Fahy On Bermuda Industrial Union Finances
[Written by Michael Fahy, Chairman of the One Bermuda Alliance]
I continue to be approached by members of the Bermuda Industrial Union who want a clear picture of the state of their union’s finances.
The union has not filed any accounts with the Registrar General since 2003, as required by the Trade Union Act of 1965; and the accounts it filed for the years 1999 to 2002 were rejected for not meeting the requirements of the law.
In light of these failures – no approved financial statements for 12 years – the Registrar General should institute proceedings under the terms of the Act.
To have the union reject our calls for a squaring of accounts because there was a “systems crash”, is simply not acceptable and akin to ‘the dog ate my homework.’
Union members whom I have spoken to are concerned primarily that the union does not have enough money to support them, as the threat of lay-offs and job losses grows each day.
The union has urged members who have questions to speak to them directly, but there is an intimidation factor at play, which is why I first was approached some months ago. These workers continue to approach me. Even when questions are asked directly, members are apparently fobbed off with very general statements.
On the basis of information I have received, there are clear reasons to be concerned, apart from the union’s failure to submit general audited statements to the Registrar General prior to June 1st each year.
We have learned, for example, that despite the failures to produce approved, audited statements for 12 years, the union’s finance team is paid $418,000 a year. This pay-out is remarkable considering the year-to-year failures to comply with the basic, legally binding reporting requirements.
A copy of the accounts filed with the Registrar General [see below] for the three-year period ending September 30, 2002, and which were rejected for being statutorily insufficient, raise further concerns.
There is a serious lack of explanatory notes attached to the accounts explaining receipts and costs – as is standard practice in financial statements – unclear line item explanations and no breakdown of large items. What is remarkable is that expenditure in respect of union salaries grossly outstrips union membership dues. There is an unexplained loan and many line items are simply difficult to understand.
Our concerns in this matter are two-fold:
The first is that workers have a right to know what is happening to the dues they submit to their union and whether that money is being managed in a manner that will help them in the event of lay-offs and job losses.
The second concern is the need for organizations across society to abide by the requirements designed to ensure the integrity of their operations. It’s an important way to ensure the proper functioning of society – playing by the rules we have set for ourselves.
The workers who have spoken with me and my colleagues are looking for someone to stand up for them and ask questions on their behalf. We will continue to ask their questions and press for a resolution to this bizarre state of affairs. Members have a right to know what the heck is going on.
It appears to indicate that Ernest & Young Ltd. (Ltd??) were the auditors. I would be very surprised to find out that they would have produced a set of financial statements like that.
Well my eyesight tells me it is signed by Ernst & Young Ltd., and the address seems to fit too http://local.bermuda.com/ernst-young-ltd-hamilton.html
Does look like a dog’s dinner, though.
Is this the standard of work that Ernst & Young generally does? It’s written in pidgin English. They certified it’s ‘duly vouchered’? What is that?
Sorry Mr. Fahy…Bermuda is PLP country…and as such it’s a place where PLP supporters, like the BIU, are above the law. Finally Mr. Fahy, watch your mouth…you need to understand that your job is to shut up, stop playing politics and follow the law.
sorry mr. soil. bermuda is NOT PLP country and the BIU are the ones breaking the law here. how can they represent their members and hold others accountable when they can not even practice due diligence and practice transparency….its ridiculous
Yes but the PLP are the ones who have obviously allowed the BIU to get away with this under their watch and at the same time set a very poor example with regards to their own financial management and transparency. The PLP really did a number on ruining this once financially stable country.
I have no doubt that Senator Fahy will now be subjected to bitter personal attack for having the temerity to ask why the BIU has failed to comply with the law of the land and submit approved financial statements for the past 12 years. Can you believe it – 12 YEARS. I cannot think of another organisation that could break the law for so long and get away with it. Can you imagine the uproar that would be made by the BIU if any of the organizations they conduct negotiations with failed to produce their legally required financial statements. We will likely hear that it is none of Senator Fahy’s business, but it is. As a Senator he has a duty to ask questions not just on behalf of members of the BIU who are entitled to see there own financial statements but also on behalf of the general public who are entitled to see that the law of the land is applied equally. Come on BIU. Is this incompetance or do you have something to hide? Come on Government. We know that you have a special realtionship with the BIU (and that is to be commended) but surely you cannot justify allowing them to openly break the law.
