Charity Expose

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="044785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Speaking Out</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Speaking Out"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Speaking Out"><U><B><IMG SRC="03b0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="up" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>   </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>     </B><A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Library"><U><B><IMG SRC="02f0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="previous" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Speak Out"><U><B><IMG SRC="0300e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="next" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="045d2b03.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Charity Expose</I></div> <div> <B>Feb. 10, 2010</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>It's Time to Speak Out About Charity Scammers</B></div> <div>      In today's Packet, Doug Lewis is on his soapbox again in an effort to build Orillia's next council to his own vision once again. He has been going on telling people what type of person is suitable to run and win. I have been reading his rants about how in his eyes people who are involved with charity and service club organizations are the ones who deserve support. What a load of bunk. </div> <div>      Last year I wrote here about the treatment a single mother got when she tried to access the Barrie Food bank and was turned down flat.  <a href="HTMLobj-1870/Document1.pdf"><u>Food Bank Failed to Deliver</u> </a>  </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >I was then and remain incensed about what I found out after looking into this organization. I decided to follow up about our own Sharing Place here in Orillia. What is claimed to be a charity seems to be simply a way to create lucrative employment to the few insiders. Here in Orillia Don Evans Executive Director draws down a pay cheque of </FONT><B>$55,000</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > per year an increase of </FONT><B>$4,000 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >from 2008. There also seems to be an additional </FONT><B>$35,000</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > in expenses an increase of </FONT><B>$16,000</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > from the previous year. Rent also went up by over </FONT><B>10%</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > from 2008. Here is the Revenue Canada Financial Statement document for .  <a href="HTMLobj-1871/http___www.cra-arc.gc.ca_ebci_haip_srch_t3010form21sched6-eng.a.pdf"><u>Revenue Canada Statement 2009</u> </a>  and here is the one for  <a href="HTMLobj-1872/Revenue_Canada_Statement_2008.pdf"><u>Revenue_Canada_Statement_2008.pdf</u> </a>  It's simple to see that  expenses increased by  huge amounts. How can this be a charity when the lions share of revenues are never seen by or benefit the needy. Print these two documents and put them side by side. The increase in operating costs from 2008 to 2009 is obscene. One has to ask how there can be justification for an </FONT><B>84%</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > increase in </FONT><B>Total management and administration expenditures included in line 4950 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >from one year to the next? One has to ask how one can justify an </FONT><B>8%</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" > increase for </FONT><B>Salaries, wages, benefits, and honoraria </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >from one year to the next. Folks don't forget that until Don Evans came on the scene there was no Executive Director and no wages were paid. So who suffers in spite of people's generosity??? Disgraceful.</FONT></div> <bR> <div>      The next so called Charity I investigated is the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ORILLIA AND AREA</B></FONT></div> <div> To me this one is the most blatant misuse of the word Charity. In fact trying to figure out what these people do with all the money they collect and how it benefits the community is a real eye opener to the art of scamming. Here are two years of financial reports that were filed with Revenue Canada.</div> <div>  <a href="HTMLobj-1873/Revenue_Canada_Statement_2007.pdf"><u>Revenue_Canada_Statement_2007.pdf</u> </a>  and then here is  <a href="HTMLobj-1874/Revenue_Canada_Statement_2008.pdf"><u>Revenue_Canada_Statement_2008.pdf</u> </a>  Once more print them out and set them side by side. For 2007 </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Total expenditures before gifts to qualified donees  4950             </B></FONT><B>$119,331 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >This is how much it cost to give away </FONT><B>$28,252</B></div> <div> <B>Total gifts to qualified donees, excluding enduring property</B> <B>5050 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$28,252</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>Total expenditures (add lines 4950, 5050, 5060 and 5070) 5100    </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$147,583</B></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >With</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT>Total assets (add lines 4100 to 4170) <B>4200 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$1,300,139 </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >they managed to pay out a measly 2.1% to those in need. This my friends is an outrage. This is not a charity when it costs more than 4 times more money to give money away than is actually given away. This is a joke at best and should be investigated by the Bunko Squad. </FONT></div> <div> But let's continue and see how they did in 2008.</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Total expenditures before gifts to qualified donees  4950                 </B></FONT><B>$96,858 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >This is how much it cost to give away</FONT><B> $24,450</B></div> <div> <B>Total gifts to qualified donees, excluding enduring property</B> <B>5050 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$24,450</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>Total expenditures (add lines 4950, 5050, 5060 and 5070) 5100     </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$121,308</B></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >But wait a minute in 2008 they only have </FONT>Total assets of (add lines 4100 to 4170) <B>4200 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$1,136,121</B></FONT></div> <div> That is a drop of <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$160,018</B></FONT> in Assets from 2007 while giving away only a measly <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$24,450 </B></FONT>So where did the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$160,000</B></FONT> go?????</div> <div> Now here is a very good question for these people and especially Councillor Speers to answer. What the hell are you doing wanting this city to give these people our tax dollars?