Media Release
September 14, 2009
Legal Claim
David Free v. Meaford et al
It is unfortunate that the depth and continuance of misinformation and harassment has continued for well over 2 years related to my tenure and departure from the municipality of Meaford.
It was my hope and intention to move on with life having left the community I had successfully rejuvenated from bankruptcy and despair to vibrancy. When I left the Meaford it had promise and stability. It took Council and others 2 short months to turn that into despair.
As indicated by the details in my statement of claim, members of the Meaford Council did not have the same intentions nor were they willing to be honest and accountable for their individual and collective actions of which they were responsible after my departure.
No person, employee or Canadian citizen should have had to tolerate what I have had to deal with relative to an employer or a government. As far as I can tell no person in Canada has. It is one thing to hold a person accountable for their actions it is another to hold an individual accountable for the lies and deceit of others.
This legal action will reveal the truth, verbal and abuse I have taken from politician, staff and consultants and more specifically will reveal wanting ethics and morals not only of Council but also its so called professional accountants.
There is a single question for any citizen, “what would you do, if the things that were said, published and broadcasted about you were lies?”
Certain members of Council have taunted me and have hoped for two years, that I would to sue. I regret to say, they have won the battle and have gotten their wish.
David Free, MBA, CMA, CET, CFE
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
DAVID FREE NOMINATED & ACCLAIMED TO BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF CMA ONTARIO
David Free has been acclaimed to the Board of Governors for the Society of Management Accountants effective June 15, 2009.
Monday, April 13, 2009
NO Deficits in Meaford Under the Financial Management and Corporate Leadership of David Free
In ALL instances and under my leadership, Meaford complied with all laws and professional practices.
The financial statements of 2006 as prepared and authored by BDO CLEARLY show there was a $131,000 surplus.
Insofar as the fiscal year 2007 my management of the corporation was effectively over thrown by the mayor and deputy mayor in February of 2007 as the CAO/CFO to advance their personal agenda of anarchy. Based on my limited knowledge of the final 2007 financial results causing the alleged deficit, there were; legal settlements, significant legal costs, runaway projects, a hiring spree in transportation, a general hiring spree (12 extra people), expensing of capital projects and ultimately the total absence of fiscal or operational management.
I cannot comment on 2008 other than, Section 290(3) of the municipal act provides;
(3) In preparing the budget for a year, the local municipality,
(a) shall treat any operating surplus of any previous year as revenue that will be available during the year;
(b) shall provide for any operating deficit of any previous year and for the cost of the collection of taxes and any abatement or discount of taxes;
Based on my observations this has NOT been done for 2008 or 2009.
The financial statements of 2006 as prepared and authored by BDO CLEARLY show there was a $131,000 surplus.
Insofar as the fiscal year 2007 my management of the corporation was effectively over thrown by the mayor and deputy mayor in February of 2007 as the CAO/CFO to advance their personal agenda of anarchy. Based on my limited knowledge of the final 2007 financial results causing the alleged deficit, there were; legal settlements, significant legal costs, runaway projects, a hiring spree in transportation, a general hiring spree (12 extra people), expensing of capital projects and ultimately the total absence of fiscal or operational management.
I cannot comment on 2008 other than, Section 290(3) of the municipal act provides;
(3) In preparing the budget for a year, the local municipality,
(a) shall treat any operating surplus of any previous year as revenue that will be available during the year;
(b) shall provide for any operating deficit of any previous year and for the cost of the collection of taxes and any abatement or discount of taxes;
Based on my observations this has NOT been done for 2008 or 2009.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
David Free and Meaford: High Profile RAMSS shows support for CAO and acknowledges Accomlishments
Meaford Express July 2007
Kirkland Quit Finance Committee
The Municipality of Meaford is rapidly approaching its "high noon" moment with regards to the status of CAO/Treasurer David Free.
One former member of the municipality's Finance and Administration committee believes that Free has been terminated by the municipality and the fall out over this decision by council will be immense and costly for the ratepayers of the municipality.
At last Thursday afternoon's Finance and Administration committee meeting Graeme Kirkland - a long time member of the committee and chair RAMSS (Residents Association of Meaford, St. Vincent, Sydenham - dramatically resigned from the committee. Kirkland read a statement after announcing his resignation and hinted that municipal leaders are misleading the public about the status of CAO/Treasurer David Free's employment with the Municipality of Meaford.
Municipal officials have repeatedly insisted that Free is on "vacation" or "holidays". Although in recent days anonymous media reports in the Sun Times have stated that his employment status is currently being mediated. During an interview after Thursday's meeting Mayor Wally Reif insisted that Free's employment with the municipality has not been terminated.
Kirkland disagreed and placed the blame for the entire situation at the feet of Meaford Mayor Wally Reif and the rest of council. Kirkland accused either Reif or Deputy Mayor Francis Richardson of violating the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act by releasing Free's resume to the Sun Times.
"The Mayor and council have lost my respect. I believe that much of what had been accomplished in the last two years is unravelling and see major problems ahead. I no longer wish to be associated with the governance of Meaford," Kirkland stated. "I have been useful to the Mayor when he asked for it, stood by him when he was abused, helped him get elected. But I am totally opposed to his recent actions and his apparent direction," Kirkland added.