Fahy did not bring this matter to light, It has been raised long before he entered into the picture. So it is not new, and he does not get praises for it. Fahy jumped on the bandwagon as he saw it as a good political opportunity to seek out the Union also to highlight himself. He is enagaging in political posturing. Yes the matter should be look into, but by the proper authories that have the power to deal with such matters. Because he never showed interest in the past for the average working man, one has to question what is his real political motive? So please do not think he was the one who discovered some truth…..it is an ongoing matter for over the past year. You may just recognise it, because Fahy says so now.
So why hasn’t the proper authorites looked into it. That would be the PLP’s people that care for the working man some much. Please if it takes Fahy to harp on this issue to get it solved then who has helped the working man? You PR people will stoop to selling your own children to win an election won’t you. People like the spin doctors and PR people defending the indefencible are responcible for the root in our society. The better they are the wrose are society is fact it if you are Bermudian spooting the sh^t you do you are not helping your country. Still would like to know are you an american posing as a Bermudian for pay?
LOL
Just Blame It on the Ravenous BIU Dog
http://anonjournalist54.wordpress.com
While you are at it Mr.Fahy ask about the disappearence of the huge constuction fund which was valued into the millions .Former Union leader Ottiwell Simmons was a great stewart of the fund ,however , chunks started to vanish after he retired from the post . That fund enabled the union to build the present union building .As far as the members of the constuction section are concerned the union had paid back everyy penny up until the early nineties . All of a sudden in 2000′s the fund is bankrupt . Former construction members were lied to about the administration of the monies and now when we could really use it , the monies are nowhere to be found . A police investigation needs to be instituted to see if any fraudulent practices were employed in this matter . Let the Heads Roll .
Sooo…where’s Senator Laverne Furbert’s response to this one? Hasn’t she worked for the BIU for umpteen years? Soooo confused…
Wondering if the auditors might want to comment on this.
Definitely. This paperwork looks sketchy at best and looks nothing like an official 2007 Ernst and Young document. But, it took 5 years to put this together and nothing has been reported since? Wow. What kind of business is this? What you do in the dark comes out in the light. Seems like a group of people have a lot to hide and a lot to lose.
Back in the day, Unions were relevant and did get the average workers some really good benefits. However, Unions world wide has transformed into nothing less than a bunch of extortionist, where it seems like their only concern is to collect as much union dues as they can get their hands on.
The BIU, as far as I am concern, has no credibility, they almost brought the Island to a stand still, to re-instate a worker that was caught stealing, and one that was caught operating a Ferry under the influence of alcohol. This to me says, their concerns are not to operate in a fair and credible manner but is more concern about collecting dues and will do any and everything to keep the numbers up, so as to collect more.
The question is, is Bermuda benefiting from this extortion like behavior, or is it going to be the last nail driven in the coffin. If they are flaunting the law, then they should be taken before the courts and made to be accountable.
When you consider how adamant the PLP are with regard to charities {many whom are run by volunteers)reporting thier financials on time under the law. They sure did not have any problem forgiving the Berkley bond of 7 million owed the public purse.Hypocrites!
Am I the only one having a hard time believing that Union Members are approaching Michael Fahy of the OBA to try and get the Union to release financial information?
No I don’t have a problem believing that. People do what they need to do to protect themselves. After all, some of the politicians who complain the most about leakers ….
Ahhh. There it is. Focusing on the messenger while disregarding the message. I was impressed as it took approximately a dozen or so posts to get the first accusation.
Why would the workers approach the PLP for this information, when it has been the same Party that has looked the other way all these years as the Union shirked their legislated responsibilities. The PLP and the BIU are one in the same. So you know full well nothing would be done about it, or else it already would’ve been. You would’ve thought after “forgiving” the millions of public debt (re: Berkeley performance bond) by the Govt that they would hold the BIU to account and ensure that the annual financial statements were current. But as we see that was not and continues not to be the case.
So why wouldn’t they approach an organization that will simply not turn a blind eye to this nonsense that the BIU is pulling. If you are paying a monthly fee to an organization wouldn’t you like to know where your hard earned $$$ are going? Or is demanding accountability just an Opposition thing?