</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>With </B></FONT><B>Long-term investments</B> <B>4140 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$ 997,716</B></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >These clowns were only able to earn  a paltry </FONT><B>$ 20,737 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >That folks is only a mere </FONT><B>02%</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" > return. I could give Tarzan's Ape half that money and he would come back with a minimum </FONT><B>$30,000</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" > of return.</FONT></div> <div> Imagine my shock when Speers spoke up for this outfit at council claiming that they deserved to be given tax dollars because they were not receiving government money. Yea! right and pigs can fly. Speers was actually on the board of this disgraceful outfit and President to boot.</div> <div> 2006 Revenue from provincial/territorial governments <B>4550 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$17,500 </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>Donees Received  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$33,145</B></FONT></div> <div> 2005 Revenue from provincial/territorial governments <B>4550 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$42,500 </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>Donees Received  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$30,472</B></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >2004 </FONT>Total revenue from government                             <B>4570 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$48,000 </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>Donees Received  </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$10,886</B></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >2003 </FONT>Total revenue from government                             <B>4570 </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$41,000 </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B>Donees received</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>    $17,208</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> If you have been a donor to this outfit and you truly care for helping those in need and are not part of the board then I think you should be pissed. If you are on the board and have gone along with what I can only describe as a Scam then hang your head in shame. This is outrageous. The whole history of this so called Charity is the same. Revenue Canada should investigate as should the Attorney General or Justice Minister.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >On the  <A HREF="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/basicsearchresult-eng.action?s=+&k=orillia&p=1&b=true" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/"><U>Revenue Canada Charity Site</U></A> there are </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>75</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" > Charities listed with the word Orillia in their name. Of the 75, 22 have had their Charitable Status Revoked. That is a whopping </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>29%</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >. A few of the 22 were self revocations including the </FONT><B>ORILLIA AND DISTRICT ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING </B>that<B> </B>Doug Lewis wound down. You know the Charity Mrs Lewis was a director of and mysteriously had to be shutdown without any explanation. You know the Charity that our very own Councillor Joe Fecht was in charge of when the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>sh*t </B></FONT>hit the fan. The one where some very serious sexual harassment complaints were lodged against management. You know the Charity that made a settlement with one but possibly 2 women to the tune of up to <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$100,000's</B></FONT> of dollars in settlement to keep it quiet???? Those dollars were all <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>Charity Dollars</B></FONT> that was supposed to go for the benefit of the clients who are the most vulnerable in our society. The Charity Linda Lewis who as director and also a partner in the firm of <B>LEWIS DOWNEY TORNOSKY LASSALNE 77 COLDWATER ST. E</B>. the very firm who, in what I see as a huge  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>Conflict of Interest</B></FONT> landed the job of winding it down. The same firm who today holds the records for this Charity and guards the reasons for it's demise at their offices.</div> <div>      So Doug Lewis thinks that only people who run/involved with charities deserve to serve you on council or as mayor. Would that be all of them or just the ones that are legitimate charities???? No kidding folks check out the 75 charities and others you have names for located in Orillia and area. Why even the mayor's secretary is involved with one with the contact address given is City Hall. When I looked into that one there are no directors listed but Ms. Rabbitts is listed as the contact person at City Center. One needs to scratch ones head doesn't one????? Sorry folks to burst your bubble but the truth is the truth. We are governed by the Mob. The stench of this  town's corrupt elite reach's to the levels experienced in places like Kandahar. Only difference is no one as yet has been blown up?????? By the way councillors, you had better look into this request for taxpayers money from Speers and the Community Foundation. If you give them money you won't be able to say "<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>we didn't know</B></FONT>" like the mayor claimed with the Police Services Board or other councils claimed on the MURF site because now<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>you</B></FONT> know.</div> <div> jim tolnai</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>We Still Need a Forensic Audit</B></div> <div> <B>We Still Need a Judicial Inquiry</B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Audit the Library Project as Well </B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Impeach Mayor Ron Stevens</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Feb. 13, 2010</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Rolling Out the Propaganda, Misinformation</B></div> <div> <B>     </B>Looks to me like my exposing of the Community Foundation of Orillia for the Scam that it is, seems to have hit a whole bunch of nerves. Mostly the nerves belonging to the Scammers. In today's Packet a letter from Capt. Mark LaVerdiere Snowbird 8, lead solo has miraculously been received by the Packet Propaganda Machine. It seems that Mark was so taken by this Foundation he writes a letter, in which he praises the Orillia Foundation no less than 7 times. I guess we are to believe that Mark wrote this letter all on his own but had forgot to send it until now that the truth about the Community Foundation of Orillia has been revealed. Either that or the Packet has been holding this letter since last summer and had filed it away and forgotten about it? Lucky for all of us that we now know how much respect the Captain has for this organization. Wonder if he knows what this organization actually does with the money and how much they don't help our community and what it costs for the little they do?