Something is not right!
I'm not looking to find blame but rather to inform the public and raise issues about the management of SWSDA with hopes that the exercise will produce change and positive results.... to do so the following kinds of things have to stop and/or be better supervised.
On September 28, 29 and 30 Mr. Anderson made the following meal expense claims.
QUESTION
Why are taxpayers in our nine municipalities paying for meals of ACOA and the MLA? Doesn't make sense to me and most government travel regulations would not permit it to happen. Here's the documentation we have.....
Sept. 28 Meeting $214.35
September 29, Meeting MLA & New Business $160.01
September 30, Meeting ACOA $252.06
PLUS
A claim for $511.01 with the notation "September to October 18/05 Meeting Expenses See Receipts"
Receipts provided with this claim include:
a)an invoice from Rudder's Seafood in Yarmouth on September 28, 2005 at nearly 11:00 at night for $177.95 with a $40.00 tip, for a total of $217.95;
b) an invoice from Rudder's Seafood in Yarmouth on September 29, 2005 for $130.01 plus a handwritten tip of $30.00;
c) an invoice on September 28, 2005 from the Rodd Grand in Yarmouth for 3 White Russians, 2 Corona and 3 Seagrams Crown for $41.70 with a tip of $8.30 for a total of $50.00.
I was unable to find a receipt for the $252.06 meal claim for meeting with ACOA reported in the expense claim but assume it was also for meals/drinks in Yarmouth.
However, I did find:
a) an invoice from the Rodd Grand Hotel in Yarmouth on September 21, 2005 at 0:38 AM in the morning for 6 Glenfiddich and 6 Cointreau for a total expense of $58.72 plus a handwritten amount including tip of $12.28 bringing the total to $70.00;
b) an invoice for September 20, 2005 at Rudder's Seafood for $74.06 with a handwritten tip of $17.00 for a total of $91.06;
c) an illegible recipt for $136.00 on September 20, 2005;
d) a handwritten receipt on plain paper dated Sepetember 23, 2005 for $25.00 with the notation "Golf Club";
e) a handwritten receipt on plain paper dated Sepetember 20, 2005 for $50.00 with the notation "Golf Club";
f) a handwritten receipt on plain paper with no date for $25.00 with the notation "Frank Anderson, 7 coolers = $31.50, 1 Beer = $4.00" with the total of $35.50 crossed out and a new total added of "$45.00"
g) an illegible receipt with a total of $64.34 pencilled in;
h) a receipt from Pizza Delight at 17:14 hours in Yarmouth dated October 14, 2005 for $22.00; and, last but not least......
i) an odd receipt from the Rodd Colony dated October 3, 2005 at 8:58 PM which reads:
Corona (2 @ $4.75) $ 9.50
Lobster Sandwich $ 8.95
Extra Fries $ 1.25
Drambuie (4 @$4.40) $17.60
Large Draft $ 3.91
Total $47.39
Balance Due $47.39
Handwritten is $ 8.00
Handwritten is $55.39
It appears that only one person ate .... so the question is ..... was that person the only one who consumed the 2 coronas, 4 drambuies and the large draft or were there other folks there who watched the one person eat? And..... if this was for only one person, who was that person and why are taxpayers paying for it?
QUESTIONS
1. Are these expenses for booze and food justified.... what are we paying for and why.... and more importantly, how is this helping socio-economic development in our communities?
2. Does anyone approve these expenditures before or after the fact?
3. Is the Chair of SWSDA involved in providing overview on Mr. Anderson's expenses.
4. How effectively is business conducted in this booze filled atmosphere and what is the image projected of our communities to potential investors, businesses and other government agencies?
I am told that when Darian Huskilson was Treasurer of SWSDA he demanded that Mr. Anderson show him his travel expenses and Mr. Huskilson was rebuffed. I am also told that is the reason Mr. Huskilson was removed as Treasurer of SWSDA. Does the new Treasurer of SWSDA review the CEO's expenses?
Readers have been asking.... Why aren't the Board members assuming their responsibilities?
I would ask our readers.... How do we get SWSDA's Board and the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments to impose proper management controls over this out of control development agency?
Any ideas.... we'd love to hear them.
7 comments:
How I'd love to be a fly on the wall during these off-the-record meetings! Not only is Frank's MO of secrecy damning, but his entertainment after hours at the taxpayer's expense is utterly galling. What a swine (polite again)!
Why would the ACOA reps and Hurlburt charge their bills to SWSDA? It doesn't make sense. Where was Redding when these receipts were presented to the Board of Directors for their approval?
What was the accounting firm of Wheelans and White thinking when they let those receipts slide by during that year's audit?
This smells like a big, scummy trough that needs a good cleansing immediately.
Working with the feds my expenses were for mileage and the odd meal. From what I see Frank spent in one day what I'd see in a 6 mos. I can see my boss's face if any of us claimed a beer here or there. He guarded the feds money as if it was his own. Where was the treasurer during all of this.I've got to find a job with SWSDA.
Why isn't Mr. Huskilson speaking out about his removal? I can't figure that one out, as it seems he would want to clear his name in this mess, and not be seen as part of the problem.
The solution to the whole thing is a change in the provincial government, and if Mr. Huskilson won't speak up, maybe Sterling will. I'm listening...
This is Provincial Money
Office of the Auditor General of Nova Scotia
Mr.Jacques Lapointe - lapoinjr@gov.ns.ca
This is Federal Money
Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Ms. Sheila Fraser - communications@oag-bvg.gc.ca
This money was to help us grow our local economies and it has only helped Anderson and his friends. Unless you are one of Anderson's friends you have nothing to show for the millions spent. send e-mails to both auditor generals and your mayors and wardens. Tell them what you think , I did.
Anonymous, Thanks for these email addresses. It will give us a chance to voice our dismay at what appears to be an RDA gone bad to the core. Only in Shelburne could this happen. Things were bad years ago and nothing has changed.
Mr. Cayer, When did this RDA start to go off the rails or has it always operated with the closed door policy? You've got a big problem Shelburne - RDAs are to be open and willing to work with the citizens of the area and you'll need lots of help from Municipal Affairs to make any corrections. It's hard to believe they've escaped the yearly 'independent' audit, and I find it harder to believe the Board of Directors have put themselves in such an untenable position. I'd be out of there in a flash. The people of Shelburne are lucky to have you filling the void the media should be investigating. All the best in your upcoming court cases. They say what goes around comes around.
Does the RDA run the Coastguard paper? Perhaps
Gabby Hurlburt owns it.................
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