In an interview the day after the committee meeting Mayor Reif categorically denied being responsible for the release of confidential information. "Of course I did not," he replied when asked if it was him that released the resume to the press. "This is not an item that I can discuss in public, but there is no question someone is revealing confidential information. It infuriates me," said Reif, who promised to follow up on trying to find out who was responsible.
Mr. Kirkland went on to praise Free for the commitment and dedication he brought to the Municipality of Meaford first as Treasurer then as CAO. Kirkland said Free worked long and gruelling hours under "extreme stress" and produced results that included: a number of no tax increase budgets, the implementation of a new and modern administrative structure and a new era of openness and accountability to the municipality.
"He succeeded in bringing Meaford forward from the dark ages and put it on a course towards a well run, well staffed, modern organization," said Kirkland. "The Mayor and council owe Free their support and loyalty because he earned it and he earned the opportunity to complete the work he started and then leave with dignity. Instead council seems willing to ignore his sacrifices for Meaford and destroy his reputation, his career and his health. I can't be associated with a council that is willing to strike down a man to whom Meaford owes so much," said Kirkland.
Mr. Kirkland did not state what he believes has happened to Free and his employment with the Municipality of Meaford during his speech to the committee - although he hinted that he thinks Free's association with Meaford is over as a result of actions taken by council. During an interview after the meeting Kirkland clearly indicated that he believes Free has been "let go" by council.
"In letting David Free go they have created a series of other problems. How will they recruit other staff? Who would want to work here if they're faced with being treated like this? The municipality is faced with exposure to the inevitable lawsuit that will involve the costs of terminating his employment," said Kirkland. "The bottom line is this: what are the benefits to letting him go?" asked Kirkland.
The Express spoke to Free after the meeting and he refused comment on his current status with the municipality. He did confirm media reports that mediation to resolve the situation had begun.
Kirkland Quit Finance Committee
The Municipality of Meaford is rapidly approaching its "high noon" moment with regards to the status of CAO/Treasurer David Free.
One former member of the municipality's Finance and Administration committee believes that Free has been terminated by the municipality and the fall out over this decision by council will be immense and costly for the ratepayers of the municipality.
At last Thursday afternoon's Finance and Administration committee meeting Graeme Kirkland - a long time member of the committee and chair RAMSS (Residents Association of Meaford, St. Vincent, Sydenham - dramatically resigned from the committee. Kirkland read a statement after announcing his resignation and hinted that municipal leaders are misleading the public about the status of CAO/Treasurer David Free's employment with the Municipality of Meaford.
Municipal officials have repeatedly insisted that Free is on "vacation" or "holidays". Although in recent days anonymous media reports in the Sun Times have stated that his employment status is currently being mediated. During an interview after Thursday's meeting Mayor Wally Reif insisted that Free's employment with the municipality has not been terminated.
Kirkland disagreed and placed the blame for the entire situation at the feet of Meaford Mayor Wally Reif and the rest of council. Kirkland accused either Reif or Deputy Mayor Francis Richardson of violating the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act by releasing Free's resume to the Sun Times.
"The Mayor and council have lost my respect. I believe that much of what had been accomplished in the last two years is unravelling and see major problems ahead. I no longer wish to be associated with the governance of Meaford," Kirkland stated. "I have been useful to the Mayor when he asked for it, stood by him when he was abused, helped him get elected. But I am totally opposed to his recent actions and his apparent direction," Kirkland added.
In an interview the day after the committee meeting Mayor Reif categorically denied being responsible for the release of confidential information. "Of course I did not," he replied when asked if it was him that released the resume to the press. "This is not an item that I can discuss in public, but there is no question someone is revealing confidential information. It infuriates me," said Reif, who promised to follow up on trying to find out who was responsible.
Mr. Kirkland went on to praise Free for the commitment and dedication he brought to the Municipality of Meaford first as Treasurer then as CAO. Kirkland said Free worked long and gruelling hours under "extreme stress" and produced results that included: a number of no tax increase budgets, the implementation of a new and modern administrative structure and a new era of openness and accountability to the municipality.
"He succeeded in bringing Meaford forward from the dark ages and put it on a course towards a well run, well staffed, modern organization," said Kirkland. "The Mayor and council owe Free their support and loyalty because he earned it and he earned the opportunity to complete the work he started and then leave with dignity. Instead council seems willing to ignore his sacrifices for Meaford and destroy his reputation, his career and his health. I can't be associated with a council that is willing to strike down a man to whom Meaford owes so much," said Kirkland.
Mr. Kirkland did not state what he believes has happened to Free and his employment with the Municipality of Meaford during his speech to the committee - although he hinted that he thinks Free's association with Meaford is over as a result of actions taken by council. During an interview after the meeting Kirkland clearly indicated that he believes Free has been "let go" by council.
"In letting David Free go they have created a series of other problems. How will they recruit other staff? Who would want to work here if they're faced with being treated like this? The municipality is faced with exposure to the inevitable lawsuit that will involve the costs of terminating his employment," said Kirkland. "The bottom line is this: what are the benefits to letting him go?" asked Kirkland.