</div> <div>      Now before these people get a chance to accuse me of not respecting our military let me make something completely clear. I don't believe that Mark wrote that letter without help and much persuasion and misinformation. First it is clearly nothing more than Propaganda. Now I happen to know the honour code this small group of elite military men live by and not one of them would write such a letter if they knew just what this Foundation is actually doing. You see I may know more about such things than most in Orillia as our cousin Carl Shaver flew #7 for two years with the Snowbirds in 1984 and 85. Carl and all his former team mates are men of Honour and I don't think that the standards back then are any different today. I have spent many hours enjoying his and Vickie's company along with their children right here in Orillia in our home sharing meals and stays with us. Knowing the stuff Carl is made of I can only say that as a Snowbird Mark LaVerdiere has had to have been duped into agreeing to put his name to this letter.  <a href="HTMLobj-1875/Snowbired_Letter.pdf"><u>Snowbired_Letter.pdf</u> </a>  </div> <div>      The people involved with this Foundation should be ashamed of themselves to use a fine young man to try and screw over the people of Orillia. Does anyone actually believe that Mark LaVerdiere or any Snowbird would write such a letter praising the Orillia Foundation 7 times in a 6 Paragraph letter?? Is this how little credit these Foundation people give to Orillian's intelligence if they expect anyone to believe this letter???? Anyone want to bet that Mark doesn't know that while collecting well over <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$2,000,000</B></FONT> in donations and government grants the community actually only benefited to the tune of <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$208,228</B></FONT>. In nine years of operation charities have shared a measly <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$208,228</B></FONT> while well over <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$2,000,000</B></FONT> was actually collected. And I bet Mark doesn't know that a total of <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$799,871 </B></FONT> was actually spent on <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>Expenses</B></FONT>. I bet Mark doesn't realize that these people, these wonderful people (or ones like them) who according to <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>Doug Lewis</B></FONT> should get elected for mayor and council spent <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$4.00</B></FONT> for every <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$1.00</B></FONT> dollar they actually gave away. Can you imagine the job these people would do if you allowed them to run this city???? Like I said folks if your a donor to this scam then you should be pissed off. You should also ask about which organizations got some of the monies as some of them are suspiously if as to what they did with it???</div> <div>      But then we currently have these types of people and in fact some of them (Speers, Evans) are these people running the city. Is it any wonder that a <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$24,000,000</B></FONT> MURF turns into a <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$70,000,000</B></FONT>? Is it any wonder a <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$9,000,000</B></FONT> library will end up costing over <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$26,000,000</B></FONT>? Is it any wonder that a <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$18,000,000</B></FONT> Twin Pad Arena will end up costing over <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>$26,000,000</B></FONT>. Yes Siree! folks these are the types of people Doug Lewis wants you to support in the coming election. Check out the <A HREF="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/t3010returnlist-eng.action?b=868038951RR0001&n=THE+COMMUNITY+FOUNDATION+OF+ORILLIA+AND+AREA&r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cra-arc.gc.ca%3A80%2Febci%2Fhaip%2Fsrch%2Fbasicsearchresult-eng.action%3Fs%3D%2B%26amp%3Bk%3Dorillia%26amp%3Bp%3D1%26amp%3Bb%3Dtrue" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/"><U>Revenue Canada</U></A>  site and look at the numbers they themselves have furnished. The people who have duped Mark LaVerdiere should be ashamed of themselves. Is this the respect they have for our military that they would use an Honourable, Trusting man in their Propaganda to try and cover up their misdeeds???? So Mark, I and my family extend our sincere apology for these people's mis-use of your Honour and Trust if indeed you even actually wrote the letter in the first place??? By the way can you all hear the silence of the Packet and Times on this story which they seem to be ignoring??? More coming next week folks so please do come back to see the tangled web that is this backroom chicanery. As I have said, we are governed by the Mob.</div> <div> the tolnai family</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>We Still Need a Forensic Audit</B></div> <div> <B>We Still Need a Judicial Inquiry</B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Audit the Library Project as Well </B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Impeach Mayor Ron Stevens</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Feb. 24, 2010</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Orillians Demanding Answers</B></div> <div>      Had a call from Frank Matys from Orillia Today. Seems he is doing a story on the Sharing Place and Don Evan's gold plated salary because of the public calling the newspaper demanding some answers. Frank seems to have been told by Don and board members that his salary is being paid for by the Trillium Fund. According to Frank board members and Don told him that they can't understand what the problem is as they are getting this outrageous salary for Don from the Trillium Fund anyway. By the way folks The Trillium Fund is yours and my money. It is public money. So if what Frank said is true these people don't care about the waste because it is government money  and it's no big deal. Here is the link to an explanation of the grant, how much and what it is supposed to be used for. <A HREF="http://www.trilliumfoundation.org/cms/en/2008_2009_SY.aspx" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.trilliumfoundation.org/cms/en"><U>http://www.trilliumfoundation.org/cms/en/2008_2009_SY.aspx</U></A>  For 2008/2009 $50,166 was donated by the fund to the Sharing Place. According to Frank these people have assured him that donations are not being used for these outrageous salaries yet only donations are shown on their Rev/ Canada filing. Don Evans was paid $51,000 in 2008 plus expenses of $16,000. The Trillium grant as you can see is for a 3 year period. To the end of 2009 (the second year) Don had already been paid another $55,000 plus a further $36,000 in expenses. Within less than 2 years of the grant time frame a total of $158,000 of the total Trillium donation was already used to pay Don. But the entire grant is $150,500 over 3 years so in effect where is the money Don collected on last weeks paycheque coming from??? Frank the  Flim Flam man is pulling your leg. