Editor:
It has come to my attention that at the White Rock Business Improvement Association AGM on Feb. 19, a director made a derogatory remark regarding my performance as executive director, as well as that of my successor.
I cannot speak to my successor’s qualifications or performance other than to say that the remark is surprising, as I was informed that a lengthy, expensive, diligent, unbiased process was done to secure my replacement led by the same director that now flogged us both.
I was promoted from my 2½ years position as the BIA’s marketing director when the then-executive director, Russ Davies, left to work at another BIA. These were turbulent times. The White Rock BIA had only been renewed for one year. The organization was in debt and its members polarized.
I am proud to say that in my one year as executive director and, with the help of our board of directors and membership, we were able to fulfill every line item in our budget and obtain a vote of confidence from our membership to renew the BIA for another five years.
Both my predecessor and I were diligent in leaving both an electronic record of all events and transactions, as well as a hard copy.
The director last month made a reference to there not being a record of events or transactions. This is again surprising, as the computer has an automatic backup, so that records cannot be deleted, and the hard copy files were put in labeled boxes for the BIA’s subsequent office move. Of course, someone must remove them from the boxes and place them in the file cabinets to be effective!
This same director apparently went on to say that “you get what you pay for,” in defence of a proposed $60,000 wage for the new executive director and $25,000 for his/her assistant.
I worked for $38,500 and had no assistant. I will let the White Rock BIA members speak to whether they got ‘bang for their buck.’
Cyndie Richards, White Rock