The Express spoke to Free after the meeting and he refused comment on his current status with the municipality. He did confirm media reports that mediation to resolve the situation had begun.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
David Free and Meaford: Esteemed GTF Board Member Resigns in frustration (Privacy of the individual respected)
A highly respected member of the community (doctor), with significant depth in directorship and governance (Canadian universities) resigns his position on the GTF board in frustration over the actions and attitude of its members. See body of letter below (Privacy has been respected)
David Free and Meaford: Accuracy, Accountability and the Media
(What Others are Saying) As posted on the other blog site is complete rubbish, lies and obviously serves someone who is emotionally disturbed and obviously a Georgian Theatre Festival supporter.
No one is identified for his or her comments except for one, who emphatically denies this statement as it provided on this site. Commentary by Tom Nesbitt is absolutely false. A personal meeting with Tom months ago stated he was shocked by the report noting that he did talk to a secretive journalist who was trying to put words in this mouth. When Tom tried to have the statement corrected the newspaper refused.
The alleged response on my cell phone as printed on the website is absolutely false.
The issue related to the GTF lawsuit is in the hands of the courts as others have formally noted, there was no choice other than legal means in an attempt to stop their malicious self absorbed attacks on myself. Council agreed to protects its employees and like it or not they agreed to pay for the legal action as a means to stop the continuing harassment and defamation to myself by the employee, board of directors and their volunteers of the GTF. As one witness states "It is my firm belief that throughout the summer of 2006, Mr. Free acted in the best interests of the municipality in dealing with Ms. Staines and the GTF. At all times, I found Mr. Free to be professional in his dealings with myself, Meaford Hall, as well as the GTF and Ms. Staines. The GTF, on the other hand, acted vindictively towards Mr. Free and, from what I witnessed and overheard during my time at the hall, made it their goal to discredit Mr. Free and ruin his reputation within the community through slander and misinformation."
My business style is to achieve results. Shareholders, ratepayers, boards of directors expect nothing less. Anyone who believes that leaders are put in place to lose is grossly misinformed. Business is not pretty and there is aggressive competition. In turn around situations no one has time for platitudes or niceties, it is either succeed or die. When I inherited the financial affairs of Meaford it was near death several times notwithstanding fostering operations that made its survival fragile at best.
As stated previously, the author of the suethearts website fabricates information and hides their identity. All of this is cowardly in particular in the fact of the posted lies. A web site that specializes in reputation management provides anecdotes of people subject to anonymous bloggers and irresponsible media that attacks individuals. These video interviews speaks to the character of attackers and the damage they try to do. You are encourage to go this link and watch the video interviews to see what others have had to tolerate in their lives and the legal impacts that follow.
https://www.reputationdefender.com/pressRoom
No one is identified for his or her comments except for one, who emphatically denies this statement as it provided on this site. Commentary by Tom Nesbitt is absolutely false. A personal meeting with Tom months ago stated he was shocked by the report noting that he did talk to a secretive journalist who was trying to put words in this mouth. When Tom tried to have the statement corrected the newspaper refused.
The alleged response on my cell phone as printed on the website is absolutely false.
The issue related to the GTF lawsuit is in the hands of the courts as others have formally noted, there was no choice other than legal means in an attempt to stop their malicious self absorbed attacks on myself. Council agreed to protects its employees and like it or not they agreed to pay for the legal action as a means to stop the continuing harassment and defamation to myself by the employee, board of directors and their volunteers of the GTF. As one witness states "It is my firm belief that throughout the summer of 2006, Mr. Free acted in the best interests of the municipality in dealing with Ms. Staines and the GTF. At all times, I found Mr. Free to be professional in his dealings with myself, Meaford Hall, as well as the GTF and Ms. Staines. The GTF, on the other hand, acted vindictively towards Mr. Free and, from what I witnessed and overheard during my time at the hall, made it their goal to discredit Mr. Free and ruin his reputation within the community through slander and misinformation."
My business style is to achieve results. Shareholders, ratepayers, boards of directors expect nothing less. Anyone who believes that leaders are put in place to lose is grossly misinformed. Business is not pretty and there is aggressive competition. In turn around situations no one has time for platitudes or niceties, it is either succeed or die. When I inherited the financial affairs of Meaford it was near death several times notwithstanding fostering operations that made its survival fragile at best.
As stated previously, the author of the suethearts website fabricates information and hides their identity. All of this is cowardly in particular in the fact of the posted lies. A web site that specializes in reputation management provides anecdotes of people subject to anonymous bloggers and irresponsible media that attacks individuals. These video interviews speaks to the character of attackers and the damage they try to do. You are encourage to go this link and watch the video interviews to see what others have had to tolerate in their lives and the legal impacts that follow.
https://www.reputationdefender.com/pressRoom
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
David Free and Meaford: RAMSS SPEAKS OUT AGAINST MAYOR AND COUNCIL
Ratepayers Association of Meaford, St Vincent and Syndenham (RAMSS) boasts 450 members incorporated in 2001.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
David Free and Meaford: This blog Provides the Facts not the Fiction (Repost)
I have created this blog site www.davidfreeandmeaford.blogspot.com to provide the truth with respect to my tenure with Meaford as the CAO/CFO formally rejecting lies and misinformation anonymously posted on another blog site. The defamatory blog site exists for no other reason than to satisfy some deep rooted and demented emotional desire to spread lies or to seek revenge or better yet not owning up to their problems and shortcomings. Vengeful blogging has become a disturbing pattern of behaviour of cowardly vengeful people in the internet world. The bloggers are found out and successfully sued for multi millions of dollars. Please see attached link. https://www.reputationdefender.com/pressRoom
I was encourage to create this blog site to essentially provide context listing the problems I inherited while in Meaford and how they were addressed and any recognition received along the way. I have had assistance in creating this blog in addition I have identified myself and contact information to be accountable for what is written, provided and posted.