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Trillium Fund</B></div> <div> <B>The Sharing Place Orillia Incorporated</B></div> <div> $150,500 over three years to improve the provision of emergency food to people in Simcoe County by building this agency's infrastructure and increasing its fundraising capacity.</div> <div>   Please take note that this money or at least part of it was supposed to used "<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B>to improve the provision of emergency food to people in Simcoe County</B></FONT>".Not one cent of these monies will ever be used to buy food. Not one cent of this money has been used for the benefit of those in need. In fact not only has all this money been spent lining pockets but an additional $7,500 dollars is gone  with nothing to show for it.  So where does the money come from for year 3? Maybe the board could answer that question and explain again how no donations are being used to pay Don or anyone elses salary?  </div> <div>      I hope that the Orillia Today will report this outrage as I know the Packet and Times certainly won't. Folks keep up the pressure and demand that the Packet look into and report on this and the Community Foundation as well as all the other charities here in Orillia that are as bad as these and even worst. So far the silence from the Packet is deafening.. The sheer waste, while families go hungry and are turned away because of some artificial ceiling imposed on earnings or times per month they can access food is a disgrace as a few stuff their own pockets. But it gets better. It seems that Don has told Frank that he is so over worked that he has hired an assistant?? Imagine that?? Seems that $4,000 increase in wages maybe didn't go to Don? Or did Don give up some of his salary of $51,000 that he received in 2008? Any bets that he didn't? Please Frank look at the Revenue Canada filing by this organization. The financial filing does not compute with what they are telling you. If they are reporting false information to the Feds then there needs to be an investigation. It is a criminal offense to make false representations. What Frank was told and what is in the return does not add up. Someone is playing games. </div> <div>      For those who want to check out the expenses of the Sharing Place that too is a story in itself. Not only did their rent go up by 10% but so did their </div> <div> Professional Consulting Fees.</div> <div> In 2006 it was $145.00</div> <div> In 2007 it was $500.00</div> <div> In 2008 it was $000.00</div> <div> But then in 2009 it jumped to a staggering $4,425.  Outrageous.</div> <div>      As I said there are a whole bunch of so called charities and not for profits that can only be described as an abuse of people's good will and kindness. While people like Don Evans swagger around town claiming to care about the needy he stuffs his own pockets first. Then if there is any left, most of it is doled out paying for exorbitant costs like Professional/ Consulting and other expenses.</div> <div>      What about the cost of fundraising. Before Don Evans in 2007 it was $2,900</div> <div> 2008 it was $22,000 The year Don started his $51,000 plus $16,000 expense job.</div> <div> 2009 it was $26,000 The second year Don cleaned up  $55,000 plus $36,000 expenses.</div> <div> So Frank please do the numbers because they don't lie. The only people who have gotten nothing are the people who are supposed to benefit. You told me that a board member told you that Don had doubled the donations. That too does not compute so please ask them to show you how they can say such a thing. The authorities had better wake up and start policing these types of organizations. This charity's behaviour is not exclusive to Orillia but it does seem to be quite a high percentage that looks suspiciously like they need to be investigated as well here in Orillial.</div> <bR> <div> jim tolnai</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>We Still Need a Forensic Audit</B></div> <div> <B>We Still Need a Judicial Inquiry</B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Audit the Library Project as Well </B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Impeach Mayor Ron Stevens</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Feb. 25, 2010</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Who should the public believe???</B></div> <div>      I received an e-mail from a merchant downtown. The person wrote that he contacted the Packet  "i asked why they are not interested in what you say". He went on finishing the sentence with "they said they don't believe anything you say and they have lawyers looking in to it </div> <div> because of slander of character". Wow! anyone surprised they don't believe anything I say? That is not new since that has been my pet peeve over these last 10 years. I know they don't investigate and for sure they have been very busy over the years trying to tarnish my character. Why a few years ago most of the an editorial page was devoted to discredit me. Easy to go back to all the stories where I was a rabble rouser, watch dog, radical, wanabe and more. But it seems not of it has stuck. The reason is that over these 8 years I have been proven right over and over again. And I don't mean just on the MURF site. My beef has and is been that the Packet has no Character because it is too busy looking after their own interest.</div> <div>      So let's look at this Sharing Place and Community Foundation situation. I have made no accusations but presented facts furnished by these two organizations themselves. If the donations of $208,000 over 9 years by the Foundation is not correct then I believe they could easily correct it but they don't. If the $799,000 spent in order to give this $208,000 away is not correct then again it is up to them to correct it. But not a word from the Foundation as yet. Today there was word from Don Evans and some of the board members of The Sharing Place. Now this would have given opportunity for the Packet to grab onto this story and clear the air. But they have chosen not to. Instead they try to threaten me through a third party who went to them with an honest request. By the way some of the information I use and is disturbing to the organizations and the Packet is actually from the Packet. So if the Packet has not been reporting things as they are then I suggest the ball is in their court. But rather than get off subject I need to answer back to Evans and his board and what they said in the Orillia Today article this very day.</div> <div>      First of all as i am a stickler for accuracy Hefferon the president of the organization says that Evans was hired close to three years ago. It is not near 3 years but only 2 years and a bit. It is also said in the article that i was unaware that the $55,000 figure for salaries included Evans and an assistant. First of all my story started in 2008 when Evans was hired at $51,000 as the only employee. One can easily check the Packet writ up of how Evans is the sole paid employee. I brought in the $55,000 paid out to management for 2009 criticizing the increase in pay. If you go to the <A HREF="http://www.sharingplaceorillia.org/newsevents/select_category/1/index.