Recycling advocate takes Regional District to task over accountability

Jean Martin, one of Prince Rupert's most passionate advocates for recycling in the city has addressed some concerns over the accountability of Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District to local taxpayers.

In a letter to the editor in Monday's Daily News, Ms. Martin outlines her disappointment at the policy for public comment that Regional District recently employed on Friday, as the board conducted proceedings over the debate over recycling centre options and the subsequent reduction in service to the community.

Her impression of the state of local debate when it comes to Regional District is that for the most part the concerns of those citizens with any opinions on the issues is for the most part disregarded, with locally elected members on the board not conveying those concerns voiced by taxpayers.

In a closing shot that will resonate with a good number of residents that are concerned about the mysterious ways of the Regional District system, she advises residents to check their property tax notice, especially the portion of which is dedicated to Regional District, a dedicated  financial contribution that she suggests is made without a voice in policy or operation.

It's the kind of talking point that could make for an uncomfortable feeling around the SQCRD discussion table, as local residents continue to seek out a bit more information about a level of government that seems to court controversy on a regular basis.

It's a level of government that few Rupertites seem to know much about,  and one that more than a few residents feel isn't particularly accountable to the taxpayer at the moment.

The full text of her letter can be found below.

Letter to the Editor
Prince Rupert Daily News 
Monday June 21, 2010
Page 4

SQCRD out of control... 


To the Editor, 


The Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District Board is out of control and unaccountable to taxpayers.


For example, item 8.3 in the agenda for board meeting, Friday, June 18th. To quote, this policy is presented to fill the immediate need of the board for procedure in guiding the public question period.


Also in item 8.3, the public question period, will be limited to brief questions only and will commence at the end of the meeting after motions have been presented and the agenda is completed.


I have noted that our elected members on this board are not conveying the concerns voiced by our taxpayers with regard to reductions in service at Regional Recycling. 


Now, with adoption of item 8.3 on Friday June 18th public opinion will be totally disregarded. 


Check your property tax notice re: the amount you contribute to the local Regional District without a voice in policy or operations. -


Jean Martin


Most recently on the blog we tapped into a recent Queen Charlotte Islands Observer article, which took a look at some of the issues of the SQCRD, which continues to face financial concerns as it tries to come to terms with its budgetary challenges.

The Big Fish doesn't always get to rule the tank

He may be the mayor of the largest municipality in the Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District, but when the votes came in, Mayor Mussallem was on the outside as Barry Pages was once again selected as the chair of the regional district, his second term in that office.

Pages was elected to return to his post at the December 19th meeting, which saw both Mussallem and Area A representative Des Nobels come up short when the voting was done.

All three candidates for the position made their presentations to the Regional District forum, but Mussallem's quest to have his past experience and Prince Rupert's geographic location work in his favour didn't quite come to pass.

The full report on the activities at the December 19 meeting could be found in the New Year's Eve edition of the Daily News.

Mussallem edged out in race for district role
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Pages one and two

Barry Pages was voted in for a second term as chair for the regional district during the organization's first meeting of the new term on Dec. 19.

The Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District's initial meeting of the new session was like many government bodies after an election, with a mixture of the old and new.

The most significant parcel of news from the meeting was the naming of the new chair and vice-chair.

Three candidates were nominated, with two being mayors. Masset Mayor Barry Pages along with Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem were placed in front of the board, both having sat in the chair's role before, along with Area ‘A’ representative Des Nobels who threw his hat in the ring. All three made their case for the seat.

"In the three years I have been chair, the regional district has come a long way and I would like to keep it going," said Pages.

Mussallem reiterated his 19 years of local government experience, part of that, of course, sitting as the regional district chair. He also made his case based on geography, believing the short distance between city hall and the district office would make things easier for representation.

"We need a regional chair who can be here when senior levels of government visit, making it easier to meet face-to-face.

"It is expected that the chair will always be around for meetings," said Mussallem.

In the end, board members voted in narrowly in favour of Pages, giving him four votes to the three handed to both Mussallem and Nobels.

Mussallem was then voted in as vice-chair in vote over Nobels.

As for replacing former Prince Rupert city councillor Tony Briglio in the chair of the Northwest Regional Hospital District board, Pages was also given the nod over new SQCRD member Nelson Kinney, who was then acclaimed as the vice-chair.

The SQCRD will next meet on Jan. 16.

No one said that participatory democracy was going to be easy!

Perhaps they might want to change the vision statement of Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District from "Serving the North coast"... to ... "Self serve on the North coast".

Residents outside of the city of Prince Rupert who may wish to seek higher office in upcoming SQCRD elections will either have to come to Rupert to pick up their nomination papers, or hope that the mail service between Rupert and points outlying is up to the challenge of democracy.

In what will most likely once again raise suspicions about the balance and accommodation between Rupert and its member communities, those seeking out the nomination papers can apparently bid to represent the Charlotte's they just can't pick up their papers there.

The reason it seems is that the nomination package runs between 20 and 30 pages and is not faxable, which leads to the question of why one copy hasn't just been sent over to the Charlotte's, where we assume there are photo copy machines. It would seem that having the original copy used as the template for notarized copies for those seeking office, would be an acceptable solution to the problem one would think.

Sometimes perhaps, we seem to make the bureaucracy just a little too hard to overcome...

