The Templeton Area Advisory Group (TAAG) voted unanimously on Jan. 15 to remove longtime board member and Vice Chair Murray Powell following the resignation of former Chair Jennifer Jones, who cited ongoing misconduct and disorderly meetings.
Jones announced her resignation in a Dec. 15 letter to the community, describing what she said were repeated violations of TAAG bylaws and rules of order.
“Due to the problematic behaviors of a board member that are against our bylaws, policies and procedures, and Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, the board cannot conduct meetings in a civilized and professional manner,” Jones wrote.
She said she could no longer lead a board where members shouted, used profanity, and violated bylaws.
“Board members are expected to be respectful. Feeling unsafe in my own home or in the boardroom due to someone’s behavior is unacceptable,” Jones wrote. “We have made amazing progress as a board this year but fail to represent the community effectively when meetings are such a disaster. The board needs to support the community and foster a relationship that encourages participation.”
Jones didn’t identify the board member in her letter. On Jan. 15, however, the board voted unanimously to remove Powell for violating two TAAG bylaws, according to newly appointed Chair David Leader.
“There was a lot of concern from both the public and the board, especially about his conduct and behavior,” Leader said. “We found him to be extremely disrespectful to board members, particularly to the former chair, as well as to planning department staff and, at times, community members speaking at the podium.”
New Times contacted Jones, who declined to comment.
Leader said the first bylaw violation involved the process for replacing a resigning chair. Under TAAG bylaws, the board is required to appoint a new chair at the next meeting without needing an agenda item or consent vote. Leader said Powell insisted the appointment be placed on the agenda and repeatedly blocked the process.
“He would not yield,” Leader said. “Eventually, the board decided that rather than continuing a debate that was going in circles, we would allow him to continue running the meeting and postpone the appointment to the following month.”
The second violation involved agenda procedures. Leader said that when two or more delegates request an agenda item, it must be added. He said all six delegates emailed Powell requesting an item to vote on his removal, but Powell did not include it.
“The item was to take a vote to remove Murray from the board, and he did not add that to the agenda,” Leader said.
“It’s very sad,” he said. “Murray was a wealth of information. He’s very bright, very knowledgeable, and understands how the system works. He’s been on the TAAG board for at least 10 years, so we hate to see him go.”
Leader said Powell plans to run again in the March election and that the board would welcome him back if he commits to respectful conduct.
“We’re hoping that he’ll be a little more respectful and willing to get along with everybody,” Leader said.
Powell is likely to regain a seat, Leader said, as no other candidates have filed for the open position. He added that the board was told that Powell has consulted an attorney, though no further details were available.
New Times reached out to Powell, but he did not respond before publication. ∆
This article appears in Jan 22-29, 2026.
Check out some of Cambria’s volunteer groups if you’re curious about conflict and elitism in the wild. Witness chairs who genuinely believe they’ve been promoted to minor deities.