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.sharingplaceorillia.org/newse"><U>http://www.sharingplaceorillia.org/newsevents/select_category/1/index.php</U></A> web-site there is simply no information on the hiring of an assistant. But the management remuneration did change. so let me be clear so that the board and Don Evans along with the Packet will understand it. Don Evans started at $51,000 in fiscal 2008 and is now close to starting his third year or has just past his anniversary. Not that it makes a hill of beans because he has accomplished absolutely nothing for the needy. Expenses have increased so much that as an average of the two years Evans has been in charge the amount going to clients has actually dropped.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> 2006</div> <div> Bank $33,545</div> <div> Revenue $91,765</div> <div> Non food expenses $22,695</div> <div> Food?? purchase $41,395</div> <div> 45% of revenue spent on food</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> 2007</div> <div> Bank $106,893</div> <div> Donations $93,503</div> <div> Non Food Expense $30,530</div> <div> Food?? purchase $31,497</div> <div> 33% of revenue spent on food</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> 2008</div> <div> Bank $142,588</div> <div> Revenue $199,761</div> <div> Non Food Expense $82,146</div> <div> Food?? purchase $39,773</div> <div> 20% of revenue spent on food</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> 2009</div> <div> Bank $184,642</div> <div> Revenue $196,659</div> <div> Non Food Expenses $96,659</div> <div> Food?? purchase $79,078</div> <div> 40% of revenue spent on food</div> <bR> <div>      It was reported in the Packet that Don Evans told the Washago Rotary Club that "85 per cent of the food distributed by the Orillia Food Bank is purchased by Sharing Place. So the need for funds is always there." But what Don did not tell the Rotary Club or anyone else for that matter is that under his watch in the first year only 20% of the money donated actually bought food. Don took back with him a total of $134 donated when the Rotary members passed the hat. I wonder how they feel now knowing that of that donation only $26.80 actually reached their intended beneficiary. Folks there is something very wrong here. While people are being turned away by the organizations own admission those who give from their hearts and pocket books don't know that very little reaches those who need it and should be getting it. All this information comes from the board and Don Evans. I couldn't make this stuff up no one could. But I don't need to make it up simply because it is true. If this harms the reputation of those responsible for this travesty then in my mind it is deserved. Since 2006 to 2009 while people were being turned away this organization's bank account grew by 550%. Money in the bank does not feed people. Charities crying poor while collecting donations do not have a moral right and maybe not even a legal right to be hoarding money. If the money is there then maybe people should be given groceries twice a month. Tonight's supper only lasts till breakfast and then hunger returns. Sending people to other places to be helped while $184,642 sits in the bank is unacceptable to the clients and to the donors.</div> <div>      I also have a hard time believing that 85% of food given out is purchased. Walk by any donation box at any grocery store and someone is always giving. Why a little country school like Uptergrove collected 205,000 food items alone last year. Again what the Board and Don  say does not compute with what they do and the facts. If the Packet or the Sharing Place would care to discuss these numbers and prove them wrong I look forward to anyone to do due diligence. I don't expect it, but then the last 10 years has shown me that the Packet looks after the Packet first and foremost. As I have said before, I hope one day Orillia will have a FREE press that will look after the common interest regardless of the consequences to their bottom line.</div> <div>      Last thing and I will close. I was aware of the Trillium donation/grant because it has been listed on the Sharing Place web-site. What I was not aware of was that the increase of $4,000 in costs for management remuneration was for a second body. Nothing was announced. Never in my wildest dreams could I have pictured there being enough work for Don Evans alone, never mind a second person. To do what? Lower the percentage of donations going to the needy?  More to come, please do return and please keep up the pressure for an accounting  and on Orillia Today and the Packet to report what is happening with this organization and others.</div> <div> jim tolnai</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>We Still Need a Forensic Audit</B></div> <div> <B>We Still Need a Judicial Inquiry</B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Audit the Library Project as Well </B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Impeach Mayor Ron Stevens</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Feb. 27, 2010</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>"It is Not a Public Organization"</B></div> <div>      The biggest problem with these so called charities is that some of those running them actually believe that statement. Don Evans happens to be one of them, as that is what he said in Orillia Today. But he is not unique among those who partake in the spoils from their ever so public pleas for more and more donations, while those in whose name they are asking for get less and less. The Sharing Place is not unique nor the first or the last. Until Revenue Canada and the authorities start taking their responsibility more seriously, the waste and greed will simply carry on. One of the tests for a charity is and should be that substantially more funds are used for the benefit of the needy than for the operation of the organization. A charity should not be sitting on large amounts of money  in bank accounts either. The financial statements of expenses should reflect  a reasonable cost vs revenue generated and gifts flowing for charitable purpose.</div> <div>      In looking into the two organizations I have written about the inconsistence's and amounts of revenue actually benefiting the needy falls way short of what is reasonable. If one compares the years 2000 to 2009 it is easy to see that when Don Evans was hired expenses sky rocketed. While some revenues did increase, as a percentage the needy received a mere 20% of funds raised in 2008. This is not nor should it be acceptable. I will attempt to show you why much of what goes on does not make sense from the returns filed with Revenue Canada for The Sharing Place.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2006</B></div> <div> Total revenue from fundraising <B>4630 $12,367</B></div> <bR> <div> Total fundraising expenditures included in line 4950 <B>5020 $556</B></div> <div> Now that is a nice return and reasonable.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2007</B></div> <div> Total revenue from fundraising <B>4630  $0</B></div> <bR> <div> Total fundraising expenditures included in line 4950 <B>5020  $2,910</B></div> <div> No funds raised yet costs went up by 500% Not very good but some you win but over all still positive results over the 2 years.