The Queen Charlotte Islands Observer had the details on the challenges ahead for those that feel the call of democracy.

Regional District nomination papers available only in Rupert

Queen Charlotte Islands Observer

September 15, 2008

Nomination papers for people interesting in running for election to the regional district are only available in Prince Rupert at the moment, says administrator John Holland.Mr. Holland said he might be able to distribute nomination papers through the municipal offices here on the islands, but it's not clear whether this will be possible. The best way for potential candidates from the islands to get the papers is to call the regional district office at 624-2002 and ask to have them mailed.

At 20 to 30 pages long, the nomination package is not faxable, he said.Islanders can request nomination papers anytime between now and Oct. 10, he said. The completed papers must be submitted to the regional district office between Sept. 30 and Oct. 10.
Elections, if required, will be held Nov. 15.

There are two seats on the islands up for election: Area D (rural Graham Island including Old Massett, Tow Hill Road, Nadu Road, Tlell, Lawnhill, Miller Creek, and Skidegate) and Area E (all of Moresby Island).

You do not have to be a resident of the area in order to run for election, but you do have to be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and have lived in BC for the past six months.The three municipalities on the islands and the Haida Gwaii school board will also hold elections Nov. 15. The nomination deadline for these positions is Oct. 10, the same as the regional district.

A costly place to hang your hat

Problems with last years Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District budget are coming home to roost for residents of the Queen Charlottes.

Operating costs for the recycling centre and landfill on the Islands didn't match up with the budgeted amount, so in order to recoup those costs and make sure that they don't repeat them this year, some residents of the Charlottes will be seeing their taxes increase.

Of all the communities on the Charlottes Masset and Port Clements will see the largest of increases, with the tax bill request for Masset going up $9,311 overall in that community, while Port Clements will be asked for an additional $1,906.

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Most others will stay the same or decrease slightly, Prince Rupert in the meantime will see a reduction on the amount of money requested by SQCRD, with a $107,918 decrease from the last bill received.

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In addition to the recylcing burden, there are other costs associated with living on the Charlottes that are becoming irritants to the people that live there, especially the proposed carbon tax, which an isolated area such as the Charlottes is particularly concerned about.

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The Daily News featured details on the Regional District financials with two stories in Wednesday's paper.

Recycling drives up the cost of living on Islands
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Pages one and five

The Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District (SQCRD) will be asking most of its taxpayers to pay the same taxes or less than they did last year, with the exception of Port Clements and Masset.

John Holland, Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District administrator, presented the regional district's budget on Friday, and explained that the tax increase for those two communities comes in part from the need to cover the cost of the Queen Charlotte Islands landfill and in part because of an increase in assessed values in land.

Last year, the district overran the cost of operating the Queen Charlotte Islands landfill and recycling centre by $267,851. In short, they budgeted for $684,574 and spent $889,345 on the operation.

This year, they not only need to recoup some of those funds, but also plan not to have a shortfall this year.

"We miscalculated by a couple of thousand miles on that," said Tony Briglio, director for Prince Rupert.

"Last year, we had problems with the budget and we are paying for it this year. We do bear responsibility for it," said Des Nobels, director for Area A.

Specifically, recycling on the islands costs a significant amount and does not generate revenue, which it does on the mainland, but directors agreed people feel strongly that they want that service.

The district will, however, be looking at how it can reduce the cost associated with shipping recyclable materials through B.C. Ferries, which is currently $25,000.

"In order to maintain status quo, what would recover the money within the next three years, we would go back to fees of $22 and raise tax requisitions," said Carol Kulesha, Queen Charlotte.
The amount of revenue the SQCRD plans to generate for landfill and recycling operations has risen from $580,713 to $830,610 in 2008 and $102,077 will go to paying down the cost overrun from last year.

In order to do this, they will be increasing the monthly cost of garbage service on the islands by $4 per month, from $18 to $22, as well as no longer allowing people to opt out from garbage service when they are off island for several months at a time.

The amount is the SQCRD is asking from Skidegate and Old Massett First Nations for more to cover the cost of the landfill. Skidegate's bill is increasing from $57,762 to $93,450 and Old Massett from $55.050 to $76,560.

"At the moment, the only word I have had is that Skidegate does not like the increase," said Holland.

Overall, the SQCRD will be asking taxpayers for $882,722 in taxes, down from $1,001,494 in 2007.

In Masset, the tax requisition has increased from $47,628 in 2007 to $56,939 in 2008, an increase of $9,311, while in Port Clements, the tax requisition has increased from $21,660 to $23,566, an increase of $1,906 in 2008. Everyone else's drops or stays the same, with the largest decrease coming for Prince Rupert, whose requisition went down from $424,881 to $316,963, a decrease of $107,918.

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Islands residents fuming at expensive carbon tax
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Page 3

The province's 2.4 cent carbon tax is going to end up costing big dollars for residents of the Queen Charlotte Islands, says the Mayor of Masset.

Barry Pages has written Finance Minister Carole Taylor, pointing out the many flaws of setting up such a tax when areas like the Islands do not have access to electricity.

Taylor has been widely quoted as saying the province designed the new carbon-neutral tax because: "we believe we are giving back to people, whether you are in the North or in an urban centre, more dollars than, in fact, this tax will cost."

Pages said his council finds that difficult to imagine.

