Three Rivers accepts Drury building donation

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Three Rivers Community College trustee questioned the recent Drury Southwest donation of the Pear Tree Inn and adjacent restaurant building but found himself in the minority.

Board member Steve Cookson voted against adopting the resolution of the property, but the motion passed 4-1 during the board meeting Thursday, with trustee Randy Grassham abstaining.

"I feel like we're going a little bit fast," Cookson said.

He said he did not know what the junior college planned to do with the property, what the cost would be and whether an attorney had looked over the stipulations.

Three Rivers president Dr. Devin Stephenson said the property could be used as instructional rooms, federal program offices, a TV/radio studio, or a center for tech support, conferences, work-force solutions and small business development. Its use will be determined within two years, he said.

Negotiations have been made with the donor's corporate counsel, Stephenson said, adding that Poplar Bluff attorney Danny Moore examined the restrictions in detail.

Limitations include using the estate for establishments that may diminish the value of the neighboring Drury Inn.

Before board treasurer Randy Winston made the motion confirming the donation, Cookson passed around a list of 23 questions he had written regarding the building donation.

One of his notes pointed out the language of the term, which states the easements will continue until "21 years less 91 days after the death of the last survivor of all the descendants of George Herbert Walker Bush living on the date hereof."

Tibbs made light of exchange with the proverb "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

Pertinent address:

2080 Three Rivers Boulevard Poplar Bluff, MO