We are disappointed, to say the least, in the forced resignation of Lamont Watkins as head of the Zebulon Boys & Girls Club.

While no person is larger than the institution he serves, Watkins is virtually synonymous with the Zebulon Boys & Girls Club.

He has worked tirelessly to raise children above their lots in life. He has been part father, part friend, part mentor to many who have passed through the club’s doors.

In the community, Watkins has represented the organization admirably, helping to establish the Zebulon Boys & Girls Club as a leading non-profit in the Zebulon area.

Watkins’ departure has upset parents and children alike, not to mention the staff that worked with Watkins.

We also know that, like any other private organization, the leadership of the Boys & Girls Club has a right and responsibility to manage itself as it deems best.

Wake County Boys & Girls Club President Ralph Capps said in an interview after the decision was announced that Watkins will remain a special part of the Boys & Girls Club because of his long history with the organization, first as a club member, then as an employee and organization leader.

We find that sentiment hard to believe considering the decision Capps ultimately reached.

We also worry that there was little substantive communication about the matter to club members, their parents or to members of the Zebulon Club’s advisory board.

Capps met with the children who were present at the club the day Watkins was forced to resign.

Club members who weren’t present learned of Watkins’ departure by word of mouth.

Parents were given no indication that a change had been made unless they called Capps personally to find out.

And advisory board leader Michael Weeks says he was only given a brief e-mail noting Watkins’ resignation. That e-mail, he said, contained no explanation.

Therein lies another concern. While we doubt advisory board members were completely in the dark concerning Watkins’ dismissal, we are displeased at their milquetoast reaction.

For a man they admittedly respected, there wasn’t much fight about the momentous decision to let Watkins go.

Everyone — most especially the children — is poorer for this debacle.