Comments on: Sunshine League: Minister Hopes For Resolution

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:27:00 +0000

Are you people asking about the price really that stupid? Do you think the children care for themselves? They don’t go to private schools, do the prisoners? There have to be responsible adults there to care for them-maybe one of the reasons they are there in the first place. I am sure the cost is taking the paying of the cook, and the supervisor and anyone else they need to assist into consideration. I know for a fact the kids have chores that they have to do to help out. I for one am sorry to see them close. I have supported them over the years and will continue to do so! Come on Bda Govt-there has to be some common ground here

By: People's Poet

People's Poet — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 02:35:43 +0000

At the Sunshine League I did
Ask the question that blew off the lid
I’m still waiting my turn
They have money to burn
Its a hundred thousand per kid

By: Regimental

Regimental — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:47:45 +0000

Ummm with the increase in gang activity we are releasing these problem youth back into society? When mom and dad pay them no attention where you think they are going to find it? I know it’s not entirely the youth however returning them back to the living condition that got them there in the first place can not be the answer. This gov is truly lost, it’s a recession we get it, don’t create more social problems because of it. Be creative find ways to make money exhaust all avenues before throwing in the towel. This gov has no vision, no creativity, not just plp but o.b.a. Too I mean where the he’ll is this countries so called leaders?

By: Sooo confused!

Sooo confused! — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:16:45 +0000

@ I encourage…:-) unfortunately, I am not privy to the details of this particular matter.

By: The 411

The 411 — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:06:54 +0000

Think before you speak. The cost is attributed to the 18 staff used to take care of the children – 5 full time people, 13 part time. The cost of all these people plus food and belco etc equals the total cost. Then divide this number by 8 children. And you arrive at the 100K figure. The operating costs using this logic is an annual budget requirement of $800K. We reduce this per child cost by having more kids in the home…

By: Shaking the Head

Shaking the Head — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:16:55 +0000

Yesterday Senator LaVerne Furbert was taking the view that the Sunshine League is not needed and should close – see another thread. Maybe there needs to be more coordination between the PLP Cabinet and its Senators so both know what the PLP Government position is on such matters and presents a united front. So is it close it down because of the Global Recession, or work to keep it open?

By: I encourage

I encourage — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:04:51 +0000

Hello Sooo confused

I would encourage you to speak up or leak the information. Garry at ZBM or Bernews would gladly be able to assist.

Speak up for the future of Bermuda!

By: Toni

Toni — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:14:05 +0000

Mr Blakeney said Government had initiated a review of the operational efficiency and financial status of the Sunshine League. “Government had requested, and is yet to receive, current information regarding the financial status of The Sunshine League.”

Another example of this Government’s double standards…and “OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY”?!?!?!?! Really??!!! This Gvmnt. has NO RIGHT to such utterances!!!!!

By: WHY NOT

WHY NOT — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:05:14 +0000

Hold on!

In the blog yesterday i said, this government will pay over 2 million $$$$$ to consulatants,cut $100,000 grant to Sunshine league and face the camera and defend their action! i am still asking, i wonder who they work for??????

By: Sooo confused!

Sooo confused! — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:21:12 +0000

As someone who grew up and went to church in the same area as Sunshine League, I am very familiar with the facility – when younger many children living there attended church along with my family and I even visited friends who lived there at a young age.

I am sooooo sooo confused by all of this. It raised a question mark in my head as well when reading that the SL has no mortgage. Is up to $100,000 per child per year a reality? Well, we have been told many times that it costs $80,000 per prisoner per year at Westgate….is that a good comparison?? Someone? Anyone…?

Also, as an admin assistant for the Bda Govt. privy to high profile meetings (minute taking)I know for a fact that half truths are often told and the public only gets to hear the real deal if someone is bold enough to risk their cushy job and huge paycheck to reveal the truth!

Hopefully, the truth will come out and a resolution will be found as once again, we are discussing Bermuda’s future – our children – who continue to be placed at risk due to the supposed lack of funds.

Furthermore – my biggest pet peeve right now with the Bda Govt. – even though it isn’t millions – is the fact that they have “found” more money in their budget for the freakin Washington Office expansion “so that US Congressman can have easy access to info on Bermuda” – but less money for OUR CHILDREN – THE FUTURE!!!!

By: 32n64w

32n64w — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:21:04 +0000

“Government had requested, and is yet to receive current financial information regarding the financial status at the Sunshine League.”

Charities are required file annual accounts with the Registrar and, to the best of my knowledge, the Sunshine League is current with their obligations unlike the BIU which is 12 YEARS BEHIND … but you won’t hear a PLP Minister mention that grave deficiency will you.

