UCHC in disarray, many officers resign

The University City Hospitality Coalition has been in a state of disarray since the resignation of its executive director, president, treasurer and two other board members. The resignations followed allegations that a board member engaged in a drug transaction with a client. UCHC is a University-affiliated organization which has served meals to the homeless in University City for 10 years. At the center of the controversy is Will Armour, a UCHC client and board member, College sophomore Danny Gerber said. According to a prepared statement by former UCHC Executive Director David Lynn, "on Wednesday, March 16, I was approached at the nightly UCHC meal by a client who is also a board member. He informed me that he had found approximately two pounds of cocaine at another UCHC meal site." "He had 'put out the word' to find out who owned it originally so that he could return it," the statement continued. "Because two people had claimed it (one of which was currently at the meal site), he needed my help in deciding who was the 'rightful owner'." Lynn said he wanted to report the incident to University Police, but that he and the board's president decided not to call as they were persuaded against it by Armour. "I suggested we call the police," he stated. "[But] the individual claimed that the drugs were no longer at a meal site and that the transaction would take place somewhere away from the meals." Lynn consulted with University Police Lieutenant Susan Holmes about the possibility that a felony was committed. Incoming UCHC President Lee Ann Drawd said she is not certain Lynn's version of the events is correct. She added that Armour, who has been living with her recently, has been treated unfairly. "I don't want to verify anyone's story," said Drawd, a University graduate. "This whole business has been really hard on him as it is. He made his own judgement on what to do with [the cocaine]." At the last UCHC board meeting on April 28, discussion lasted for more than an hour as to whether to remove Armour from the board. Although a majority of board members wanted to remove Armour, a three-quarters majority was necessary to remove him. After that number of votes was not attained, Lynn and others resigned. "Some felt he should be removed from the board, and others thought he shouldn't be removed from the board," Drawd said. "And that is what started this whole business with people resigning."