Alamo manager sacked

San Antonio Express-News ^ | 02/25/2004 | Amy Dorsett

[SwinneySwitch]

Carter, a DRT member, ran the shrine's $5.2-million budget and 86 employees.

The daughters aren't behaving very sisterly.

Custodian of the Alamo for 99 years, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas is a group of women whose politics can be as contentious as the 1836 battle that led to the fall of the Shrine of Texas Liberty.

Last week, it unceremoniously fired one of its most active and visible volunteers.

Kathleen Carter, the DRT's face at the Alamo since May 2001, was relieved of her position as chairwoman of the Alamo Committee on Friday after a meeting of the group's board of management in Austin.

Carter, who volunteered 40 hours a week at the Alamo, said she was stunned by the decision.

"It's been a very difficult past four months. I had an inkling, but I really didn't believe it would happen," said Carter, 58. "They have not actually identified to me the reason for the removal."

Mary Walker, president general of the organization, declined to comment.

"We did that in executive session, and we don't publish any of that," she said from her home in Crockett. "It had something to do with them not having confidence in her."

The DRT is the oldest women's organization in the state. A fierce group of Texas loyalists, they run the Alamo without the help of tax dollars. Some 92 percent of their operating expenses come from the site's gift shop, which sells various things including academic books on the siege, plastic Bowie knives and ashtrays.

According to its Web site, the DRT has more than 6,400 members in 108 chapters. Eligibility is reserved for "any woman having attained her 16th birthday ... provided she is personally acceptable to the DRT and is a lineal descendant of a man or woman who rendered loyal service to Texas prior to the consummation of the Annexation Agreement of the Republic of Texas with the United States of America on Feb. 19, 1846."

The 26-member board of management oversees several groups, including the Alamo Committee, which runs the Alamo. The chairwoman of that committee manages the shrine, its grounds, its $5.2 million annual budget and 86 employees.

"It's the on-site representative for the DRT at the Alamo, in essence the CEO," Carter said. "It's a big responsibility. That's how we keep our presence at the Alamo."

David Stewart, director of the Alamo, said Carter was a tireless worker.

"She came in from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday," he said. "She was a dedicated volunteer. She's done a lot of positive things while in the position."

Carter, a registered nurse who works in a local neurological intensive care unit on the weekends, said she's proud of her accomplishments, which include:

Running the first fund-raising gala last fall, which cleared more than $100,000 for the Alamo Fund.

Raising $100,000 by selling bricks and pillars to restore a historic building and construct an arbor and amphitheater.

Organizing a benefit concert for the Alamo Fund. Asleep at the Wheel will perform at the March 19 benefit at the Majestic Theatre.

"After Sept. 11 (2001) we had to do a lot of things to make things happen at the Alamo," Carter said. "We've made a lot of tough decisions. We've kept the Alamo solvent and operating in the black."

For her part, Carter said she would remain a member of the DRT.

"They never told me," she said in trying to explain her removal. "I'm sure they're working on a reason."

---------------adorsett@express-news.net

[nuconvert]

LOL!

[Squantos]

$5.2 million annual budget and 86 employees...........???

Damn I can see maybe a half dozen rent'a cops for a 24 hour rotation , a 4 man cleaning and grounds keeper crew, a few tour guides with a Supervisor and Assistant to run the day to day needs with a couple of admin clerks but what the hell do 86 folks do at the Alamo ??? And 5.2 Million a year ????? Amazing numbers ...

Stay safe !

[nuconvert]

LOL!

One of my very favorite movies.

[BenLurkin]

You mean the movie where (alledgedly) the heroic third world leader vanquishes the evil anglo slave owners?

[Hop A Long Cassidy]

I took some visitors down to San Antonio to see the Alamo a few months ago. It was shoulder to shoulder inside the Alamo: the crowds were quite thick and the gift shop did a large amount of business.

They have great displays (historical guns and knives) at the Alamo and what's left of the buildings have been nicely restored.

The staff at the Alamo is quite large, I guess because of the large crowds and the many things to see. This would explain the $5 million plus budget. Hopefully no one is high-jacking this loot, or no one did.

San Antonio itself is a great place to visit, the River Walk has lots of attractions: for all ages, but particularly the young people. The food is delicious there. If you like Mexican, or Tex-Mex food, San Antonio is the place to chow down.

And, San Antonio is very tourist friendly.

Hoppy

[oyez]

I knew something was wrong when PeeWee's bicycle was not safe in the basement of the Alamo.

[BenLurkin]

"Republic. I like the sound of the word. It means people can live free, talk free, go or come, buy or sell, be drunk or sober, however they choose.

Some words give you a feeling. Republic is one of those words that makes me tight in the throat. The same tightness a man gets when his baby takes his first step, or his first baby shaves, and makes his first sound like a man.

Some words can give you a feeling that make your heart warm. Republic is one of those words. "

[PBRSTREETGANG]

"They never told me," she said in trying to explain her removal.

Probably makes her feel like DRT.

[sharktrager]

Actually, I am not fond of the restoration work. Not only is it not a restoration to the original construction, it ignores the fact that the battle occurred in what was a crumbling structure, not a well maintained chapel. The main building, for example, had little remaining beyond the facade at the time of the battle.

[TexanToTheCore]

The Alamo is kept in pristine condition by the staff and volunteers of the DRT, and it is more than a bunch of old buildings. The gounds are fairly extensive and require a great deal of care.

The Alamo is holy ground to Texans and is treated well. I found myself doffing my cowboy hat (rare) and speaking in hushed tones out of respect to those stalwart men who set us free. It is a very sobering experience to sit in the gardens and know that Texas began on that very ground.

As far as the 5.2 million budget, I am surprised that it is so little. As far as most Texans are concerned the DRT can spend any amount they want and we will cover it, without using tax dollars.

May God bless those men who died for us and for Texas, and may He bring uncountable blessings to their families. Amen.

[Squantos]

As a Texan I understand the Alamo thank you but 5.2 Mil a year is a bit much still. Restoration projects and day to day costs are two different critters.

Stay Safe !

[marty60]

This may have something to do with her canning. Knowing Disney and history, there must be something sacrilegious in this movie.

[StrictTime]

"Running the first fund-raising gala last fall, which cleared more than $100,000 for the Alamo Fund.

Maybe this a clue as to why Carter got sacked. Our very small private school (<220 students) cleared over $100,000 in our fund-raising auction last year. I suspect they want someone who can follow through on a fund-raising plan that *should* net well over that amount.

[SwinneySwitch]

That little feller peers to be out in Pecos county.

[hummingbird]

Amen.

When visiting San Antonio, all should check out the other missions near the Alamo. I've taken the self-tour twice and there are no crowds; it is awesome. They are an interesting slice of history and architecture and it is very peaceful to wander around.

http://www.lsjunction.com/facts/missions.htm

[hummingbird]

"The stars at night are big and bright,
(*clap, clap, clap, clap*)
deep in the Heart of Texas!"

I'm glad PeeWee got his bicycle back!

[Rocky]

Your little insert of Alaska is kinda downsized, pardner.

[SwinneySwitch]

(Robert McLeroy/Express-News)

(L to R) Children of the Republic of Texas members Whitney Marion and Cara Mitchell place a wreath during the Texas Independence Day Celebration at the Alamo.