By: Organic Bermudian

Organic Bermudian — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:13:35 +0000

So the question REMAINS BERMUDA? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS GOVERNMENT??? The Sunshine League like the Brangman home has foster some of the most HIGHLY regarded indiviuals on this land!! This Government are more interested in keeping FORIEGN companies happy then DEALING with the ISSUES that have TORN the MORAL FABRIC of OUR HOMELAND!! BERMUDA WAKE UP! CITIZENS around the WORLD are TOPPLING INEPT CORRUPT GOVERNMENTS!! WHY CAN”T WE?? ORGANISE BERMUDA!! PRIORITISE!!

By: Dont understand??????????

Dont understand?????????? — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:39:43 +0000

Sooooo let me understand this correctly. They have no mortgage on the place? Why dont they refinance take a small mortgage out. Make the PARENTS of the children pay a fee for them being there. I bet that would straighten up these PARENTS ACT. Simply because CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THE LIVE. They wouldnt be unruley if they didnt see it…um just saying

By: My two cents

My two cents — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:01:27 +0000

I really can not fathom how it costs between 75,000-100,000 dollars per year per child! That equals roughly $$205-273 per day per child??? What are these children doing? Are they going to private school with this money? Are they traveling abroad or eating gourmet food? Can you imagine how many families are raising their own children on much much less?
“The Minister also mentioned that the building is owned by the League, with no mortgage attached.”

By: Warwick

Warwick — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:36:52 +0000

They never denied receiving large donations – read above:
Yesterday Zakiya Johnson, Interim President, said: “While many corporations and individuals continue to be extremely generous to The Sunshine League, the donations, foster fees and government grant are no longer enough to sustain a high-cost residential foster-care model.”

By: Been There

Been There — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:17:13 +0000

For real for the amount of money it takes to raise a child do you think more Mothers and fathers can ask for more money for child support seems like a lot of money to raise one child. The SL pulled the plug they made the choice it seems to me

By: The Facts

The Facts — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:16:26 +0000

Maybe someone should look into the books because the Sunshine League just received a huge donation..Sorry I can’t nme the source of where the donation came from.

By: MinorMatters

MinorMatters — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:13:21 +0000

If this debacle of closing the oldest charity providing for our Bermudian children at risk had occurred under the UBP, there would have been an uproar, an outcry, an uprising with blood in the streets…and yet we sit and watch this happen and worst of all, say and do nothing about it!

By: Jim Bean

Jim Bean — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:09:09 +0000

This is a freakin joke….why don’t the Ministers of Government all give up their cars for the sake of the children – 13 ministers? 13 cars at conservatively say $25k each plus operating espenses? there is probably money for 4 kids. Also he said some kids will go back to their natural parents – WTF?? They are in foster care for a reason you dolt!!

By: in the know

in the know — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:02:58 +0000

You ‘believe sincerely’ and I know for fact, that your comments are spot on!!! I can’t believe the nerve of the Minister to suggest that he was surprised by this action.

And to those sugessting that the SL has been mismanaging funds simply because the Minister states that financial information has not been provided are jumping to a bold conclusion.

By: Can you handle this

Can you handle this — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:02:04 +0000

I agree with your statement: “I think the Ministry suggesting any mismanagement is shameful” the “nerve of a horse” as my grandmother would say….let’s not draw us into a “misapropriation” of funds discussion Mr. Minister…SMH!!!!!!

By: Selina

Selina — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:45:18 +0000

Political rhetoric. At this point and time the PLP can ill afford to mess up. So many people are fed up with the way the Government is running this country. They have now waited until one of the oldest charities have made a decision to close its doors to try an back track to some degree of making themselves look like they can save.
The children come first and foremost. The SL made there plea known with Government but as usual they dragged there feet.

Bermuda we need to be shouting at the top of our lungs to wake this Government up.So much is at stake on this island.

By: Terry

Terry — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:27:51 +0000

Well put 411. I like the part about “at risk youths”……….

Ironoic eh?

By: Real Talk

Real Talk — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:23:55 +0000

So the Sunshine League decided to pull the plug without notifying the Ministry.
Right. Pull the other one.

By: Warwick

Warwick — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:22:18 +0000

The Charities Act requires that all registered charities submit accurate financial statements to the Registrar General within 6 months of their year-end.

The Sunshine League is no different, and I think the Ministry suggesting any mismanagement is shameful.

By: The 411

The 411 — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:49:06 +0000

Politics at its best. Shame on you Minister Blakeney. I believe sincerely that the Board made its pain well known to you and typical of many a “helping” government departments, their cries went unheard by you or you went about resolving these at the pace that is notoriously characteristic of the civil service.
Now with no other options available to them, the Board made the difficult decision to make this announcement and only now that it is front page news does it get your attention. This announcement was their last ditch attempt of desperation and accomplished exactly what could have been expected….that you and the labour government would now care about the at risk youths that the home shelters. These children deserve more.

And certainly not during an election year would the PLP machinery have these children go unserved! Pitiful.

By: Tragic!

Tragic! — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:48:07 +0000

Yet another charity that just somehow cannot provide proper accounting details, when asked. This is the real reason that people are no longer donating. It’s not just the recession.

We get it! We’ve been getting ripped off for years.