"As an isolated northern community, Masset has very limited options for reducing dependence on fossil fuels with no access to the mainland electrical grid or natural gas system. Homes and business have two choices for heat - oil and electricity, however all of our electricity is diesel-generated in the first place, so there is no environmental benefit and no cost benefit to switching to electricity," he said.

Oil already costs more on the islands, as does almost every commodity, because of shipping prices. Currently, the price of oil in Masset is $1.13 while in Prince Rupert it is $1.05.

"The proposed carbon tax will mean a direct increase to home heating costs of at least $55 a year and will rise to over $165 by 2012. Those costs do not take into consideration the compounding effect that will result from increased transportation costs to get the heating oil to the islands," he said.

"There is nothing that comes to these islands that will not be impacted by this carbon tax and that impact will be compounded several times over before products reach their final consumer."
For example, milk in Masset is currently $6.69 per gallon, up from $3.99 in Prince Rupert. With the new carbon tax, this cost differential will only increase.

In addition, the municipality will be forced to pass on the increased costs to community and user groups that use local facilities, punishing senior and youth groups.

"With oil heat, our only practical option, a carbon tax will increase our operating costs over $2,400 in the first year and more than $7,400 by 2012 ... " said Pages.

The carbon tax will hit islanders in every thing they do, even impacting the cost of accessing basic medical services off-island. Hence, they have some serious doubts when Taylor says this tax will actually put money back in their pockets.

"It is difficult to imagine ... " he said.

"We fear that continuing to add new taxes will further broaden the gulf between small isolated communities and the rest of the province and may lead us even closer to the collapse of small towns and their pioneering spirit which has been the mainstay of this province for the past 150 years."

Regional District goes Island hopping this weekend

The process of Regional Government moves to the Queen Charlottes this weekend, as the October meeting of the Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District takes place Friday night at the Howard Phillips community hall in Masset, the meeting is scheduled for a 7 pm start.

Board members will then spend the next two days attending a board development workshop on Saturday and Sunday.

With five directors of SQCRD hailing from the Charlottes, it is hoped that this is just the beginning of an increase in meetings taking place away from Prince Rupert.

The Queen Charlotte islands Observer featured details of the weekend gathering on its website today.

Regional district meets Friday in Masset
Queen Charlotte Islands Observer

Monday, October 15, 2007

The Skeena-Queen Charlotte regional district will be holding its October meeting in Masset, and chair Barry Pages says more meetings may be held on the islands in the future. The regional district meetings are usually held once a month in Prince Rupert.

Mr. Pages said that with five of the 10 directors from the Charlottes, it's actually just as convenient to hold the meetings here. "We're hoping to have more meetings on the islands," he said.

The board will hold its regular public meeting this Friday night (Oct. 19) at the Howard Phillips community hall starting at 7 pm. Directors will then be attending a "board development" workshop in Masset on Saturday and Sunday, Mr. Pages said.

Perhaps what they really need is a cat herder

Considering the nature of the member municipalities in wandering off in their own direction and with their own interests, the latest Chief Administrative Officer may be inclined to keep a shepherds staff close at hand.

The new CAO of the Regional District has settled nicely into his new offices having been on the job for a little over a month now. John Holland provided a thumb nail sketch of his duties for the Daily News last week, a brief outline of what he will be doing and what he hopes to achieve at the regional level of government in the North West.

The SQCRD has been a rather trouble plagued institution of late, finding itself in the headlines for personnel matters and large sum buyouts for a former employee who was terminated without cause.

Holland takes over from Tana Lee Hesse who left her interim post at Regional District to take on duties for Mayor Herb Pond at City Hall. She had taken over at Regional District after the very messy and very public termination of Janet Beil earlier in the year.

Holland most recently served as the CAO of Stewart and is looking forward to the challenges of his step up, judging by the varying interests of the member municipalities of the regional district; and the degree of suspicion around the place we would suspect that challenges will be coming his way.

NEW CAO TAKES REIGNS AT SQCRD
John Holland arrives from the city of Stewart
By Christian Webber
The Daily News
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Page three

The Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District’s new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) said his new job is a lot of work, but he likes living in Prince Rupert.

Formerly the CAO for the city of Stewart, John Holland has been in his new position since July 16.

He moved to Prince Rupert after a Canada-wide search by the local regional district office to find a new administrator.

Holland has an MBA and a lot of experience in municipal government. He had experience in Nunavut and the North West Territories working for municipal government.

He has also worked quite a bit with smaller First Nations communities.

After working for four years in Stewart, he said it was time to take a step up and it was time for a change.

Holland relieved Tana Lee Hesse from here interim position as CAO.

The district began seekng a new CAO after the board terminated former administrator Janet Beil without cause.

Holland said he expects the new position will be more of a challenge. Stewart was just one municipality and the regional district, encompasses many municipalities and areas, said Holland.

The ten member board includes five municipalities and five regional areas. It encompasses an area of 19,933 square kilometers, a land mass larger than some European countries.

“It’s broader in scope that the other, which is just one municipality,” said Holland.

Holland will be working on projects on the Queen Charlotte Islands and the Prince Rupert area.

He said among his responsibilities are controlling the financial situation of the district, working with the board and trying to execute plans and managing the day-to-day operations of the regional district.

As for living conditions, he said that compared with Stewart, there is a lot more activity here – more restaurants, hotels and people.

