E. Lorraine Baugh, CEO of the Lena Park CDC where she has worked for the past 11 years, was asked to resign from her post last week. She complied with the request.

"I received no advance notice or warning nor did I have any inkling that such a move was contemplated," Baugh said in an e-mail obtained by the Reporter.

Maureen Harrington, her former assistant, referred questions to a public relations firm, Solomon McCown, which forwarded a statement from the board of directors thanking Baugh for her "many years of dedicated service." When reached by phone, Baugh also would not speculate why she was asked to resign and messages left for board members of Lena Park were not returned.

"The board decided they needed a different leader," said Baugh. "I'm supportive of Lena Park, and I have been all along and will continue to be. I don't have anything else to say."

Ronald Jones, an accountant who has sat on the Lena Park board for some time, has been chosen as interim director.

- PETE STIDMAN