I currently have no interest in Meaford nor its current state of affairs. Although I understand intimately the problems of the corporation, the politics of the community is quite frankly beyond help. I have occasional conversations with friends and sometimes I am contacted by people in the community with respect to stretching my memory on the past affairs of the community. I provide my best and honest response to those who are interested in listening.
Insofar as another blog site, this was apparently went online 20 days after my resignation from the municipality. This site is www.suethearts.blogspot.com. As stated this is obviously a GUTLESS attempt to defame or discredit my efforts in Meaford.
It is my understanding that since my departure the municipality has struggled financially and politically. Council should have been aware of the impact of my departure in 2007 but instead chose to ignore the risks. I issued a press release with respect to the problems of the 2006 financial statements and that remains. It was by February of 2007 I came to realize that Meaford was politically and financially a runaway corporation and there was little I could do in my capacity to "right the ship". For the record, the 2007 budget was at the hand of the mayor and deputy mayor in pursuit of another zero tax increase.
I will address some of the items within this suethearts blog site while others are just too foolish to provide any attention.
Thank you for your interest.
David Free, MBA, CMA, CET,
I was encourage to create this blog site to essentially provide context listing the problems I inherited while in Meaford and how they were addressed and any recognition received along the way. I have had assistance in creating this blog in addition I have identified myself and contact information to be accountable for what is written, provided and posted.
I currently have no interest in Meaford nor its current state of affairs. Although I understand intimately the problems of the corporation, the politics of the community is quite frankly beyond help. I have occasional conversations with friends and sometimes I am contacted by people in the community with respect to stretching my memory on the past affairs of the community. I provide my best and honest response to those who are interested in listening.
Insofar as another blog site, this was apparently went online 20 days after my resignation from the municipality. This site is www.suethearts.blogspot.com. As stated this is obviously a GUTLESS attempt to defame or discredit my efforts in Meaford.
It is my understanding that since my departure the municipality has struggled financially and politically. Council should have been aware of the impact of my departure in 2007 but instead chose to ignore the risks. I issued a press release with respect to the problems of the 2006 financial statements and that remains. It was by February of 2007 I came to realize that Meaford was politically and financially a runaway corporation and there was little I could do in my capacity to "right the ship". For the record, the 2007 budget was at the hand of the mayor and deputy mayor in pursuit of another zero tax increase.
I will address some of the items within this suethearts blog site while others are just too foolish to provide any attention.
Thank you for your interest.
David Free, MBA, CMA, CET,
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
David Free and Meaford: RAMSS Takes a Position
Letter to the Editor July 2007 Meaford Express and Owen Sound Sun Times
The following is a statement from the Ratepayers Association of Meaford, St. Vincent and Sydenham made to members of Meaford Council. We would like to try to put a few things in perspective for you and make some suggestions.
Meaford Council did not want confrontation with the Georgian Theatre Festival and believed that GTF would continue to perform at the Hall, but they needed to take control of the building. GTF opposed this and seemed to believe that they could get their way, if only they could just get rid of Wally Reif and David Free.
GTF staff and supporters actively fought Reif's re-election in Nov. 06. They merged into an activist group, which included Mayoral candidate, Robert Reid, a provincial politician, a local malcontent and some local media. The coalition fought the most vitriolic, anti-incumbent local election campaign ever witnessed locally. The group failed to unseat Reif but after the election continued to vilify him and try to get David Free fired.
It is notable that Reif was re-elected with a huge margin, based primarily of the accomplishments of David Free, in bringing Meaford's administration into the twenty first century. The five new Councillors elected at that time were unaffected by all this sound and fury.
Needless to say the Mayor has a long memory about that dirty campaign, which involved illegal signs, hate mail and the OPP. It influences his judgement about the Hall. GTF has burned its political capital and Reif's goodwill towards the organization must be close to zero.
Meaford still faces huge challenges which Free is eminently qualified to handle. We need a strong executive in that office one who cannot be intimidated. We need a CAO, who will fight for ratepayers when the need arises and will build an efficient, motivated team around him.
Reif has assumed powers that rightly belong to the CAO and we strongly recommend that Council should remove his signing authority on cheques. Allowing the Mayor to sign cheques permits him to exercise his personal biases, without bowing to the authority of the other six members of Council.
Several major confrontations have occurred between Free and Reif resulting from Reif's issuing commands on operating matters. Council should investigate what these were, because a Mayor acting without the backing of Council is usurping the powers we vested in you by electing you. We suggest that you clarify that the role of the Mayor does not bestow any power to be involved in management.
