NDP calls for SWSDA audit... $1 million-plus unaccounted for

5jan2009: NDP calls for SWSDA audit... $1 million-plus unaccounted for...

Shelburne County MLA Sterling Belliveau called on the Office of the Auditor General on Monday for a full provincial independent audit of the South West Shore Regional Development Authority’s handling of the sale of the Sandy Point sound stage and the boys’ school.


“The residents of Shelburne have been calling for an audit for more than a year,” says Belliveau. “The questions being asked are not going to go away. Residents want, and deserve, to know that the money from these sales will be utilized within Shelburne County. It’s time for the Auditor General to step in and investigate this situation.”

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Lockeport Mayor Darian Huskilson, former SWSDA executive member and outspoken critic of some of the business practices of SWSDA, told SCT that, any politics aside, there has been considerable public interest in "getting to the bottom of a murky situation." Huskilson added, "the public has a right to have a full accounting of public monies."

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Hoping for the best with FOI (Cayman Islands)

Image via Wikipedia
Today's Editorial for January 5: Hoping for the best with FOI

Editor
Sunday 4th January, 2009 Posted: 16:54 CIT (21:54 GMT)


Today marks the first day we in the Cayman Islands can use the historic Freedom of Information Law.

In principle, FOI moves the Cayman Islands another step toward transparency in government, which is something most people in the public – and all of us in the media – would agree is a great thing.

However, before we start uncritically congratulating the government on a job well done, we must remember that any law is only as good as its interpretation, implementation and enforcement. Unfortunately, when it comes to the FOI Law, there are many ways the fine print of the law or uncooperative civil servants can mitigate its usefulness.

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NS Premier gave staff raises

Image via WikipediaPremier gave staff raises
Trio of senior employees got salary hikes of 9.7 to 15.7 per cent in 2008
By AMY SMITH Provincial Reporter
Sat. Jan 3 - 6:34 PM

Premier Rodney MacDonald gave substantial raises to senior staffers in his office last year, according to documents obtained by The Chronicle Herald.

Bob Chisholm, who has been Mr. MacDonald's chief of staff since he took over from Heather Foley-Melvin in 2006, got a 9.7 per cent raise when he signed a contract on Oct. 29. It brought his salary to $144,476.78, up from $131,613.82, and includes a 12-month severance. The contract is retroactive to June 25 and runs to next June 25.

Stephen Greene, the premier's deputy chief of staff, got a bump of 14.9 per cent, going to $137,920 from $120,000.

The contracts were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

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Freedom of Information Law set (Cayman Islands)

Freedom of Information Law set
Published on Sunday, January 4, 2009	Email To Friend Print Version
Carole Excell Freedom of Information (FOI) Coordinator Dan Duguay Auditor General Billy Adam Businessman By Tad Stoner tad@caymannetnews.com Pronouncing herself "ready to go", Freedom of Information (FOI) Coordinator Carole Excell – and 89 Information Managers throughout Government – on Monday morning will usher in the Cayman Islands first guarantee of public access to official records. First legislated on 31 August 2007, the long-awaited bill enables the public to seek information on any subject from any government entity, and obligates government to respond, usually within one month of the request. "It takes the member of the public acting on their rights to enforce their right to know," said Ms Excell. "It's up to people to make [the law] work. "It makes the Government more transparent and accountable. Members of the public have the right to access public records and it helps you make decisions. If you want to know how your country runs, you want to participate in that and you care about your country, you need access to information. It enables you to make informed decisions." ... FULL ARTICLE

What a title to start the new year: Dead rats, cockroaches and maggots found in hospitals

Image via WikipediaDead rats, cockroaches and maggots found in hospitals
By Patricia McDonagh
Friday January 02 2009

DEAD rats, maggots, mice and cockroaches have been found in more hospitals around the country, new internal reports show.

Fourteen more hospitals have admitted they experienced pest problems over the past seven years.

Last night there were calls for stricter sanctions on hospitals that do not maintain standards when it comes to controlling pests.

Previously this newspaper revealed how pest control companies were called in to tackle cockroach, ant and rodent infestations at 21 HSE and voluntary hospitals.

Additional reports reveal even more alarming incidents -- many detailing how rats and mice are stalking hospital corridors.

Incidents included a rat in the darkroom of an x-ray department, a mouse in the light fixture of an operating theatre, and a dead mouse in a cardiac investigations unit.

The details were obtained by a Freedom of Information request (FOI) which was sent out to all HSE and voluntary hospitals around the country.

Many voluntary hospitals refused to respond, but almost all of the HSE hospitals reported some type of infestation.

The scale of the problem will raise fresh concerns about the cleanliness of hospitals and the spread of disease to patients on the wards...

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What a great title to start the New Year!
Cheers, Greg