The Alamo's operations have come under renewed focus after three of its top managers quit this spring, including the director, David Stewart, who said the Daughters stymied ideas to increase revenue. Also, two rebellious Daughters, critical of the organization's leaders for resisting new business initiatives, have formed a separate nonprofit to raise money for the Alamo – outside the group's control.
The Daughters' president general, Patti Atkins, dismissed the complaints, saying the Alamo's financial stability is secure and its marketing and development plans are being sharpened.
For more than a century, the group has cared for the state's most popular tourist attraction – without charging admission or taking taxpayer money. The Alamo's latest budget is about $5 million, almost all from its gift store sales.
Atkins said the Daughters, apparently as part of their bylaws, have for years provided annual financial reports to the governor and will continue to do so, even though state statutes do not require it.
As for the reports being trashed without any evaluation, Atkins said it doesn't bother her. "What they do with them is up to them," she said.
Stewart said that like the Texas Historical Commission that vets plans to make physical changes to the Alamo, the state should be as active in reviewing its financial practices.
"It's nice to give someone the responsibility to manage one of your properties, but you have to care enough to make sure it's being managed right," he said.
The Daughters' backers say they deserve much credit for their work in protecting the Alamo, where Texas loyalists fell to the Mexican Army in 1836. The Daughters, who trace their family lineage to Texas' revolutionary era, have about 6,000 members.
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