Meaford a War Zone
Meaford has been a political war zone over the past four years. The Mayor and the CAO were called upon to behave differently from how they might behave in peacetime. Both of these gentlemen are highly intelligent, charming, helpful and cooperative. They are goal oriented however and can be both determined and tough when the situation calls for it. They will predictably be tough if they are attacked when defending taxpayer interests. That is exactly what we want, leaders with backbone.
Free was required to implement Council's wishes in establishing control over Meaford Hall and has been left to take the resulting fallout.
The lawsuit by Free against GTF, was launched with the blessing of the Mayor because it fit well with Council policy of getting GTF out of Meaford Hall. Free maintains he was injured by defamation, by GTF in the process of performing his job.
An employer has an obligation to protect any employee who is injured on the job whether he is a firefighter, snowplow operator or CAO. Council originally agreed to fund the defamation lawsuit but a newly elected Council, caught in the headlights, bent to the opposition of GTF and McPherson and reversed their position, leaving Free out to dry.
The Free/GTF lawsuit has divided the community and must be resolved so we can move forward in the development of Meaford Hall as a cultural destination. It is time for Council to show leadership, stand up for Free and make the law suit go away.
One way of doing this would be for Council, to become a party to the suit against GTF, cover the legal fees and immediately enter into negotiations towards an out of court settlement. Wally Reif's judgement in this matter is compromised and he should not take part in this process.
Dismissal of Free would be perceived as politically motivated but to fire Free would have far reaching implications:
It would send a message to other staff members that they might be treated the same way.
It would make it very difficult to attract good candidates to fill his or any other position because of Meaford's . Negative reputation as an employer. He would have to be replaced by two people, a treasurer and a CAO at additional cost to ratepayers. It would deprive Meaford of a man, able to complete the job of team building and complete the job of making Meaford's administration, one to be admired. Council would bring down upon its ratepayers, a law suit for wrongful dismissal and have to amend its budget to provide for such an expense.
What then would be the benefits?
At election time there were high hopes for this Council and our enthusiasm lasted until about two months ago. Now I can report that the people on the street are really worried about what is going on and and are asking "What on earth are our Councillors doing?". I urge you to take an active role in bringing closure to the uncertainties. To protect our community from being a laughing stock again and to get us back on the path of progress.
RAMSS
Graeme Kirkland FCA, FCMA
Chair
The following is a statement from the Ratepayers Association of Meaford, St. Vincent and Sydenham made to members of Meaford Council. We would like to try to put a few things in perspective for you and make some suggestions.
Meaford Council did not want confrontation with the Georgian Theatre Festival and believed that GTF would continue to perform at the Hall, but they needed to take control of the building. GTF opposed this and seemed to believe that they could get their way, if only they could just get rid of Wally Reif and David Free.
GTF staff and supporters actively fought Reif's re-election in Nov. 06. They merged into an activist group, which included Mayoral candidate, Robert Reid, a provincial politician, a local malcontent and some local media. The coalition fought the most vitriolic, anti-incumbent local election campaign ever witnessed locally. The group failed to unseat Reif but after the election continued to vilify him and try to get David Free fired.
It is notable that Reif was re-elected with a huge margin, based primarily of the accomplishments of David Free, in bringing Meaford's administration into the twenty first century. The five new Councillors elected at that time were unaffected by all this sound and fury.
Needless to say the Mayor has a long memory about that dirty campaign, which involved illegal signs, hate mail and the OPP. It influences his judgement about the Hall. GTF has burned its political capital and Reif's goodwill towards the organization must be close to zero.
Meaford still faces huge challenges which Free is eminently qualified to handle. We need a strong executive in that office one who cannot be intimidated. We need a CAO, who will fight for ratepayers when the need arises and will build an efficient, motivated team around him.
Reif has assumed powers that rightly belong to the CAO and we strongly recommend that Council should remove his signing authority on cheques. Allowing the Mayor to sign cheques permits him to exercise his personal biases, without bowing to the authority of the other six members of Council.
Several major confrontations have occurred between Free and Reif resulting from Reif's issuing commands on operating matters. Council should investigate what these were, because a Mayor acting without the backing of Council is usurping the powers we vested in you by electing you. We suggest that you clarify that the role of the Mayor does not bestow any power to be involved in management.
Meaford a War Zone
Meaford has been a political war zone over the past four years. The Mayor and the CAO were called upon to behave differently from how they might behave in peacetime. Both of these gentlemen are highly intelligent, charming, helpful and cooperative. They are goal oriented however and can be both determined and tough when the situation calls for it. They will predictably be tough if they are attacked when defending taxpayer interests. That is exactly what we want, leaders with backbone.
Free was required to implement Council's wishes in establishing control over Meaford Hall and has been left to take the resulting fallout.
The lawsuit by Free against GTF, was launched with the blessing of the Mayor because it fit well with Council policy of getting GTF out of Meaford Hall. Free maintains he was injured by defamation, by GTF in the process of performing his job.
An employer has an obligation to protect any employee who is injured on the job whether he is a firefighter, snowplow operator or CAO. Council originally agreed to fund the defamation lawsuit but a newly elected Council, caught in the headlights, bent to the opposition of GTF and McPherson and reversed their position, leaving Free out to dry.
