"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Monday 13 July 2015

WHO 'S RUNNING THE SHOW? WHY?

The When Heather was a student at St Joseph's, a small group of mothers volunteered to teach 
things like knitting,crocheting and sewing.  Things that used to be a teacher's function. 

Heather always participated and still has kind memories of the mothers.

As a mother with four children ,including Adam ,in school at the same time, she made herself  available wherever and whenever she was needed. 

Heather and Andy both participated in fund-raising for the things the school board did not provide.

They acquired substantial skills. 

In the early years of personal computers, funds had to be raised to acquire them...one at a time.

A new school principal was appointed . It was her position since they were raised for school purposes , authority to decide how the funds would be used was hers and hers alone. 

Something was lost; the feeling that everyone was working together for the same objective. 

Ensuing tension soon ended . Fund-raising took a back seat. 

Women's Auxilliary was active in York County Hospital. They operated a gift shop ,organized volunteers and made daily rounds with items patients might like or need.

It was an important service in a trying situation. 

A  fund-raising garden party tea was organized once a year. 

The Auxilliary was allowed to have a member on the  Hospital Board. Permission had to be obtained  
from the Board to allow the Auxilliary to hold the tea.

I  thought that was odd . 

Whenever opportunity presents to ask participants  in walks and runs for various health causes, how they feel about how funds are disseminated, I ask. 

 I have found considerable concern that millions raised seem to make little difference in outcomes and there's little accountability to the people who actually work to raise the funds. In fact separate organizations have sprung up out of the resultant dissatisfaction. All under the radar of course.

I know nothing at all about management of the Hospital Foundation. 

I am inclined  however support an argument the Foundation should not be subject to the authority the Hospital Board. The two should be able to work together without issue. 

Considering phenomal coss,I've  always wondered why so little public interest in hospital management. I could stay in the Royal suite in the  Royal York and enjoy room service for less than it costs for a night's stay in a hospital. 

Who are these people on the  board?  Who are the members who elect them?

And who is it that deserves a pay cheque of nigh on half a million dollars a year with an expense account of a quarter of a million and a  pedestal perch from which to gaze down on lesser mortals?



10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know of only two on the board - the mayors of Aurora and Newmarket - who could be replaced of they lost their positions. An
Those would/could have been among those who voted to try to remove the head of the foundation, Neila, who has worked there for year and has oodles of supporters,

Anonymous said...

I had an aunt from Europe who came over here for a month long visit in 1996. She fell down a flight of stairs and had to be sent to emergency dept. in Richmond Hill. They kept her overnight for observation since she had some head injuries. That one day and night stay cost $3200.00! That was just for the overnight stay for the hospital bed.That did not include the CT scan, X-ray and ultra sound that was performed.

Anonymous said...

A lot will depend on whether or not the Hospital Board has the right to fire the Foundation leader. so far it appears that they tried to get the Foundation Board to do their dirty work. And hit an ethical wall of resistance.

Anonymous said...

The Board has done terrible damage to Southlake.
If Neila quits to remove herself as a cause for disent, they may think they have won.
But they will have lost throughout the community.
Not just within the hospital.

Anonymous said...

It really doesn't matter who is running the show. The Hospital has taken a serious hit.

Anonymous said...

What were they thinking ??????

Anonymous said...

They only think about money and of course who has control over it.

Anonymous said...


I am not a civil servant, just a simple hard-working taxpayer who pays both civil servants and politicians.

I would like to know the basis on which the federal finance minister recently dismissed the suggestion Canada was on the verge of a recession when statistics for the first four months of this year indicate the country is moving in that direction. Several leading economists have expressed their concern, as has the IMF.

And despite the Bank of Canada Governor expressing his oft repeated concern about a bubble in Canada's housing market, especially in Vancouver and Toronto, due in the main to low mortgage interest rates, he has today announced a cut in the central bank's prime rate from 0.75% to 0.50%, thereby reducing already low rates. TD bank cut its rate by 0.10%. The IMF has already commented on Canada's housing bubble several times.

The above two people are supposed to know what they are doing and it is generally understood that they work on behalf of Canada and Canadians.

Somehow I am starting to question their competence.

Anonymous said...

16:37- I have never governed my way of living by listening to all levels government and their "financial interpretation" of the economy. These numbers or %'s get manipulated everyday of the week by government and media. My grandfather who lived through both wars and the great depression once told me, "Spend your money like its a depression everyday, if you don't need it, don't buy it." My parents lived like that, and so do I. It works well for me.

Anonymous said...

16:37
and
10:50
It does look like we are heading into a shake-down period for all the theories.
But first,
We will have to listen to the pundits, politicians and personalities play the blame-game. It simply cannot be their fault.