JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP/KMOX) — A member of the foundation board that oversees the Missouri Governor’s Mansion says she stepped down over concerns about the increasing role of the governor’s wife in decision-making.
St. Louis architect Marion Smith raised her concerns about Teresa Parson in an October letter to colleagues on the Friends of the Missouri Governor’s Mansion Foundation board, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The foundation is a not-for-profit that manages and raises money for the 150-year-old residence.
Her resignation letter state the board has “allowed the wife of a politician to dictate our staffing and how we spend our money as well as participating in our board meetings," and that the board has “lost its integrity as an independent not-for-profit organization.”
A statement from the office of Gov. Mike Parson was given to the Post-Dispatch:
“Governor Parson and the First Lady have and will continue to support the Friends of the Mansion and the work that they do on behalf of the People’s House,” said spokeswoman Kelli Jones.
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A report in September about the first lady's involvement with the foundation stated she was spearheading a $150,000 update to the Maus House, which is on the mansion's property.
“She was hoping to be able to use the property for guests of the mansion if ever needed,” Jones told the Post-Dispatch at that time.
Smith’s exodus comes after the longtime director of the foundation, Rebecca Gordon, stepped down in September.
The mansion is the official residence of the governor and first lady and is one of the oldest chief executive homes in the U.S. The property underwent a nearly $4 million renovation in 2019.
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