The Free/GTF lawsuit has divided the community and must be resolved so we can move forward in the development of Meaford Hall as a cultural destination. It is time for Council to show leadership, stand up for Free and make the law suit go away.
One way of doing this would be for Council, to become a party to the suit against GTF, cover the legal fees and immediately enter into negotiations towards an out of court settlement. Wally Reif's judgement in this matter is compromised and he should not take part in this process.
Dismissal of Free would be perceived as politically motivated but to fire Free would have far reaching implications:
It would send a message to other staff members that they might be treated the same way.
It would make it very difficult to attract good candidates to fill his or any other position because of Meaford's . Negative reputation as an employer. He would have to be replaced by two people, a treasurer and a CAO at additional cost to ratepayers. It would deprive Meaford of a man, able to complete the job of team building and complete the job of making Meaford's administration, one to be admired. Council would bring down upon its ratepayers, a law suit for wrongful dismissal and have to amend its budget to provide for such an expense.
What then would be the benefits?
At election time there were high hopes for this Council and our enthusiasm lasted until about two months ago. Now I can report that the people on the street are really worried about what is going on and and are asking "What on earth are our Councillors doing?". I urge you to take an active role in bringing closure to the uncertainties. To protect our community from being a laughing stock again and to get us back on the path of progress.
RAMSS
Graeme Kirkland FCA, FCMA
Chair
Monday, March 9, 2009
David Free and Meaford: Mayor of Meaford Ordered 20 People to be fired
Despite attempts to ignore this bizarre order, the firing of municipal staff was the primary goal of the mayor after his election in 2006. At every turn the mayor was told by myself to obtain the consent of Council to fire all of these individuals since complying with a request from a single Councillor was not legal nor permissible. This issue never came before Council instead every conversation with the mayor was consumed with orders to fire certain individuals alleging everything from extra marital affairs to people being too old.
In some instances staff left the municipality seeing the writing on the wall with respect to disrespectful treatment by the mayor. In one instance a staff member with 2 months to retirement was ordered to be fired or terminated. There was an outright refusal to comply with this order. The Director of HR was aware of these stresses at the time. In many instances these people were targeted for personal reasons of the mayor or some unqualified accusation.
Because of my refusal to engage in these insane and unethical orders my future became limited and the CAO - Mayor relationship detiorated. The former mayor has attempted to deny these directives were issued several times however there is email evidence and credible first hand witnesses.
People to be fired as ordered by Mayor Wally Reif December 2006;
1. Director of Operations (left for Oro Medonte) (hire priority firing)
2. Director of Community Services (left for Clearview before he was fired)(high priority firing)
3. Director of Human Resources (to be terminated within 6 months)(high priority firing)
4. Acting Clerk – Lynda Galbraith (deceased)
5. Meaford Hall Manager (contract to be terminated)
6. Tax Collector and Payroll Clerk – Marg Acres
7. Acting CBO – Rick Carefoot (high priority firing)
8. Building Inspector – Terry Freeborn (retired)
9. Accounts Receivable Clerk – Sandy Freeborn (retired)
10. Executive Assistant – Deb Van Landyut
11. Sarah Morrison (left for County)
12. Nancy Eagles (repositioned in clerical)
13. Janette Scott
14. Rod Willis
15. Joanne Collyer (repositioned in Finance)
16. Eileen Plassot – Meaford Hall
17. Mark Pendleton
18. Bob Sutherland (to retire)
19. Deputy Treasurer - Valerie Manning (left for other employment)
Later Firing Orders
20. David Hunks
In some instances staff left the municipality seeing the writing on the wall with respect to disrespectful treatment by the mayor. In one instance a staff member with 2 months to retirement was ordered to be fired or terminated. There was an outright refusal to comply with this order. The Director of HR was aware of these stresses at the time. In many instances these people were targeted for personal reasons of the mayor or some unqualified accusation.
Because of my refusal to engage in these insane and unethical orders my future became limited and the CAO - Mayor relationship detiorated. The former mayor has attempted to deny these directives were issued several times however there is email evidence and credible first hand witnesses.
People to be fired as ordered by Mayor Wally Reif December 2006;
1. Director of Operations (left for Oro Medonte) (hire priority firing)
2. Director of Community Services (left for Clearview before he was fired)(high priority firing)
3. Director of Human Resources (to be terminated within 6 months)(high priority firing)
4. Acting Clerk – Lynda Galbraith (deceased)
5. Meaford Hall Manager (contract to be terminated)
6. Tax Collector and Payroll Clerk – Marg Acres
7. Acting CBO – Rick Carefoot (high priority firing)
8. Building Inspector – Terry Freeborn (retired)
9. Accounts Receivable Clerk – Sandy Freeborn (retired)
10. Executive Assistant – Deb Van Landyut
11. Sarah Morrison (left for County)
12. Nancy Eagles (repositioned in clerical)
13. Janette Scott
14. Rod Willis
15. Joanne Collyer (repositioned in Finance)
16. Eileen Plassot – Meaford Hall
17. Mark Pendleton
18. Bob Sutherland (to retire)
19. Deputy Treasurer - Valerie Manning (left for other employment)
Later Firing Orders
20. David Hunks
David Free and Meaford Uncovering Grocery Voucher Problems
A Meaford Board had put over $400k of the municipality's unsecured cash in the hands various members of the public hands through a fund raising scheme. Regardless of the high risk issues for losses the scheme cost the municipality money instead of raising funds. This report attempts to mitigate the damages and losses for the municipality.
