By Pepper Parr
November 2, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
With stories like this – the opening sentence is usually – Trouble in Paradise.
The Seniors are not happy – they have been stiffed by city hall.
Joe Lamb thought the agreement he put together with the city was going to last forever.
A number of years ago there were some problems with the operation of the Seniors’ Centre which got resolved when then city manager Jeff Fielding and Joe Lamb met and worked out an arrangement that kept everyone happy.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Burlington Seniors’ Centre Inc. (BSCI) expired on December 15, 2015.
Fred Hendriks, president of the seniors’ centre organization explains that “Under this agreement BSCI, a not-for-profit volunteer Corporation had the responsibility, at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre, of running the Bistro Café, Day Trips and Events.
He adds that “On October 26th, 2016 the City notified BSCI that it would assume these responsibilities as of November 1st, 2016.
Lead negotiator for the seniors was Joe Lamb on the left talking to then city manager Jeff Fielding on the right. The agreement they hammered out was approved unanimously by the seniors Centre membership. Now the city has decided to take over what they walked away from a number of years ago.
Joe Lamb, the man who put the agreement together with the city said: “The key question is why they took this drastic step. Are they now in the food business again?
The kitchen was always a big thing to the city. They wanted out of the business at arenas because of liability, not a core competency. Seems to me they are back in the business. Didn’t the Board and the city just complete renovations in the kitchen and renew the Chef’s contract?
Are they not concerned about senior pushback? Is this Chris Glen (Director of Parks and Recreation) finally getting his way? How does the city communicate effectively with members now? Is the city now free to increase fees as they see fit? This whole issue is potentially a firestorm politically particularly if the right person steps forward to rally the Seniors in the City.
Fred Hendriks, BSCI President said in his statement that: “The City and BSCI have been in discussion for many months about BEGINNING negotiations to renew the MOU. BSCI is disappointed that the City chose to end the relationship in this premature and disappointing manner without any BSCI consultation.
The BSCI board will meet in November to discuss next steps. Their goal is to continue to be a vital organization supporting the well-being of Burlington’s diverse and growing community of seniors.
Mayor Rick Goldring signing his Seniors’ Centre membership application. Is he going to put in a good word for the seniors with the city manager?
The current city manager runs the city through what he calls a leadership team that consists of all the Directors – perhaps a few other people. This matter will come before them for certain.
We haven’t seen the end of this story.
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward chose not to make any comment until the BSCI had made its position known. The Councillor is the city’s representative on the Senior’s Advisory Council.
