More on this at www.princerupert.com

A friend of mine from an Electoral Area asked me what I understood as to the current situation at the Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District. The following points are my understanding of what events have led to recent information from SQCRD Board Meetings and the newspapers.

I think the events as listed are close to chronological and as close to the truth as I can discern.

Intro of Email

I very rarely get angry, but misrepresentation should not go unchallenged. At the SQCRD Board Meeting tonight, April 20, 2007, the “Cheques Over $5,000” report listed two cheques to the Interim Administrator, Tanalee Hesse; one in the amount of $5,724.00 and the second in the amount of $7,552.50 which totals $13,276.00 for the period from February 26th, 2007, to March 23, 2007 – slightly less than one month. We were then told that this was comparable to the cost for the previous administrator. That would mean our previous Administrator was earning $159,318.00 annually. Janet Beil, the previous Administrator, clearly stated she did not make anywhere near that amount. We were then told that the cost was comparative to hiring someone from out-of-town, paying wages, traveling expenses, etc. In that case, what is the saving for hiring locally?


T Hesse salary from 2/26 to 3/ 23 =
$159,318.00 annually!!




As I mentioned at the meeting, I telephoned Victoria to ask the ramifications of a budget being adopted without the 2006 audit having been completed, particularly if the budget resulted in an unnecessarily high requisition. I was advised that the budget CAN be amended, but that our taxes will be based on the requisition, which does NOT get amended. As a concerned taxpayer, not only for myself, but especially those on a fixed income, I do not believe that in these difficult economic times, we can afford this frivolity. The audit should have been completed in February with the audit and budget prepared in March. It is now April 20th, and we were advised at this meeting that the audit is still not completed! These people are dealing with your money and mine. We should be concerned!



I do know that even after having been terminated ‘Without Cause’, Janet offered to assist in the preparation of the budget and requisition. Her offer was not accepted – which I believe is ultimately going to cost each and every one of us.


2007 Budget without 2006 Audit

Taxes will be based upon ‘requisition’ not an amended budget

SUMMARY OF EVENTS/TIMELINE

1. About two years ago, the City of Prince Rupert put forth a proposal to disband the Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District Board.

2. The proposal was something to the effect the Port Edward & Prince Rupert would join the Kitimat Stikine Regional District; the Electoral Areas of Dodge Cove & Oona River could come under the City of Prince Rupert and the Queen Charlottes could have a new Regional District. This was shot down by the Provincial Government.

3. Last year, an 'Ax-Man' was brought in in an attempt to get rid of Janet and at the conclusion of his interviews and assessment, there was nothing there for him to terminate Janet and the general conclusion was that this Board is dysfunctional. An expert was hired to come to Prince Rupert to assist the Board & Administrator as to roles and responsibilities

4. Last May, the Director on the SQCRD Board from Port Edward asked why she did not sit on the Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District Hospital Board (as do the rest of the SQCRD Board Members) instead of Dave MacDonald who is Mayor of Port Edward.

5. Janet advised that she is the Administrator of the SQCRD Board and does not have any say in who sits on any Board. She was asked to get a copy of the Bylaw of the SQCRD Hospital Board for clarification, which she did, and gave it to the Administrator for the District of Port Edward.

6. Dave MacDonald called Janet and left a mail message sounding really irritated. As a result, Janet had two witnesses in her office when she returned the call. She said, many times, that she was the Administrator for SQCRD; had no say who sits on any Board; to discuss the matter with the District of Port Edward Council and/or the SQCRD Board Members.

7. Dave MacDonald wrote a letter to Barry Pages, Chair of the SQCRD Board, saying that Janet had said the SQCRD Board Members did not want him to sit on the Board - NEVER HAPPENED - and as a result, Pages suspended Janet without pay, terminating her for 'Just Cause' for dishonesty, etc. Janet got a lawyer, and at her hearing, all of this was proven false and dismissed. She was then terminated - for apparently the SAME REASONS - but 'Without Cause'.

8. They did this in January of 2007, before the Year End Audit had even started; before the budget had been prepared; before the Requisition to the Government for operating funds had been completed!!! There were two proposals in the works - water systems for Oona River and Dodge Cove - which she was unable to complete as when she was suspended, she was escorted to the front door.

9. Janet has a contract with the Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District and has been an employee for 19 years. Over the past 5 years, as Administrator, she managed to reduce the taxes while buying major assets throughout the Regional District, obtaining funds for major projects and investing surplus funds for each area.

10. Janet and her lawyer are still in negotiations as to the terms of her termination settlement. As I understand it, a 'Severance Payout' was never in the equation but an agreement that would be much easier on taxpayers as I know Janet has always had the taxpayers interests at heart.

11. At the last meeting of the SQCRD Board, a budget was presented. Part of the budget showed 2006 as 'Actual' even though the audit has not been completed. Without the 2006 audit done, there is a major impact on the 2007 budget as each area is currently showing deficits in many areas. It was also stated that $243,000.00 is to be taken out of Reserves as a Severance Package has to be paid. I personally know that Janet will not receive anywhere near that amount as wage payout according to contract. Janet's wage is disclosed in the annual report to the Government - an open document. Some of the money in Reserves can only be redeemed by Bylaw from the communities affected. There is a much smaller amount under 'Administration' which could be taken, but NOT monies belonging to definitive areas.

12. Des Nobles, Ian Hetman & Karl Bergman were the only Directors opposed to the whole thing. Des even brought a motion of Non-Confidence against Chair Pages.