</div> <bR> <div> But then we come to 2008 when Don Evans is hired with an additional $51,000 cost plus expenses.</div> <bR> <div> <B>2008</B></div> <div> Total revenue from fundraising <B>4630  $0</B></div> <bR> <div> Total fundraising expenditures included in line 4950 <B>5020 $22,182</B></div> <bR> <div> So while fundraising expenses rose by 762% from the year before Don managed to raise <B>$0 nada, nothing</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>2009</B></div> <div> Total non tax-receipted revenue from fundraising <B>4630  $0</B></div> <bR> <div> Total expenditures on fundraising <B>5020 $26,247</B></div> <bR> <div> Does this make any sense? If it doesn't make sense then there is something that needs looking into. In checking previous years up to 2006 there are no fundraising expenses nor funds raised. That makes sense. But spending a total of $48,429 over two years on fund raising and having a return of $0 nada, nothing surely must raise some eyebrows. Now I didn't make this information up or pulled it from an old straw hat . It is information that the organization and Don Evans reported themselves to Revenue Canada. </div> <div> Don Evans is quoted in the Orillia Today saying the following.</div> <div> <B>"Most intelligent people who bother to educate themselves would come to me or the board members and say, "What is happening here? Is this true? How much of what is being floated around is accurate?''' Evans said. They would be given the answer and they could decide one way or another whether they support the organization. That is not what we are seeing here".</B></div> <div> Seeing that Don doesn't think I am very intelligent and claims I have not educated myself to the return he and the board filed, then maybe he could explain where or what the $48,429 was used for. I mean, could this money have really been used for fundraising when no fundraising revenues were shown??? At the risk of repeating myself, it is a criminal offence to make a false statement or false representation to Revenue Canada, punishable by a fine and or jail time or both. Two years running this report claimed very high expenses yet not one cent of revenue was raised from fundraising??? So maybe Don  and the board could answer the question. Either you raised monies which seem to be unaccounted for or the expenses claimed for fundraising went to something or someone and were not legitimate expenses. Either way false representations have been made since Don has taken charge. So which is it folks?</div> <div>      The truth is that if you take away the $77,449 that was given to the Sharing Place in 08/09 by the Trillium Foundation,  no new money has been raised by Don. The Trillium money is granted by simply filling out an application. No salesmanship needed and no political influence allowed. By the way using political influence is also against Revenue Canada policy and could actually jeopardize the Sharing Place's charitable status if any was used. Looks to me like someone needs to explain just what and where all these monies are going and for what? While the hungry are turned away and people give generously, thinking they are making a difference, the effort to help feed people seems to be going nowhere.</div> <bR> <div> So here are the numbers that actually mean anything in this argument and people should be outraged with.</div> <bR> <div> Operating Expenses before Don Evans for 06/07                 $  51,258</div> <div> Operating Expenses with Don Evans for     08/09                  <U>$223,178</U></div> <div> Operating expense increase                                                     $171,920</div> <bR> <div> Revenue raised in 2006 and 2007 before Don                      $185,268</div> <div> Revenue raised in 2008 and 2009 after Don                          <U>$396,420</U></div> <div> Increase in revenue including Trillium Foundation                  $211,152</div> <bR> <div> If we remove the Trillium donation/grant received 08/09       <U>$ -77,449</U></div> <div> That means that Don actually only raised                                $133,703 </div> <bR> <div> That is a whopping $38,217 <B>less</B> donation revenue than was raised in 06 / 07 before Don took control. So what is Don Evans actually getting paid for and what are these exhorbitant expenses being paid out for?</div> <bR> <div> <B>Trillium Foundation Mandate To Funding Recipient</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Sharing Place Orillia Incorporated will be given</B></div> <div> $150,500 over three years to improve the provision of emergency food to people in Simcoe County by building this agency's infrastructure and <B>increasing its fundraising capacity. </B></div> <div> Sorry for all of you who believed what Don and the board members said. The numbers simply say different.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Sharing Place Treasurer Michael Craig is quoted in Orillia Today saying that "Donations have more than doubled" </B></div> <bR> <div>      I hope the board and especially the treasurer do their <B>Due Diligence</B> and clear up their mis-statement on this matter. If by chance they don't understand simple grade 5 arithmatic I am sure who ever they pay that whopping $4,400 for professional advice should be able to help them. If they wish, I would be happy to sit down with all of them and set them straight. More coming on<B> Charities in Orillia</B> so please do come back and let your friends, neighbors and family know about <B>Speaking Out</B> so they too can be informed. And don't forget to keep the pressure on Orillia Today and the Packet to get to the bottom of what is going on with this organization and others. Contrary to what Don Evans says The Sharing Place is a Public Organization and is accountable to clients, donors and the public as all <B>Charities</B> should be and in fact are even if only held accountable by myself.</div> <div>      In closing, I need to express my disappointment in Frank Matys. You see, I told Frank to run the numbers because the numbers show the truth of what is going on. Frank, claimed he couldn't talk because he had another story going on and he had to talk to this "guy" (Folks, he called me and had no time to get the story right?). I warned Frank that he should not treat this lightly and to get the facts and all the information. He promised to call me back (not surprisingly) but never did. It only leads me to believe that his story was already written and he needed to go fishing hoping to get me to say something that could be twisted to suit the existing story. I can assure everyone that I had my facts and even quoted Frank numbers to look for and where to look for them. I also offered to sit down with him so that there would be no misunderstanding on his part. He chose not to do that and went on publishing the article not only misrepresenting our conversation but actually becoming a co-conspirator in the cover up of what is going on at the Sharing Place. As I have said before, I hope that one day there will be a real newspaper in Orillia that which will actually work in the public's interest. I also found it amusing how Frank's article failed to inform the public of what web-site was actually making allegations by leaving out the web-sites name (Is that balanced journalism??). Instead his story refers to this page only as "an on line attack" or simply as "the web page". More proof that Orillia Today simply does not want people informed.