David Free and Meaford SUMMARY OF MEAFORD DEEP ROOTED FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
Meaford has been described by myself on several occasions as fragile with respect to its ability to survive the projects essentially imposed by its special interest groups. All budget presentations, dialogue with the public and Council also described Meaford as a Financial Mess!
Much work was done to correct deep rooted problems in 2005, 2006 and 2007 however, there was nothing that could save the municipality from runaway projects, bad structure, financial incompetence, inadequate resources and volatile politics.
Meaford Hall was a project that the community could not remotely afford. It could not afford the debt servicing or its operational deficits. This was a common message in all financial reporting and budgets since 2005. Regardless the runaway project has been the source of the community and corporations problems pitting people against one another over an old building that should have been demolished. The Meaford Hall project was 20% over budget ($1,000,000) and 18 months behind schedule. And while other communities struggle to keep basic municipal services Meaford was building a luxury building to serve an arts community that could not or would not pay market price. All of this at the expense of critical infrastructure deteriorating before our eyes.
Regardless the Hall was built and added cost($600,000 in operational costs per year), distractions and the need for unique management and attention for the municipality. This project was approved by the Gerald Short Council and could have and should have been over turned under the Wally Reif Council. There were no supporting reports that provided a comprehensive cost model to the municipality nor was there information identifying its overall financial and administrative impact. Any modest amount of analysis before the project would have indicated a possible 25% to 40% increase in taxes that might have kept the project from moving forward.
Significant professional effort was engaged to improve the operational position of the Meaford Hall. Benchmarking other municipal theater facilities clearly indicated significant new costs were going to be added consequently to be supported by taxation. What was worse for the community a special interest group believed that they should be able to have exclusive use of the hall for almost no cost.
If all of the above was not bad enough, Council had directed and sustained its direction over 4 years to keep taxes increase to a zero level pressured by ratepayer associations. The politicians wanted the fiscal accolades but they did not want the fiscal impacts of their direction which simply more debt. In addition to all of this, Meaford financial systems were in ruin. General ledgers did not contain bank accounts, reserves or many of the operational entities. How any auditor could do an audit was incomprehensible. What was later revealed that financial audits since amalgamation were and remain materially misstated.
During budget deliberations and reports to Council, Meaford's situation was often to referred to as the "perfect financial storm". Lots of project, no funding, no reporting, and no interest to take drastic steps correct the situation. The politicians wanted to bask in the zero tax increase accomplishment however, they did not want to acknowledge the longer term financial impacts of their mandate.
Much work was done to correct deep rooted problems in 2005, 2006 and 2007 however, there was nothing that could save the municipality from runaway projects, bad structure, financial incompetence, inadequate resources and volatile politics.
Meaford Hall was a project that the community could not remotely afford. It could not afford the debt servicing or its operational deficits. This was a common message in all financial reporting and budgets since 2005. Regardless the runaway project has been the source of the community and corporations problems pitting people against one another over an old building that should have been demolished. The Meaford Hall project was 20% over budget ($1,000,000) and 18 months behind schedule. And while other communities struggle to keep basic municipal services Meaford was building a luxury building to serve an arts community that could not or would not pay market price. All of this at the expense of critical infrastructure deteriorating before our eyes.
Regardless the Hall was built and added cost($600,000 in operational costs per year), distractions and the need for unique management and attention for the municipality. This project was approved by the Gerald Short Council and could have and should have been over turned under the Wally Reif Council. There were no supporting reports that provided a comprehensive cost model to the municipality nor was there information identifying its overall financial and administrative impact. Any modest amount of analysis before the project would have indicated a possible 25% to 40% increase in taxes that might have kept the project from moving forward.
Significant professional effort was engaged to improve the operational position of the Meaford Hall. Benchmarking other municipal theater facilities clearly indicated significant new costs were going to be added consequently to be supported by taxation. What was worse for the community a special interest group believed that they should be able to have exclusive use of the hall for almost no cost.
If all of the above was not bad enough, Council had directed and sustained its direction over 4 years to keep taxes increase to a zero level pressured by ratepayer associations. The politicians wanted the fiscal accolades but they did not want the fiscal impacts of their direction which simply more debt. In addition to all of this, Meaford financial systems were in ruin. General ledgers did not contain bank accounts, reserves or many of the operational entities. How any auditor could do an audit was incomprehensible. What was later revealed that financial audits since amalgamation were and remain materially misstated.
During budget deliberations and reports to Council, Meaford's situation was often to referred to as the "perfect financial storm". Lots of project, no funding, no reporting, and no interest to take drastic steps correct the situation. The politicians wanted to bask in the zero tax increase accomplishment however, they did not want to acknowledge the longer term financial impacts of their mandate.
