| Conference staff braves fungus By Erik Alsgaard UMConnection STaff  Staff and employees at the Baltimore-Washington Conference Center have been dealing for almost a month with the aspergillus fungus (mold), discovered in the building. Aspergillus is a naturally occurring fungus with many varieties. Which strain has made the Conference Center home has not yet been determined, said the Rev. Jim Knowles-Tuell, conference treasurer and chief financial officer. The mold is not deadly, but it is toxic, he said. It all began, according to Knowles-Tuell, with the construction of the Conference Center building, located at 9720 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia. The building was constructed in 1989, and is owned by A. J. Partners Limited Partnership. As a result of inadequate construction of the building, a fungi has developed in the building, said Knowles-Tuell. In particular, the foundation and eastern wall were not properly sealed against moisture. An environmental specialist was immediately called in, and all necessary steps have been taken to safeguard employees, ascertain the nature of the problem and continue the work of the conference. Several conference staff experienced symptoms from the mold, he said. Those people have been encouraged to see a doctor or specialist, and the conference will cover the costs. At least two conference staff members report having experienced more severe neurological symptoms as a result of being exposed to the toxins. Those most affected by the mold are being allowed to work from home or at other sites. Production of this issue of UMConnection, for example, was moved to Glen Mar UMC in Ellicott City. Bishop Felton Edwin May expressed his appreciation to employees in the Conference Center during an all-staff meeting Dec. 2 at Locust UMC, Columbia. He also thanked several near-by United Methodist Churches that have graciously lent staff space for meetings and other functions. The problem accumulated for many months or years, Knowles-Tuell said, but it wasnt until after heavy November rains that the problem rose to the surface. Most affected by the mold are the offices housing the conference finance and administration staff, pensions and health benefits, several district superintendents and the bishop. Walls and carpeting have been torn out and replaced in the affected areas, and the entire building has undergone extensive cleaning, Knowles-Tuell said. We are working with our lawyer and the landlord to resolve any financial issues arising as a result of this problem, said Knowles-Tuell. The conference pays about $500,000 per year in rent and other costs for the building, according to the Rev. Dick Stetler, a member of the conference board of trustees and pastor of St. Matthews UMC in Bowie. Ironically, it was Stetler who reported to Knowles-Tuell and the Conference Council on Finance and Administration at its Nov. 20 meeting that the landlord was unwilling to sell the building to the conference. As a result of that decision, CFA appointed Stetler and a task force to begin searching for alternative conference center accommodations when the current lease expires in 2006. | 
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