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.