</div> <div> jim tolnai</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>We Still Need a Forensic Audit</B></div> <div> <B>We Still Need a Judicial Inquiry</B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Audit the Library Project as Well </B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Impeach Mayor Ron Stevens</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Mar. 02, 2010</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Another Local Charity????? Exposed</B></div> <div>      I thought maybe a good way to go on was to let people see why it is so important to do due diligence before parting with your hard earned money. When I first started to look into charities it was because of the treatment dealt to a woman by a Barrie charity. I was outraged and decided to see if Orillia charities might be different. What I found was it isn't. Huge amounts of money are collected with very little actually getting to those that donors think their gift is for. Two examples so far show how needed resources for those who are supposed to be the beneficiaries gets used up with very little ever going to those in need.</div> <div>      This will be the last charity I will report on and hope that the local news organizations will take up cause to expose the many others that are no better than these three examples. All information I share is public and is available at <A HREF="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/charity-eng.action?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cra-arc.gc.ca%3A80%2Febci%2Fhaip%2Fsrch%2Fbasicsearchresult-eng.action%3Fs%3D%2B%26amp%3Bk%3DNATIVE%2BCHILDREN%2527S%2BFOUNDATION%2BOF%2BCANADA%2BINC.%26amp%3Bp%3D1%26amp%3Bb%3Dtrue&bn=881617617RR0001" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/"><U>NATIVE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION OF CANADA INC.</U></A>. As with the Community Foundation and the Sharing place this charities' numbers don't make sense and should be investigated by the authorities. When I decided to look further into charities this was the first one I picked because it's name indicates that their efforts are supposed to be for children. </div> <div>      My family and I have been raising money for Sleeping Children Around the World for many years. The first thing I did when we were made aware of it, was to do my due diligence. What I found is a charity that indeed is a charity with the vast amount of monies going to the benefit of those who it is raised for. Here is their web-site for those of you who might want to do your own due diligence. <A HREF="http://scaw.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://scaw.org"><U>http://scaw.org</U></A> Here also is the link to their Revenue Canada information <A HREF="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/charity-eng.action?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cra-arc.gc.ca%3A80%2Febci%2Fhaip%2Fsrch%2Fbasicsearchresult-eng.action%3Fs%3D%2B%26amp%3Bk%3Dsleeping%2Bchildren%2Baround%2Bthe%2Bworld%26amp%3Bp%3D1%26amp%3Bb%3Dtrue&bn=131634396RR0001" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/"><U>Rev Can SCAW</U></A> Check their filings out and see what a charity should be and compare their expenses vs what the 3 Orillia ones I have exposed. So here goes.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/charity-eng.action?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cra-arc.gc.ca%3A80%2Febci%2Fhaip%2Fsrch%2Fbasicsearchresult-eng.action%3Fs%3D%2B%26amp%3Bk%3DNATIVE%2BCHILDREN%2527S%2BFOUNDATION%2BOF%2BCANADA%2BINC.%26amp%3Bp%3D1%26amp%3Bb%3Dtrue&bn=881617617RR0001" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/"><U><B>NATIVE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION OF CANADA INC.</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>     </B></div> <div>      This charity<B> </B>received their charitable status in 2002. I will start by introducing the directors for 2002. Some of them might be people you know or recognize.</div> <bR> <div> RAYMOND C SMITH PRESIDENT MISSIONARY </div> <div> REV LARRY FREEMAN BOARD CHAIR PASTOR</div> <div> DONALD G PIPE TREASURER RETIRED TEACHER</div> <div> DENISE ANNA SMITH SECRETARY MISSIONARY</div> <div> MICHAEL ASELSTYNE BOARD MEMBER BUSINESS</div> <div> In 2003 they were joined by  </div> <div> PAUL LANE BOARD MEMBER and </div> <div> DAVE MCCULLOUGH BOARD MEMBER </div> <div> Now let us get on with the numbers. You will see a pattern that builds to 2008. The totals are for the 7 years these people have been operating. The first two columns are the Revenue and Expenses. The following columns are a breakdown on where these monies have been spent.</div> <bR> <div>                  Revenue       Expenses     Wages         Travel         Office Supplies         Advertising        Professional Services         Gifts to Donees  </div> <div> 2002        $    6,221      $    1,787        $     581        $      0        $       0                        $  1,206              $   0                                        $      0</div> <div> 2003        $  90,935      $  71,092       $40,299        $11,178    $ 4,767                       $     327              $1,500                                   $  9,481</div> <div> 2004        $112,438      $  80,626       $49,816        $18,969    $ 7,433                       $     862              $3,103                                   $18,626</div> <div> 2005        $140,566      $136,526       $52,174        $17,910    $ 6,571                       $  1,494              $2,996                                   $54,439</div> <div> 2006        $114,067      $125,355       $55,842        $18,547    $10,753                      $  2,047              $2,675                                   $33,752</div> <div> 2007        $124,963      $  99,154       $61,092        $11,238    $  8,301                       $15,428             $1,696                                   $21,412</div> <div> 2008        <U>$114,015</U>     <U> $118,606</U>       <U>$77,300</U>        <U>$13,585</U>    <U>$11,450</U>                      <U> $13,922</U>             <U>$1,418</U>                                   <U>$14,578</U></div> <div> Total        $703,205      $633,146      $337,104       $91,427    $49,275                       $35,286           $13,388                                  $152,288</div> <bR> <div> Can anyone honestly call this a charity??? It is being operated out of a waterfront home on Couchiching Point. In my opinion it is setup for no more than creating expenses. How many of you have realized a 50% increase in wages over the last 6 years? Year two the wage was $40,299. In year 7 it had grown to $77,300. Look at the amount spent on travel. Seems excessive to me. So while people believe their money is going to help Native Children a mere 21% makes it there if indeed it actually ever gets to the children. You see in most cases when funds are said to go to Qualified Donees it means that the recipient is actually another charity. Not always, but mostly that is the fact. Now when a charity gives to another charity it means that some of the donation actually will help pay for the Donee's own operating expense. Let's say the Donee's operate their organizations the same as The Native Children's Foundation? So of the <B>$152,288</B> that would actually get to native children there would only be <B>$31,980</B> left after expenses. That's right. If the Donee's expenses run at <B>81%</B> the same as Native Children's the children the needy would end up with <B>$31,980</B>. That my friends is  (<B>4 1/2 %</B>) four and one half percent.