And why wouldn’t they approach the OBA? This stereotype that no other Party or Organization can relate to workers is what you have been spoon fed all your life in order for you to believe that “they” are different from “us” and cannot relate. It is all part of divide and conquer politricks and it appears to be fairly effective in this small piece of rock.
Your comments are correct Tired. Just go back through History and you will find the connection between the PLP and the BIU, it’s memebers and MCP’s/MP’s it Public relations-Audio/Verbal/Printed. The Goose that laid the Golden egg has left the rock and “We had to Deceive You” ringeth loud whilst the Koolaide runneth over. I feel sorry for many, the average Onion that will be left to wilt in the field of payback greed.
If I wanted to know where my monthly fee was going I certainly wouldn’t be running to either the OBA or the BIU. I would be demanding answers from my Union… If they can march in support of a fellow driver who got sacked surely they can march to demand accountability on their funds.
Call me a sceptic, but I have a hard time believing that Union members require the Chairman of the OBA (and that is nothing personal against Mr Fahy) to be their mouthpiece. Something just does not smell right about this and it is just another opportunity for the Opposition to play politics… No audited financials since 2002 – this obviously isn’t a new development – so why the sudden interest?
” I wanted to know where my monthly fee was going I certainly wouldn’t be running to either the OBA or the BIU. I would be demanding answers from my Union”
The BIU is the Union and their members apparently have been querying the upper echelons as to the state of their financial affairs and have been receiving nothing but “general statements” as a reply.
Don’t believe it then. There are people that don’t view Bermuda and her people as simply being black vs white or PLP vs everyone else. If they cannot get answers or assistance from the BIU or PLP then who else is left to ask? Not all Opposition members are enemies of the “working man” as some would have you believe.
Real Talk, in terms of timing, why not raise this issue now? Why would you think it should be delayed?
And why are you suspicious of Mr Fahy raising this? Are the facts going to be any different if we wait for a plp member to raise it?
Why wouldn’t the union members want their union to abide by the law and file proper audited accounts on time? Whoever brings this to light, don’t you agree that it is outrageous that the union has not had proper audited accounts for 12 years? And that the main use of funds appears to be to pay the internal union people?
@ Riley B King – The Union hasn’t filed for 12 years which I think is absolutely ridiculous and worthy of calls for some investigation… by the Union members. If my household account is overdrawn I’m not going to go to an external body to demand an investigation, I’m going to go to my spouse and demand an account. The Union is a private entity with members who pay dues in exchange for representation. If those funds are in question or doubt then it is up to the Union members to demand accountability.
You cannot convince me that a group who can bring this island to a grinding halt on a whim cannot press their own officials for greater transparency. Michael Fahy is not any better-positioned to pressure the Union than you or I are… which smacks of political opportunism.
@ Real Talk – The Union has been asked to provide accounts for years, Mr. Fahy isn’t the first to bring this issue to light, but heretofore it has always been swept under the carpet. Just as the PLP has stonewalled questions in the House by ignoring them, the Union has also ignored questions about its finances. The only way answers will be forthcoming is if someone takes the issue in hand and doesn’t let it go, which is what Mr. Fahy appears to be doing.
The appropriate body to investigate the Union’s finances is the Auditor General. The previous Auditor General brought the issue to light a few years ago and was castigated by the Government of the day (the PLP)> He was accused of racism, anti-Unionism, anti-PLP-ism and of simply wanting to embarrass Union officials by not accepting the shoddy accounts that were submitted. Few Bermudians and Union members spoke out at that time, and those that did, found their words fell on deaf ears. Hopefully things will be a bit different this time.
In this rabidly partisan political landscape, black Union members are in a difficult position. Pushing for answers that may be unpalatable, that might embarrass Union officials who are held up as positive figures in the community, that might even lead to legal sanctions or prosecution must feel like gross disloyalty. I can only imagine the amount of criticism, name calling and negative commentary such whistle blowers would have to endure from their peers.
Mr. Fahy, as a member of the Opposition, contrary to your comment that he “is not better positioned to pressure the Union than you or I” is in a position to have his questions and concerns addressed in the House and consequently brought before the public eye in a way that Joe Citizen cannot.
