Past Grand Master Doug Simmons of Arkansas has responded by email to the Burning Taper's report about resignations from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas F&AM. It reads in part:
The complete response can be read here.
Both Brothers Weatherall and Jones have served in their positions for almost two decades.
Rumors of other possible grand officer resignations appear to be unsubstantiated at this time.
Grand Secretary James Weatherall has been carefully planning his retirement for the last 4 years, due to culminate in the Spring of this year;
Grand Treasurer Garry Jones has been urged by his doctors to permanently curtail his activities due to on-going and increasing health problems. Knowing he would not want his medical history discussed with strangers, I will not elaborate.
I have known both of these honorable gentlemen for over 20 years, and have spent many, many hours in pleasant conversations with both of them, on personal and Masonic levels. Their resignations have nothing whatever to do with any current dealings of the Grand Lodge or any of its officers.
The complete response can be read here.
Both Brothers Weatherall and Jones have served in their positions for almost two decades.
Rumors of other possible grand officer resignations appear to be unsubstantiated at this time.