“I like the city, it is picking up and it’s nice place to live,” said Holland.

Holland said he is just starting to develop his plans and he isn’t a position to comment on the district’s future priorities.

Right now, he just needs to become familiar with what is going on and what the board’s priorities are.
However, he did say he “would like to see the district operating more efficiently and effectively.”

They followed the money at Regional District

The Daily News updated its coverage of the happenings at Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District on Thursday, a governmental group which has taken on a rather unaccustomed high profile of late in the local community.

The Daily picks up the story from a recent examination of the finances at the office, an examination that has determined that there was no fraudulent activities conducted there and therefore no need for a costly forensic audit to be conducted.

Those decisions and a look at the inside workings of the financial side of the Regional District appeared in Thursday’s paper.

FRAUD RULED OUT IN PROBE OF BOOKS
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Page one

Despite the suspicions of some local politicians, there was no fraudulent activity or reckless spending at the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District (SQRD) in the past three years, according to expert auditors.

Hence, there’s no need to spend thousands of dollars on a forensic audit.

The board hired BDO Dunwoody to look at the district’s finances earlier this year because some district directors felt things “things were not right.”

“We did not find any indication of fraudulent activity or reckless spending,” said Bill Cox, BDO Dunwoody, in his recent report to the SQCRD.

The 2007 SQCRD budget was rushed through earlier this year. District staff were left scrambling because of the board’s decision to terminate its administrator Janet Beil, without cause. (Beil will be paid $123,924 in severance plus benefits until September 20, 2008.)

However, directors questioned the budget numbers and the only area of the budget the board could agree on was that they needed to hire someone to conduct a forensic audit.

Cox, who spent two days going over the books with computer auditing software and interviewing staff, disagreed. Instead, he made numerous recommendations to improve accounting procedures and plan for the future, including telling directors it was time to start playing nice.

“Discussions and lively debate on issues is healthy during board meetings. However, it is important that once a decision is democratically made that all members of the board work to implement it as effectively as possible,” said Cox.

The auditor also put to bed an issue that has been causing consternation at the board level for several months – who should have cheque-signing authority.

Earlier this year, three board members challenged the minutes of a meeting that were written up by board chair Barry Pages, alleging he had altered the minutes to change who controls the taxpayers’ money.

The meting minutes were originally taken by Beil, who was then terminated, and the notes written up by Pages.

Ian Hetman (Rural Graham Island), Karl Bergman (Oona River), and Des Nobels (Dodge Cove. Port Simpson) said Pages had altered a motion that when monies need to be spent “the administrator seek signatures of the chair and vice-chair prior to other signing authorities.”

Previously, four directors including the chair, vice-chair Tony Briglio, two directors Christine MacKenzie and Des Nobels as well as the administrator could all act as signatories for financial transactions.

This motion meant the four directors and administrator were no longer to be equal but that the signatures of the chair and vice chair would be preferred if they were available.

However, the other six board members disagreed, supporting Pages and the new process made it official.

Cox, however, recommended a totally different method where as many board members as possible be included in a rotation of cheque signing duties. This way, each board members has the opportunity to review expenses at some point during the year.

Regional District selects a new leader

The selection of John Holland as the new Chief Administrative Officer for the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District was examined by the Daily News in Tuesday’s edition.

The article also examined some of the outstanding issues of the Regional Government office, including the controversial termination of Janet Beil and increases to their budget to take care of the severance due and for the new workload of the new Administrator and a soon to be hired Operations Manager.

DISTRICT’S NEW CAO LONG ON EXPERIENCE
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Page one

The Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District has hired the former Chief Administrative Officer from the City of Stewart to take the over at the local regional district office.

Barry Pages, chair of the regional district board, said that after a Canada-wide search, the board hired John Holland as the new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District.

“He’s got a lot of experience in municipal government and worked quite a few years in Stewart,” said Pages. “Previous to that, he had experience in Nunavut and the North West Territories working for the municipal government as well as working quite a bit with smaller First Nations communities.”

Holland has an MBA from York University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia.

Holland and his family will relocate to Prince Rupert and he will commence his duties with the Regional District on July 16.

According to the job posting, the salary range for a Chief Administrative Officer will be in the $80,000 to $90,000 per year range and “commensurate with qualifications.”

The regional district is also expected to hire an operations manager. However, Pages said the district is yet to post this position because it was waiting for the new CAO to arrive.

“We wanted to see what qualifications would fit in best with Mr. Holland.”

The district previously posted for the position but was unable to find a qualified candidate.

Tana Lee Hesse has been filling in as the interim CAO and will remain with the regional district until July 13.

The district began seeking a new CAO after it terminated former administrator / planner Janet Beil in what was a controversial decision that split the board. Three directors out of 10 voted against Beil’s termination.

The board has budgeted for the termination which was ‘without cause’ and will result in Beil receiving severance for her 19 years with the regional district. The severance comes for a reserve fund set aside for such instances.

The district included the cost of the new staff in this year’s budget.

Projected audit and legal expenses are expected to increase $87,000 in 2007 (up from 13,067 to $100, 000,) plus an increase in salaries of $100,000 for the new position (from $196,145 in 2006 to $300,000) with staff benefits also doubling (from $26,000 to $54,000.)