Just to play off your scenerio, if your spouse is not giving you answers, where do you go next? To the Bank to enquire. If they don’t give you answers where do you go? Just a thought – sometimes if those that should help you don’t, you look for assistance elsewhere. Perhaps this is what has happened?
Believe it or not,every BIU member is not necessarily a PLP supporter/member. However, the questions asked MUST be answered. It appears that the sole purpose of collecting dues is to pay the Union staff!
It appears you and Senator Furbert (from an earlier report) ARE the only ones having a hard time believing that Union members have gone to an outside agency in the person of Mr. Fahy, to get answers that have not been forthcoming from any other quarter. I would guess that even PLP supporters in the BIU are beginning to seek answers to these hard questions. It is clear that the PLP is not going to do anything but try to shoot the messenger.
It has been said that the Auditor General is engaged in examining a myriad of accounts to rule out malfeasance. I would guess she could be overwhelmed by the amount of accounts to be reviewed, and the necessity to be spot-on accurate because Mr. n Mrs. Bermuda do not really appear to want to know if their Government and its allies have been systematically raping the public purse.
Larry Denis, the previous Auditor General, tried to tell us but then had to deal with blatant attempts to discredit himself and his integrity. I pray Mrs. Matthews is made of strong stuff to withstand the hurricane that will come her way if she uncovers any negatives.
It appears you are having a hard time believing that the Union Members would be smart enough to realise that they are getting screwed, and an even harder time believing that they aren’t still blindly supporting the PLP. You really should give the general public a little more credit – perhaps they are smarter than you might think Real Talk.
The audit opinion is dated October 8th, 2007 and relates to the period ending 30 September 2002.
Apparently it took the BIU five years to arrange for these shoddy, non-specific “accounts’ and even then they are devoid of supporting schedules, significant accounting policies or any meaningful details.
All union members should be shocked and appalled that Union management have allowed their organisation to continue absent any proper or acceptable financial reporting standards.
In order to protect the financial interests of employees (which now seems necessary given the Union’s callous disregard for their legislated obligations) any employers (including the Government) of unionised staff should demand the BIU present union members with audited accounts before any further dues are advanced.
It’s ironic, sad and deplorable that a PLP Government has knowingly permitted the Union’s illegal activities to continue unabated under their watch and is yet another example of this Government’s inability to carry out their obligations and/or promises of transparency and accountability.
PLP: doing less with more (of our tax dollars)
Certainly the auditors should be asked a few questions about this!
However, isn’t this just part of our problem in Bermuda, where those at the top of what are largely black organizations (BIU, PLP, etc.) are constantly being implied in illegal, often disrespectful behavior. These men (and LF) who lead the union are also role models in our society. They are the fathers (absent or otherwise)of our ‘lost’ generation. It is no wonder we have lost these kids; look at the role models they have: leaders who defy the law and them collectively thumb their noses at the community. Disrespect at the highest levels will bring disrespect from those who would otherwise look to them for help. And Paula Cox, now there to ignore all this and pretend as if the last 5 years never happened; a team which will denigrate those in other parties not for what they say, but for who they are. A country lost in its own selfish world of power. But now more than ever, we know why: look at the 100s of millions of dollars at stake. Power means real money in Bermuda, a chance to line pockets, ignore the law, live large. And so having sold off the next generation into financial slavery, our leaders re-write the laws to make sure they keep their gravy hot.
Joe, it’s just not good enough for you to cast dispersions on Black run orgs., and give 2 and refer to others as etc. Be specific, name the others or shut it mate.I find it outrageous that you would suggests that fraud and corruption is the domain of black orgs. Are you F;n kidding me. Really?
I am appalled if Ernst & Young really did sign off on this. I am sure the national office would not condone such poor quality work product.
Blame it on the UBP…..
This is disturbing. Why has the Registrar General’s office allowed this go on?
It would be interesting to hear what Ernst & Young will have to say about the situation, in light of the release of these statements.
It is time for the Bermuda Government to step in and take corrective action. Silence on the matter will only heighten suspicions and impede public confidence.
This is a serious governance and ethics issue and should remain a news item until it is completely resolved.
http://bermudian.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/state-of-the-union/
The Registrar General is a Civil Servant whose boss is a Minister—Guess who?
