them the agenda, it's hard," Hutchinson said. "It's doable, but you have to give it your full, undivided attention."

Until Wednesday's controversial meeting about Coonskin's new driving range, the parks board had not had a full six-member quorum sitting down together in the parks board meeting room since October 2007, Hutchinson said. Every meeting since had had at least one member voting by telephone.

The ongoing game of board member musical chairs has caused at least one meeting to break down completely. In January, board members were unable to vote on a controversial woodworking clubhouse request because they couldn't keep a quorum.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Kanawha Parks Director Jeff Hutchinson is gently asking members of the county parks board to consider stepping aside if they can't make it to the parks board's regular meetings.

Hutchinson says it's hard to conduct park business because the county parks board is constantly having trouble obtaining and keeping a quorum.

The 11-member parks board requires six members to form a quorum and legally vote on park business.

"It's very difficult," Hutchinson said. "A lot of things had to be put off. Finally, we had to start allowing phone quorums ... to conduct the business of the park."

However, with distractions, background noise and bad connections, remote voting by phone isn't a very good way to conduct matters, he said.

"Even if you fax them the agenda, it's hard," Hutchinson said. "It's doable, but you have to give it your full, undivided attention."

Until Wednesday's controversial meeting about Coonskin's new driving range, the parks board had not had a full six-member quorum sitting down together in the parks board meeting room since October 2007, Hutchinson said. Every meeting since had had at least one member voting by telephone.

The ongoing game of board member musical chairs has caused at least one meeting to break down completely. In January, board members were unable to vote on a controversial woodworking clubhouse request because they couldn't keep a quorum.

Only four members showed up for the meeting, so Hutchinson called two more on the telephone. One of those had to go in the middle of the meeting, so Hutchinson called another board member.

By that time, though, one of the members present in the meeting room had to leave for an emergency. The board never did vote on the clubhouse.

"The quorum fell apart and the meeting was adjourned," Hutchinson said.

This week, Hutchinson sent a letter to all parks board members thanking and praising them for their service, but, at the same time, he subtly asked members to consider stepping down if they can't regularly attend meetings.

"I know it is not always easy to attend our meetings," the letter says. "I also know that you have the best interests of Kanawha County Parks at heart.

"That is why I am asking you to respond to this letter to assure us of your ability to attend parks commission meetings on a regular basis. Or if, for reasons of health or scheduling conflict, you cannot attend on a monthly basis, to permit us to fill your position with someone able to attend all our meetings so that we may have a quorum at each meeting to conduct required business."

Hutchinson said Friday that some members of the parks board have served faithfully for more than 20 years. While he appreciates the dedication, he said, "Maybe it's time to relinquish your seat and let someone who has more time get involved."

Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 348-1215.