Bessie Smith Management Vow To Improve Security and Transparency

CHATTANOOGA, TN, (WDEF)-A burglary and the miscalculation of 20,000 dollars worth of wristbands left Bessie Smith’s management seeking an advisory panel and using independent auditors and accountants to make sure they are better equipped for 2015.

Jeffrey Wilson, Chairman, Bessie Smith Cultural Center,"This number on the supposed number of wristbands and so then during the reconciliation process I guess the wrist band count didn’t add up"

Stronger accountancy practices and improved staff training will also come into play in the coming months.

"I guess it’s one thing if you handle tokens but you have got this process now when you are handling cash money, it requires an extra level of supervision"

Control of finances and deposits will now also be a major focus for the organization.

"40,000 dollars, I guess 39,800 was returned you don’t sit back and say where is the next 80,000 did someone pocket money, we are here to say no"

Panel members say they are saddened that the Bessie Smith lost some of her strut in 2014.

"All the good things that are done in this community on behalf of the cultural history of Chattanooga are then overshadowed by an event of criminality" says UTC Chancellor Roger Brown,

The report highlighted a greater focus on transparency and clearer governance  for volunteers are also major contributors  in making sure the Bessie Smith is safer and better than ever next summer.

Bessie Smith management added that limiting key access and improved security systems will be vital in making sure another burglary does not happen next year.