The amount of money the district requisitioned from member municipalities – including Prince Rupert, Port Edward, Masset, Port Clements and the village of Queen Charlotte – is up from $180,000 to $266,978. These municipalities in turn ask taxpayers to foot this bill, $86,000.

Review of Regional District operating practices complete

The Queen Charlotte Observer continues its good work on the Regional District file, posting on its website a story on a recent review of the accounting practices at that suddenly controversial governmental body.

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Their latest story details some of the findings of that accounting review as well as a couple of cryptic comments from the investigating auditors about the still percolating issue of Janet Beils dismissal from the Regional District offices.

All of this attention certainly leads one to wonder just what is going on with that level of government and if perhaps more public answers are needed from those that are spending public funds. There seem to be far too many unanswered questions about the dealings from Regional District and maybe the taxpayers should be asking for a complete and public review of the way it conducts its business.

By far the Observer is one news gathering organization in the area that at least seems to be on the ball on this issue. And while the bulk of their work focuses on developments on the islands, they still raise issues that all on the North coast should be concerned about.

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They have been providing some interesting articles on the developments at RD over the last six months or so and help to keep some form of light on a governmental level that seems to slip under the radar quite a bit.

The latest from their website is provided below.

Accounting review completed at regional district

The Queen Charlotte Observer

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

An accounting firm hired by the regional district has recommended that the board take several steps to improve financial controls, but say they found no evidence of any wrongdoing or fraud during a two-day investigation. The board hired BDO Dunwoody, a Vancouver firm of chartered accountants, to conduct a financial review of certain operations, and to recommend whether or not a forensic audit was needed.

Board members voted in March to have a forensic audit done, shortly after voting to terminate the employment of administrator Janet Beil. In a letter to the board last month, BDO Dunwoody partner Bill Cox wrote that the company conducted a two-day onsite review at the Prince Rupert office, with subsequent follow-up and discussions, focusing on the financial operations of the regional district between 2004 and 2007.

"We did not find any indication of fraudulent activity or reckless spending," Mr. Cox wrote. "

Our procedures were very high-level and were not designed to be able to provide an opinion as to the existence of fraud. However, given the existence of budgetary controls, board oversight, and other factors; it is reasonable to conclude that the likelihood of the existence of a material fraud having occurred in the 2004 to 2007 period is low."

The work done by BDO was a financial review, not a forensic audit, and Mr. Cox said that in their opinion a forensic audit is not needed. Instead, he wrote, regional district directors should improve governance, hire the right staff and start planning for the future. The nine-page BDO report lists several recommendations, including hiring a full-time, experienced administrator (which the board has just done) and an experienced financial officer (although it notes that the regional district's auditors do not believe a senior financial position is required).

As well, the board needs to make long-term financial plans, and the report pointed to the islands landfill as a particular source of concern. "We found no evidence of any long-term financial planning," Mr. Cox wrote. "A good example is the landfill operation which is expected to have significant closure and post-closure costs occurring within the next few years. Yet garbage pick-up rates have remained flat for years. There is a small reserve available, but we were unable to determine how the regional district intends to fund the closure and post-closure costs."

Additionally, billing for garbage pickup on the islands is creating too much administrative work. Some of the extra work is caused by residents starting and stopping their pick-up and expecting their bills to be adjusted. BDO recommended that the regional district consider whether stopping and starting garbage service should be allowed.

Another concern raised in the report is Ms Beil's settlement agreement. "We did not have the opportunity to view this first hand while on site, but several of our interviewees mentioned that the former administrator may not be fully abiding by a requirement of the settlement agreement that she not publicly discuss her removal from the position or the events leading up to it," the report says.

"We feel that it will be very difficult to quickly bring about the governance improvements that are necessary should this continue. We suggest that she be reminded of her responsibilities under the agreement. This is a complex legal area though and we strongly recommend that you take no action here until you first discuss with your solicitors."

created June 26, 2007 12:58 PM

Regional District hires an administrator

The Queen Charlotte Islands Observer is reporting that the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District has hired a new administrator.

The new administrator is John Holland, who will replace the former administrator Janet Beil who was terminated back in February. The handling of her termination after 19 years of service, has become a bit of a scandal at the Regional District, with many local residents weighing in over the issue and the inner workings of the Regional District members.

It's a situation that still has left a bad taste in the mouth of many residents and could result in a hefty severance pay out by Regional District.

As for the new administrator Mr. Holland; according to the Observer his most recent position was that of the chief administrative officer for the District of Stewart. An interesting turn of events that may raise a few eyebrows, considering the increased interest that the usually unknown District Council has received of late.

His resume includes many years of experience in both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories as well. He takes up his duties in the Lion's den of Regional District on July 16th.

Regional District hires new administrator
Queen Charlotte Islands Observer
Monday, June 25, 2007

The Skeena-Queen Charlotte regional district is getting a new administrator. Masset mayor Barry Pages, the chair of the regional district, announced this week that the board has hired John Holland to fill the position.

Mr. Holland was the chief administrative officer for the District of Stewart and has many years of local government experience in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, Mr. Pages said. He has an MBA from York University and a Bachelor of Science degree from UBC. Mr. Holland and his family will be moving to Prince Rupert and he will start his new job at the regional district on July 16.

The position became empty in February when the regional district board voted to terminate its previous administrator Janet Beil without cause. Ms Beil had worked for the regional district for 19 years.

