Female GRDA board member believes she's being discriminated against

<br>VINITA, Okla. (AP) _ A board member of the Grand River Dam Authority believes her male counterparts are trying to keep her from becoming chairwoman. <br><br>Barbara Conner is the only female board

Friday, January 17th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

VINITA, Okla. (AP) _ A board member of the Grand River Dam Authority believes her male counterparts are trying to keep her from becoming chairwoman.

Barbara Conner is the only female board member in the authority's 67-year history. She voiced her concerns on Wednesday during a meeting of the board's policy and procedure committee.

``They (the committee) had a prepared statement saying they wanted to do away with rotating the position of chairman of the board,'' Conner said Thursday.

The GRDA is a governmental entity responsible for the construction and operation of dams along the river to produce electricity and control floods. It delivers electricity across 24 counties in northeastern Oklahoma.

The governor appoints the authority's board members. Conner said the election of chairman was postponed until March.

W.R. Horkey, C. Gene Quarles and Robert S. Gee make up the policy and procedures committee.

Horkey said the election of chairman was on the agenda, but questions arose about not having a written policy regarding rotating board members to be chairman.

``Over the years, the number of directors has changed, and some bylaws do not appear to be applicable,'' Horkey said.

Horkey declined comment on charges that Conner was being discriminated against because she is a woman.

``She (Conner) did make a representation during the meeting she has been discriminated because she is a woman, but (that) she has learned to deal with it,'' Horkey said.

Of the five board members who haven't served as chairman, Conner has the most seniority, he said.

Horkey also wouldn't comment on whether he believes Conner is qualified for the post.

Conner's professional background includes banking, manufacturing and public relations. She is past president and current executive director and treasurer of the South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Conner previously served on the board of the Grand Lake Association.

She began her term with the authority in January 1998 when she was appointed to fill a vacated seat.

According to the authority's Web site, the governor appoints board members. Members of the nine-member board serve staggered, seven-year terms, with one position opening each year.

Conner was elected vice chairwoman in 2002. She said she was supposed to serve as vice chairwoman in 1999 and chairwoman in 2000, but was not chosen.

``They elected me as vice chairwoman, but they did it as a joke because they thought my term was completed,'' Conner alleged. ``They didn't realize I was eligible for another seven-year term, which began in January.

``If the board can prevent me from the position as chairwoman, then they can do it to the next woman or anybody.