</div> <div>      This scenario just goes on and on. The Sharing Place, the Community Foundation and now this one. I looked at three charities and all three of them come up with the same scenario. Coincidence or is this a pattern? Unfortuneately this is common behaviour.</div> <div>      Take the <B>$208,000</B> that the Community Foundation donated to Qualified Donees. If the Donees overheads are the same as my three examples then out of the pitiful<B> $208,000</B> handed out by the Community Foundation a mere <B>$41,600</B> actually reached the needy. That is, after people and business donated <B>$1,300,000 </B>again a mere three point two percent (<B>3.2%</B>). Folks, I wish this was a sick joke. Unfortunately this whole charity business is a nightmare. It's a nightmare for all those who give from their hearts and compassion for their fellow man. But it is a bigger nightmare for those who are told that all these monies are being donated but never seem to get much of it. No wonder the needy will always be needy with these kind of people looking after their charitable interests. Makes me sick as all of you should be sick reading this. It's time  to make changes. It's time to help those who need help and expose those who run these types of operations in the name of the poor, disadvantaged, aged, children, handicapped, homeless, working poor, God and all the other groups who are the most vulnerable. Yes this is the Orillia I have been seeing for the last ten years and have been trying to get you to listen. It is why I have been Speaking Out. While I will leave the Charity subject to the authorities and would be most happy to help them in their investigation, it is now your responsibility to make sure that the Packet, Orillia Today and the authorities hear your demands for justice. It's easy for them to ignore me, not so easy for them to ignore all of you. I know you are caring. I know you are generous. I know that the vast majority in Orillia and area are honest and hardworking. And I also know that with you saying <B>Enough</B> is <B>Enough</B> we can make Orillia and area the type of community we all want for our children. Do come back as there is more corruption as it seems to never end. Make sure you share this site with all your contacts, friends, neighbours and family. </div> <div> jim tolnai</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>We Still Need a Forensic Audit</B></div> <div> <B>We Still Need a Judicial Inquiry</B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Audit the Library Project as Well </B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Impeach Mayor Ron Stevens</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>April 14, 2010</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Seems Charities Pay Big Money</B></div> <div>      Today's Globe and Mail had an interesting piece on charity CEO compensation. I wrote about three charities right here in the sunshine town last month. I have been livid about how the Sharing Place, Community Foundation and a home based charity called the Native Children's Foundation of Canada pay themselves for operating. It is a disgrace what these outfits do not spend on charitable giving. It is a disgrace when the Foundation spends $799,000 to give away a mere $200,000. It is a disgrace to see hundreds of thousands being spent on salaries and questionable expenses while the needy get a fraction of what is given. </div> <div>      I was pleased to see the Globe article <A HREF="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/six-figure-salaries-the-norm-at-top-charities/article1533823/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nati"><U>Six Figure Compensation</U></A>. It is time that these people were outed so that people's generosity will no longer be taken for granted. The Heart and Stroke spends 50% of donations on salaries. This is outrageous. In fact Sick kids hospital paid it's former CEO 2.7 million dollars for 2008.  There are some who defend this practice.</div> <div> "I have yet to be convinced [excessive compensation] is a serious problem within our sector," said Mark Blumberg, a Toronto lawyer who specializes in charity law".  Well surprise! surprise! that this guy defends high salaries. Wonder how much he dings charities for representing them as their lawyer who specializes in "charity law"?</div> <div>      Folks read the Globe story that I have left a link for. And make sure that before you give do your due diligence. Remember if you give a dollar in many cases the needy will be lucky to end up getting as little as 10 cents. I hope that the private members bill before parliament will pass and there will be more reporting on what money is actually going for. Hundreds of millions have been donated for Haiti relief with very little actually going for the people. But we can be assured that those running these so called charities are being looked after. I for one am very selective as to whom I give to. When I check out a charity that asks for support I ask questions. It's amazing how quickly they hang up and move on hoping to find a sucker.</div> <div>      Next time you meet Don Evans from the Sharing Place ask him to show you his pay stub and expense account. If he takes exception then you take exception by finding a different way to help those who need it. For people like Evans it seems charity begins at home. Don claims being on council is a full time job because he works so hard?? So his $50 plus thousand must be for part time work for the Sharing Place then? Nice work if you can get it. Disgraceful. </div> <div>      Our family as of last Christmas now purchase food and make boxes for people in need. They do not have to go through embarrassing questioning and get rejected for no reason. We go out into the community and find people in need. Not hard to find as almost everyone knows a hardship case. Believe me it is a wonderful feeling. Instead of paying the Don Evans we save our money and buy prepaid grocery cards and give them along with the groceries to those who need the hand up. That gives the people the feeling of independence and if they want to treat themselves, then good on them. So folks look into being a direct doner and make every cent count.</div> <div> jim tolnai</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>We Still Need a Forensic Audit</B></div> <div> <B>We Still Need a Judicial Inquiry</B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Audit the Library Project as Well </B></div> <div> <B>We Need to Impeach Mayor Ron Stevens</B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>