Mistrust and dysfunction continues at Regional District

The acrid atmosphere at Regional District doesn’t seem to be improving much as time goes by; the latest bit of in fighting around the table finds some of the directors claiming that they are being left out of decisions that impact on the workings of the government body.

The latest happenings certainly lead one to wonder if any of the current members have read their own title page to their website which talks about cooperation and service to the North Coast! Perhaps it's time for a new mission statement to reflect the current sense of confusion at the organization.

The last few months at Regional District have been rather testy and chaotic, a long time employee was apparently terminated, a new administrator is apparently soon to be hired and yet a few of the directors suggest that they are being kept in the dark on developments.

It’s an apparent ongoing power struggle, which is pitting rural and urban directors in a nasty bit of public bantering, that isn’t doing much to secure the organizations reputation as a viable forum for debate, let alone one which should have spending authority.

The entire process is coming across as far too secretive and just a tad dysfunctional, which should send alarm bells ringing for those of us who pay the taxes that keep the organization up and running.

Maybe it’s about time that the festering issues of the past and the plans for the future were given a complete public and transparent hearing, allowing residents of the Northwest to get a better handle as to just what is going on at an organization that many of us know nothing about.

The Daily News provided some of the pieces to the continuing puzzle in a front page story in Thursday’s paper.

DISTRICT DIRECTORS CLAIM THEY HAVE BEEN ‘LEFT OUT’
Some politicians complaining that they are being left out of ‘the loop’
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
April 26, 2007
Pages one and three

In another sing of the level of mistrust festering between the regional district board members, director Ian Hetman alleged some members of the board have been totally cut out of the process of changing administrations.

At Friday night’s meeting, Hetman said he had tried to find out where the board was with negotiations in the process of terminating its former administrator Janet Beil by contacting the district’s lawyer, chair and vice chair but he said he could not get any information.

“We are coming up to the point where we are going to hire an administrator and that administrator is going to be my administrator and I want to be completely in the loop,” said Hetman. “I want to be involved with seeing who applies, who’s on the short list and who is doing the interviews. I don’t want to be left out anymore.”

The board began the process of dismissing Beil, who had been with the regional district for the past 19 years, three months ago.

Hetman was one of three directors who reportedly opposed the dismissal of Beil during the in camera meetings. The other directors who opposed the dismissal are thought to be Des Nobels and Karl Bergman.

Bergman also expressed his concern about being left out of the loop.

“I remember about a year ago at big (strategic planning) sessions where we all got together and agreed we were going to tell all our secrets and it seems to be the same problem these days, I did not know what was going on,” said Bergman. “When I am asked, what am supposed to tell people? I have no idea.”

However, vice chair Tony Briglio said there was no reason for concern because no one on the board had seen the names of those who had applied and they would be choosing the short list for a new Chief Administrative Officer during an in-camera meeting.

As for dealing with the solicitor, Briglio noted that the board had passed a motion that only the chair Barry Pages was authorized to deal with the solicitor.

“If we are going to go that way, then the chair needs to advise us,’ said Hetman.

“And he will do that tonight”, said Briglio.

“Things have been going on since more than the last week and the last meeting and we haven’t been in the loop at all,” said Hetman.

“Then what is it that you believe is going on, because that would suggest you know something that I don’t,” said Briglio.

“For example, what proposals have been going back and forth about Ms. Beil. We talked at one meeting about what the proposal would be and I haven’t heard anything since,” said Hetman.

At this point, director Carol Kulesha pointed out they were moving into personnel issues, issues that are supposed to take place in-camera.

However, Briglio said this was a discussion about process and as such should be carried out in public.

“I think you‘ll find during the discussions at the in-camera session that the specifics of what you may think are the facts or what others may be telling you are the facts aren’t necessarily the facts. Give us the opportunity to have that in-camera session and I for one think you’ll be quite comfortable,” said Briglio.

“I understand what Mr. Hetman is saying and Mr. Hetman will be in the process just like every other board member will be in the process,” said chair Barry Pages. “We will be dealing with it in camera Mr. Hetman and you will be part of the decision and part of the process, just like every other board member will be a part of it.”

Regional District woes could leave Rupertites a little light in the pocket book and more than a little bit concerned about government

The little understood and frequently ignored Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District may soon find that curious Rupertites will be keeping a more watchful eye on its happenings and its budgetary requests.

With the termination of a nineteen year employee recently, Regional District has found itself in the midst of a bit of a political hurricane, with severance due to the terminated employee and a rather serious split of the voting members of the District not to mention a rather poorly timed request for more money.

The entire process has been under the microscope at the Queen Charlotte Islands Observer and at the local website princerupert.com, which has waded in with a number of articles on the state of affairs at Regional District.

The Daily News gathered up some interesting information of its own on the story for Wednesday’s paper including details of the request for an additional 243,007 dollars from the taxpayers, as well as the current status of personnel matters at the District offices and the plans for a couple of high paying jobs to come.

A rather nice option for a form of government that few have dealings with on a daily basis, and probably couldn’t explain what it is that they do anyways.

More importantly it sheds a light on a form of government locally that seems to do much of its work whether by public ignorance or by design, behind closed doors and out of any public debate.

Which begs the question; Do we really need a Regional District? Perhaps suspending this form of the governmental process would send a message to Victoria about how dire finances are up here for the moment.