David Free and Meaford: Meaford Projects in Financial Mess: David Free fixed issues and saved millions
David Free and Meaford Recommends a Foundation to support Capital Needs of Meaford Hall (Approved by Council)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
David Free and Meaford: Municipal Councillor's Breach of Privacy and Censure related to David Free and Meaford
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
David Free and Meaford: The Other Blog
The other blog contains information that has been taken from context and is meant as obviously as defamation of myself and the work done in Meaford. I will address the challenges of Meaford separately.
What Others Are Saying
All of the content on the "suethearts" site is rubbish and a total fabrication. This material is fictional written to fit an agenda of sick individuals. If they had any guts, class, or substance they would show their face and be accounted for.
The initial quote alleged by myself with respect to profanities to the Owen Sound Sun Times is a bare faced lie. I did not address the issue at the time because quite frankly the reputation of the journalist as less than honourable precedes him. The merit and value of this newspaper and its content is met when it lines the bird cages or finds it way as fire starter.
There is absolutely nothing within this section that can be supported by documentation. My references and accomplishments pre and post Meaford are stellar and supported by evidence.
I will address more in other postings.
What Others Are Saying
All of the content on the "suethearts" site is rubbish and a total fabrication. This material is fictional written to fit an agenda of sick individuals. If they had any guts, class, or substance they would show their face and be accounted for.
The initial quote alleged by myself with respect to profanities to the Owen Sound Sun Times is a bare faced lie. I did not address the issue at the time because quite frankly the reputation of the journalist as less than honourable precedes him. The merit and value of this newspaper and its content is met when it lines the bird cages or finds it way as fire starter.
There is absolutely nothing within this section that can be supported by documentation. My references and accomplishments pre and post Meaford are stellar and supported by evidence.
I will address more in other postings.
David Free and Meaford: The Facts not the Fiction!
I have created this blog site www.davidfreeandmeaford.blogspot.com to provide the truth with respect to my tenure with Meaford as the CAO/CFO formally rejecting lies and misinformation anonymously posted on another blog site. It is more than apparent that the "other blog site" exists to defame and discredit myself. The defamatory blog site exists for no other reason than to satisfy some deep rooted and demented emotional desire to spread lies or to seek revenge or better yet not owning up to their problems and shortcomings. Vengeful blogging has become a disturbing pattern of behaviour of cowardly vengeful people in the internet world. The bloggers are found out and successfully sued for multi millions of dollars. Please see attached link. https://www.reputationdefender.com/pressRoom
I was encouraged to create site to essentially provide context by listing the problems I inherited while in Meaford and how they were addressed and any recognition received along the way. I have had assistance in creating this blog in addition I have identified myself and contact information to be accountable for what is written, provided and posted.
I currently have no interest in Meaford nor its current state of affairs. Although I understand intimately the problems of the corporation, the politics of the community is quite frankly beyond help. I have occasional conversations with friends and sometimes I am contacted by people in the community with respect to stretching my memory on the past affairs of the community. I provide my best and honest response to those who are interested in listening.
Insofar as another blog site, this was apparently went online 20 days after my resignation from the municipality. This site is www.suethearts.blogspot.com. As stated this is obviously a GUTLESS attempt to defame or discredit my efforts in Meaford.
It is my understanding that since my departure the municipality has struggled financially and politically. Council should have been aware of the impact of my departure in 2007 but instead chose to ignore the risks. I issued a press release with respect to the problems of the 2006 financial statements and that remains. It was by February of 2007 I came to realize that Meaford was politically and financially a runaway corporation and there was little I could do in my capacity to "right the ship". For the record, the 2007 budget was at the hand of the mayor and deputy mayor in pursuit of another zero tax increase.
I will address some of the items within this suethearts blog site while others are just too foolish to provide any attention.
Thank you for your interest.
David Free, MBA, CMA, CET,
I was encouraged to create site to essentially provide context by listing the problems I inherited while in Meaford and how they were addressed and any recognition received along the way. I have had assistance in creating this blog in addition I have identified myself and contact information to be accountable for what is written, provided and posted.
I currently have no interest in Meaford nor its current state of affairs. Although I understand intimately the problems of the corporation, the politics of the community is quite frankly beyond help. I have occasional conversations with friends and sometimes I am contacted by people in the community with respect to stretching my memory on the past affairs of the community. I provide my best and honest response to those who are interested in listening.
Insofar as another blog site, this was apparently went online 20 days after my resignation from the municipality. This site is www.suethearts.blogspot.com. As stated this is obviously a GUTLESS attempt to defame or discredit my efforts in Meaford.
It is my understanding that since my departure the municipality has struggled financially and politically. Council should have been aware of the impact of my departure in 2007 but instead chose to ignore the risks. I issued a press release with respect to the problems of the 2006 financial statements and that remains. It was by February of 2007 I came to realize that Meaford was politically and financially a runaway corporation and there was little I could do in my capacity to "right the ship". For the record, the 2007 budget was at the hand of the mayor and deputy mayor in pursuit of another zero tax increase.
I will address some of the items within this suethearts blog site while others are just too foolish to provide any attention.
Thank you for your interest.
David Free, MBA, CMA, CET,
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