Friends fight for access to John Q. Hammons

Friends fight for access to John Q. Hammons


Details emerge in Hammons case: Hammons Hotels CEO has been subpoenaed Kinder felt 'stonewalled' by Hammons associates Lt. Gov. says he's still concerned about John Q. Hammons Court-appointed lawyer likely to interview John Q. Hammons Court-appointed attorney likely to check on John Q. Hammons soon

Longtime friends of hotel magnate John Q. Hammons are asking a Greene County probate official to appoint a guardian to oversee his care, accusing the current CEO of the hotel company of keeping him in involuntary seclusion at a Springfield nursing home.

"I did it because I'm an acquaintance and felt it was the right thing to do," said Bonnie Bell, one of the petitioners and an executive at KWTO.

Jacqueline Dowdy, the CEO of John Q. Hammons Resorts and Hotels, has power of attorney for Hammons. She has maintained that two doctors have certified that Hammons, 92, is incapacitated and unable to make or communicate health care decisions, according to the petition filed with Greene County.

Dowdy could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

A hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 22 in front of commissioner Carol Aiken. The proposed guardian would be David Yancey, the county's public administrator.

Scott Tarwater, the company's former executive vice president of development, said he hasn't seen or talked to Hammons since last August. Tarwater is listed as a potential witness in the petition.

"My concern has always been for Mr. Hammons' welfare," Tarwater said. "I would love to see him again and visit with him."

Tarwater was once thought to be in line to lead the company when Hammons could no longer run it.

Former state senator Norma Champion, who is also listed as a potential witness, said a lot of people are concerned about Hammons. Champion said she had been told that Hammons wanted to see her, but when she tried to see him, she was told by Dowdy that she couldn't.

"I can't believe that anyone is so physically ill or mentally ill that they wouldn't be allowed to see their friends unless they've asked not to," Champion said.


She said she wants to be sure that Hammons doesn't think his friends have deserted him.


Jim Anderson, the president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, said he would have liked to have helped Hammons celebrate his birthday on Feb. 24. Hammons was known for his birthday celebrations. His 90th was held at JQH Arena, which is named after him.

"Certainly all of us missed being able to wish him a happy birthday," Anderson said.

Last year, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services received a complaint about Hammons' care, but after investigation said it found the complaint to be unsubstantiated

Please read complete article and referral links:

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110309/NEWS01/103090400/1007/Lt-Gov-says-he-s-still-concerned-about-John-Q-Hammons

Editor's note: This type of alienation from friends and family is a typical tactic used by the Probate Court of Cook County.  Once a ward is isolated from loved ones, predatory GALs, health care rehabilitation type companies, "care givers", judges and lawyers are free to "pick the bones clean" for their own profit.  Editor's note (with sarcasm): You gotta watch out for those wild State Senators and Chamber of Commerce Presidents.