Greenbelt cooperator., 1940-11-07
LG1 PRESIDENT REPORTS
AT QUARTERLY MEETING

In the first place, you all know, former
general manager, sulo Laakso, resigned to be-
di strict supervisor of a chain of markets in
Waterbury, Connecticut. By unanimous vote of the
Board, George Hodsdon became general manager of
cooperative September 80. Under the finan-
cial agreement covering repayment of Consumer Dis
tribution Corporations loan to cooperative,
this appointment subject to CDC's approval.
That approval has been granted.
SHOULD like to state for the Board that feel
that are very fortunate to have of Mr.. Hod-
sdon's ability available to the most respon
sible task in cooperative and that look for
ward wi tn the greatest confidence to continued pro-
gres3 under his leadership.
At the quarterly meeting Nay l Of this year,
the membership authorized the Board to expend up
$500 to the vacant store under the adin stra
tion offices variety store. After delay,
due in part period Or unsettled financial
lions resulting from the inception o. the European
war; the Board September l3 Instructed the manager
to proceed at with for opening the
store.
The fixtures for the store are now being con-
strlcted, at cost CT approximately S22Oo, and will
be delivered to during the week of November 10.
In connection wi tn the opening of the variety
store, it necessary to decide whether to take
the entire space originally planned and built for
the store, to occupy temporarily all of the space
except that used by the Town Heal tn Clinic.
After consideration, the Board voted unanimous
ly to utilize the entire store space necessi tating
the removal of the Health clinic to other quarters.
This action was taken witt the express approval of
the present general manager, the variety store
ger, and Herbert E. Evans, vice-president of Con-
s,Hner 0 stribution Corporation.
The major reasons for. this decision were the in
adequacy of the smaller space for display purposes,
the expense of remodeling if smaller space
occupied for interim period, the desire to open
the store properly when it is opened and the fact
that the store space designed and built to be
operated a unit.
The cooperative has further contributed to the
shortage available space in Greenbelt by taking
over the garage space adjoining the fire house.
This sion also reached by unanimous of
the Board wi til the approval of the general manager
the service station manager, and Consumer hstribu-
ion ion ThnQp pUfhn nhc fhn car1yico
station employees coaxing recalcitr automobiles
during bitter days last winter realize that it
Necessary that be provided for winter
vicing of cars. From business, we'll hu-
manitarian, point of view, the lack of cover
very undesi rable for each spring Service sta
tion has had to try to win back customers lost dur
ing the winter because frozen fingers and cold
toughened grease will not permit satisfactory
tine greasing and repair work.
Because receiving from Southern States
Cooperative Wholesale without charge the use of
car-lift, the cost Of opening the garage will be
less than 5000. The garage will be open be-
fore November IS.
Under the financial agreement between the cooper
ative and Distribution Corporation, the
operative has agreed to retire its debt to CDc at
the rate of at least $4,000 per year. In June the
cooperative paid $4,000 to CDC. Last week paid
dtional $lOOO This leaves only $1,000 due at the
end Of this year, cDC has expressed its appreciation
of receiving these payments in advance Of the end Of
the year, and the cooperative has been relieved of
interest these amounts.
At the last membership meeting the Board asked
the membership to authorize it to enter into
tract for theater management covering period of
several years. This authori zation granted, and
the Board has since entered into such contract
covering period of about two and one half years.
The Board is happy to report that under this con-
tract the Greenbelt Theater has abandoned its
dition of operating in the red, and is contrt-
buting major share Of the success of coopera-
tive.
At the last membership meeting, the membership
authorized the Board to enter into contract with
Consumer Distribution Corporation for advis sorry
ageent service. Such contract has been discussed
wi tn representatives Of CDC, but have yet
ceived formal offer from CDC, the Board has not
yet acted upon this authorization.
Concerning the financial report, whi ch Will be
presented in detail by the Treasurer will remark
only that the continued loyal support of our MEMBERS
and other patrons has resulted successful