Fraser funding questioned
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Updated: November 20, 2009 12:25 PM
Editor:
Several years ago, the government – wanting to save money – decided to encourage seniors to remain in their homes rather than move into assisted-living quarters.
They promised to provide support services to meet these needs.
Now, Fraser Health has advised they don’t have the money to support the Senior Support Services arm of Come Share Society, and closed them down.
This action has left the few trained people in seniors support management out of work. This, in turn, left volunteers who support these programs without technical guidance and professional backup resulting in over 900 seniors in this area alone, who depend on these services, to fend for themselves.
Not long ago we read in the paper that James Taylor pleaded guilty to absconding with funds from White Rock’s now-defunct Sea Festival Society, and is now being investigated after authorizing more than $250,000 in invoices during his tenure with Fraser Health.
The question begs to be asked, how come Fraser Health did not look into his past? Is Fraser Health going to pursue this issue and try to get the taxpayers’ funds back, so they can be used for the purpose in which they were intended?
If Fraser Health is one of B.C.’s “Top 55 Employers” – as was announced – why do they rape the taxpayers of their needs to cover their own pay increases?
Is it not their job to administer tax money to provide health services to the people of B.C.?
The various levels of government distribute funds according to the needs of the organizations. If Fraser Health cannot live within their budget, why aren’t they going back to the higher levels of government for additional funds? Could it be they are so inept in their financial management that they can’t justify a request for additional funds?
Why isn’t the provincial government demanding Fraser Health provide an accounting of these actions? Do the people of B.C. have to wait for the next election to clean out the dead-heads and get action on what appears to be questionable management?
Helen Cunningham, White Rock
