The Hamiltonian subsequently sent the questions to both Mr. Charters and Werner Plessl. Upon receipt of the questions, Mr. Charters advised us that he will leave it to Mr. Plessl to respond, as we had sent the questions to Mr. Plessl as well. We have yet to hear directly from Mr. Pessl but we trust that he will be responding to our questions.
Due to the many suggestions we have been receiving in one form or another as to what questions to ask, we thought we'd share the questions we have sent. Here they are:
1. The Bay Observer published an article recently (which can be found here http://bayobserver.ca/2012/06/15/waterfront-trust-bookkeeping-raises-eyebrows/, which presents some disturbing assertions with respect to the manner in which the Hamilton Waterfront Trust is being run financially and otherwise. Our first question to you is a general one, which allows you room to say whatever you believe is pertinent, Upon review of this article, what are your observations/response to it? (please note- this general question is understood not to take the place of replies requested to the balance of the questions below)
2. Have all construction contracts been awarded through
a tendering process? If not, can you identify the contracts and the value of
those contracts?
3. Are staff positions on the Trust posted for
recruitment? Can you describe the process by which staff positions are
recruited? Have there been any exceptions and , if so, why?
4. Are members of the Trust provided with company
vehicles that are subsidized in any way, in whole or in part, including the cost
of gasoline or fuel, through taxpayer dollars? If so, how many vehicles and
what is the value of the subsidy?
5. Are expense accounts allowed to anyone on the Trust,
If so, what is the yearly allotment of those accounts and are they
audited?
6. What, if any, spot audits are done by your
accountants on transactions which generate cash?
7. A washroom that's price has been allegedly inflated
by $400,000.00 to allegedly offset a cost overrun. True or untrue? Please
explain.
8. Do you believe the Trust’s finances would withstand
a forensic audit and given the Bay Observer’s article , will you call for one
to, at the very minimum, clear the air and assure taxpayers that their dollars
are well spent?
9. Would you be willing to provide copies of the
minutes of all board meetings for publication on The Hamiltonian?
10. Is there anything else you would like Hamiltonians
to know about the Hamilton Waterfront Trust?
The Hamiltonian will post the responses verbatim, once received.
These are all excellent questions that deserve to be answered in full. Don't back away from this issue The Hamiltonian. You have the intelligence to ask great questions that noone else bothers to. I can't wait to hear the answers. BTW- has The Hamiltonian ever considered advertising? You folks are doing a great job and the rest of Hamilton should know. Maybe you should ask for donations for advertising. I would gladly contribute!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear the responses from Mr. Plessl!