Rupertites must surley wonder just what kind of blank cheque is expected from the increasingly siphoned off Prince Rupert taxpayer base?

Most of all we have to wonder if any of these latest developments are gooing to be able to pass the smell test?

TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK AS OFFICIAL 'RELIEVED OF DUTIES'
The Daily News
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Page one

For the first time Friday night, directors of the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District admitted they are in the process of terminating Janet Beil, administrator-planner and employee of 19 years.

Director Tony Briglio brought up the issue during budget deliberations at the regional district’s regular public meeting in order to explain why the district will be asking taxpayers for an additional $243,000 in 2007.

“When there is an administrative individual that gets relieved of duties there’s a cost to the organization for that. That’s what this budget represents,” said Briglio, director for the city of Prince Rupert and vice chair.

Given that it appears the district will pay Beil severance, the termination would likely be considered ‘without cause’. However, the cost of that severance has not yet been released.
Work at the regional district has been choppy since Beil was suspended a month and a half ago in what appears to have been a decision that split the board.

Des Nobels, Ian Hetman and Karl Bergman all were rumoured to have opposed the suspension.
Beil’s signing authority for financial transactions was removed at the last regional district meeting a month ago.

Board members have been trying to keep the decision behind closed doors.

Previously, when asked directly by the Daily News if she had been suspended, board chair Barry Pages said Beil was “off sick” and “out of the office”. Yet, he reportedly told the Queen Charlotte Island Observer she had been suspended and then reinstated.

Now, Pages says they have posted for a new position, Chief Administrative Officer, and an ad was posted last Friday.

Since then, Tana Lee Hesse has been appointed as interim administrator. Previously, Hesse filled in as interim corporate administrator for the city of Prince Rupert following the departure of Tom Ireland. She moved to Prince Rupert with her husband, Prince Rupert’s chief administrative officer, Gord Howie.

According to the job positing, the salary range for a Chief Administrative Officer would be in the $80,000 to $90,000 per year range and would be “commensurate with qualifications”.
Pages noted the regional district is also seeking an manager of operations.

The district previously posted for the position but was unable to find a qualified candidate.
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To the well, to the well, to the well once more!

Prince Rupert residents must be wondering if their local politicians will ever stop coming up to them asking for even more money than they already provide.

Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District is seeking more money from a shrinking taxpayer base, after approving a five year financial plan at a rather combative Friday meeting.

The plan was approved despite the uncertainties expressed by three of the district councilors, who questioned some of the financial figures that were being used to develop the plan.

The heated meeting included an interjection from Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond, who was participating in the Friday evening meeting by teleconference. Pond expressed his outrage at the questioning of the accuracy of the figures by declaring those accusations are baseless and spurious allegations.

The Daily News featured a review of the Friday night fireworks and a bit of background on the controversial issues in the Wednesday paper.



SOME DIRECTORS QUESTION DISTRICT'S NEW BUDGET
The Daily News
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Page Three

The Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District will spend an additional $243,000 in 2007 terminating its administrator/planner and hiring new staff — and it looks like it will be asking tax payers to foot the bill.

At Friday night’s meeting, SQCRD board members approved a five-year financial plan that sees the budget balloon from $587,964 in 2006 to a projected $831,757 in 2007.

“We have kept this budget equal to last year with no increases except in areas of administrative cost going up,” said Tony Briglio, director for the city of Prince Rupert and vice chair.

Projected audit and legal expenses are expected to increase $87,000 in 2007 (up from $13,067 to $100,000,) plus an increase in salaries of $100,000 due to the termination of Beil who was doing three jobs (from $196,145 in 2006 to $300,000) with staff benefits also doubling (from $26,000 to $54,000.)

The amount of money it will be requisitioning from member municipalities — including Prince Rupert, Port Edward, Masset, Port Clements and the village of Queen Charlotte — is up from $180,000 to $266,978. These municipalities in turn will be asking their taxpayers to foot this bill.

Other oddities in the budget included an anticipated $244,000 grant in lieu of taxes listed in the 2007 budget that did not exist in 2006 that was used to balance the numbers.

Three directors refused to support the budget. They were Des Nobels, Ian Hetman and Karl Bergman.

“I tried and tried and tried to understand this budget and I can’t see anyone being comfortable with this,” said Karl Bergman.

“There are nothing but questions.”

Nobels said he believes the budget will increase taxes for his constituents, yet they were not able to have comment on it.

The draft budget was passed out to members of the public in attendance at the meeting just prior to the public comment period.

He added that he believes the budget will eat into the district’s reserves. In the past, he said, the district has passed balanced budgets that either maintained or lowered the requisition from taxpayers. However, in this year’s budget that is not the case.

Janet Beil, former administrator planner at the Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District, took a look at the figures during that period and described them as “totally inaccurate”.

After pointing out what she believed were glaring inaccuracies between 2006 and 2007 figures, she questioned how they could do this to the taxpayers.

“I am just wondering how small municipalities are going to pay for this budget, especially municipalities that have lost assessment value,” she said.

However Carol Kulesha, representing the Village of Queen Charlotte, said they were following the provincial process and had only had a very short time to put together the budget.
“Is everything perfect? No. Things are difficult when you are in the midst of revamping things. Nevertheless, we have followed the process of the ministry,” said Kulesha. She added that the numbers are based on those provided to them by auditors. The regional district will be having auditors do an even more in depth analysis in the coming year.

