Editor:
Re: Earthwise has itself to blame for current situation, letter to the editor, Nov. 16
I was a director of the Earthwise Society from 2013 to June 30, 2016. Despite my decision not to seek a further term, I have remained supportive of Patricia Fleming, the executive director of Earthwise, and the achievements and aspirations of the society.
Sean Hodgins is clearly interested in the use of a portion of Southlands for farming. His offer of a parcel of land at
Southlands has had benefits for both Earthwise Society and for Century Group.
It is true that there is a lease with Earthwise and that the lease is at the rate of $1 per year. It is also true that in exchange for the use of the land, Earthwise was required to effect improvements, including repairs to the white barn. These repairs cost in the neighborhood of $60,000.
This is not a complaint, simply a statement of fact. Earthwise has publicly expressed its gratitude to Hodgins on various occasions and remains grateful for its lease at Southlands.
Earthwise Society is a charitable organization as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency. There are rules that such organizations must abide by. Avoidance of political activities is one of these rules.
Bracken states that "...the unwillingness to cooperate and take advantage of the opportunity to partner with Century on Southlands...." led him to leave the Earthwise board in 2011. I think most people who are aware of the controversies surrounding the development of Southlands over the years would consider partnering with Century to be a "political" activity.
As Bracken is a licensed realtor with one of the ReMax agencies, one can only wonder what his keen interest in Southlands has been and may still be.
Bracken also writes, "...along with concerns about the society's financial structure led to my leaving the Earthwise board in 2011." Charitable organizations are required to submit financial reports to CRA on an annual basis. Such reports also require charities to report any political activities.
Earthwise has its financial statements reviewed annually by an independent certified accounting firm and to date these reviews have been "deemed to be in accordance with general accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations." As a former director, I had had no reason to be concerned about the financial structure of Earthwise.
As Bracken has not been on the board for over five years, he has not been privy to the various efforts by Earthwise to cooperate and work with Century. Unfortunately the current project manager of Southlands has, at times, provided unclear information and direction to Earthwise, and he has not always "walked the talk." If his intention was to confuse the board, he succeeded.
As for Delta's role in this, they appear to have abdicated their responsibility to enforce Bylaw 7271, part of the 51-page set of bylaws approved at fourth reading in July of 2016. Have they also overlooked Century's advertising that Earthwise would be "at the heart of the Market Square?" And does Century propose to keep its promises?
Anita den Dikken
Friends of Earthwise