Allegations that the figures were inaccurate seemed to infuriate director Herb Pond, city of Prince Rupert, who participated in the meeting by teleconference.

“These are baseless and spurious allegations. They are not identifying any single truth but laying general statements to which they have never once in our process, which has been extensive, objected,” said Pond.

“The broad statements that cast aspersions on the best work that could be done under the circumstances should be stopped.”

At this point, chair Barry Pages ended the conversation and the budget was adopted with the three members opposed.

Non confidence in affairs at Regional District breaks out into open

The ongoing troubles at Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District, long documented on various websites and local newspapers, have broken out into open dispute.

With one-third of the regional district’s board making it clear at last Friday night’s meeting that they no longer have confidence in the chair Barry Pages, another element of intrigue has begun to swirl around the embattled organization.

The latest developments add yet another fascinating chapter in one of the more tempestuous of local government operations.

Background details of the controversy were provided the Wednesday edition of The Daily News.

REGIONAL DISTRICT ROWS OVER RECORD OF MEETINTG
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Page one

One-third of the regional district’s board made it clear at Friday night’s meeting that they no longer have confidence in chair Barry Pages.

Ian Hetman (Rural Graham Island), Karl Bergman (Oona River), and Des Nobels (Dodge Cove/Port Simpson), all voted in favour of a non-confidence motion in Pages, mayor of Masset, following allegations that Pages had changed the official record of the last board meeting to alter who controls the taxpayers’ money as well as the alleged suspension of the regional district’s administrator last month.

“In light of the way things are in the present and in the light of some of the things that have happened at this board, I would like to bring forward a motion of non-confidence in the chair,” said Nobels.

The public meeting, which took place behind locked front doors, included the presence of the regional district’s lawyer.

It started when Nobels pointed to “alterations and significant discrepancies” in the minutes of the January meeting, particularly a motion that when monies need to be spent “the Administrator seek signatures of the Chair and Vice-Chair prior to other signing authorities.”
Despite the fact that the minutes of this meeting were taken by administrator Janet Beil, they were typed up by Pages.

Nobels noted that while the issue of who could act as a signatory was discussed at the meeting, it was never adopted as a motion.

“This [the minutes] shows it as a motion,” said Nobels.

Previously, four directors including the chair, vice-chair Tony Briglio, two directors Christine MacKenzie and Des Nobels as well as the administrator could all act as signatories for financial transactions.

This motion means the four directors and administrator will no longer be equal but require the signatures of chair and vice chair if they are available.

However, Pages argued the motion included in the minutes was requested at the last meeting and he got the support of the other six board members to approve those minutes.

“It was moved and seconded that it be included in the minutes,” said Pages.

The approval of the minutes prompted Nobels to bring forward his motion of non-confidence.

“The way things have gone on around here in this last little bit it has been very awkward trying to decide what are and what are not the discussions that took place,” he said.

Curious happenings at Regional District

It’s a story that doesn’t seem to come with many public explanations, filed as it is under the title of confidential personnel issues. However, the latest controversy at Regional District has become a kind of who dunnit and why, for a number of Northwest observers.

Over the last week, Princerupert.com has been looking into the suspension situation whirling around Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District and its administrator Janet Beil. A situation that has also caught the attention of The Queen Charlotte Islands Observer which has been following up on the story, since it first came to light.

Matters that involve Regional District always have seemed to carry a bit of mystery and animosity, caught up in the tug and pull between the largest municipality Prince Rupert and the outlying areas, who seem to clash from time to time over just how the bureaucracy of the Regional governing structure should work.

It’s a scenario that has been replayed over and over again since the days of Peter Lester, though this is the first time in recent memory that the issues have become such a public issue.

The Observer had the latest details on the developments posted to their website today.

Regional District administrator reinstated
Queen Charlotte Islands Observer
February 14, 2007

The Skeena-Queen Charlotte regional district board has reinstated administrator Janet Beil, after suspending her last month. Chair Barry Pages, mayor of Masset, said the board voted to reinstate Ms Beil at a meeting on Feb. 6. However, she is now on sick leave and remains out of the Prince Rupert office where she has worked for the past 19 years.

Mr. Pages said no one replaced Ms Beil while she was suspended. He did not explain why the board suspended her, saying that personnel issues are usually confidential. The regional district decided last year to hire another administrator to help out Ms Beil, but that position remains unfilled. Mr. Pages said several candidates were interviewed and the job was offered to one, but that person declined at the last minute.

"We're looking at our next steps," he said. "We're still recruiting."

Ms Beil, reached at her Prince Rupert home, said her doctor advised her to take two weeks sick leave but she is looking forward to returning to work. "Do you know how hard it is sitting here and not having anything to do?" she asked. "It's breaking my heart. I just would like to go back to my job. I don't carry animosity."

Ms Beil said her phone has been ringing all day long since news of her suspension came out, with residents of Rupert and the islands calling to offer their support. "They know I have been dedicated to the regional district," she said. "My heart is with the taxpayers."

Normally at this time of year, Ms Beil would be preparing the regional district budget. The 2007 budget must be passed by March 31. The next public regional district meeting is Feb. 23 in Prince Rupert.