Mr. Fahy, I “applaud” your noble efforts in trying to “whistleblow” on the BIU. So here is something I thought you’d find interesting as well. In 2007, your employer, Marsh & McLennan was successfully charged with bid rigging which resulted in settlements of close to $1b. Not to mention the following:
Marsh & McLennan Reaches $400 Million Settlement With State Pension Funds and Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (NJ & OH) –
A $400 million settlement has been reached in the class action securities lawsuit against Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., Marsh Inc., and former company executives Jeffrey Greenberg and Roger Egan (collectively “Marsh”), holding Marsh accountable for violating securities laws and harming the investments and retirement benefits of workers in Ohio and across the country. The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and its Board of Directors, which are entrusted to protect, administer and maintain the funds needed to care for injured workers, had joined the lawsuit to send the message that it will go after those who act to harm Ohio’s workers’ compensation funds. This settlement allows the BWC to recoup some of the losses incurred due to the wrongful acts of Marsh.
Maybe after you’ve solved the BIU issue you could look for some whistle blowing opportunities closer to home. All of Bda appreciates your efforts.
So I guess going off your “logic” Premier Cox can also be labeled as being somewhat “unethical” due to her previous employers infractions and resulting punishments and thus should be ignored?
http://www.insurance-advocate.com/ACE-Settles-Bid-Rigging-Charges-With-Spitzer-Mills-c465.html
So since they were caught bid-rigging we should also assume that Prem. Cox was also a part of this scheme in the US and thus should not be trusted. Did I get your premise right sir?
No it is stupid to assume the actions of ones employers, especially in a different jurisdiction, reflects on the character of someone employed by them, who had nothing to do with the infraction, and then infer because of this they should not be trusted.
But I get it, you nor your mother, can defend the indefensible. So instead try a true and tested method of denigrating the character of the messenger in a hope to distract the people from the real issue.
If that doesn’t work out for you, you can always revert back to the tactic of harassing 16 year old school girl on facebook or continually email an employer of a local blogger demanding his resignation due to his differing political ideologies.
@ Tired of nonsense,
That article speaks volumes, and neutralizes Vanz’s assassination attempt on Fahy. However, every effort will be made to shoot the messenger, and throw up the usual smoke screens and diversions, bearing in mind mama works for that organization. What amazes me is they don’t seem to realize how many people are asking the same questions. This issue will not simply fade away, as it is a serious matter!
It should be sorted out before we have another strike because the workers will certainly demand answers at that point, and will expect payment from the Union!!
There also seems to be a certain irony in an employee of a huge global company guilty of billion dollar financial crimes deciding to take exception with the misuse of the relatively small union dues of a relatively small labour union that has never been found guilty of any financial wrongdoings. It’s more than a bit odd that BIU members would seek out the former UBP chairman of all people to take up their cause. UBP/Corporate lawyer fights for worker’s rights – doesn’t add up. When in Bda’s history has this happened. Since when has the been so concerned that the BIU members are being treated fairly. This is the same party whose antagonism twd the BIU led to the infamous Belco riots. But were supposed to believe that former UBP senator, former UBP chairman and present corporate lawyer for the 5th largest insurance corporation in the US is somehow genuinely interested in the plight of our bus drivers, dockworkers and sanitation workers. Does not pass the smell test. It’d be like the BIU lawyers taking on themselves to make sure that the Governor is getting paid sufficiently and receiving his proper benefits – It’s that fantastical. Not surprising though, more divide and conquer tactics, much like they did with dock worker leader Joe Mill’s in the 50s with the stevedores planting lies about misuse of dues. It’s an old union busting trick that has been used many times the world over. Hopefully they don’t fall for it again.
There’s a certain amount of stupidity on you protecting wrongdoing on behalf of the Union. Or are you looking after momma again?
“There also seems to be a certain irony in an employee of a huge global company guilty of billion dollar financial crimes”…
You are talking about Paula Cox, right?
LOL well assuming all of what you say is correct…lets get back on the topic at hand..
do you think its ok that the last reported records are so shoddy..and do you think its ok that they havent reported any financial statements in the last decade?
lets see what your opinoin on the actual matter at hand is and not the person bringing it up.
@ vanz – What is really “odd” is that BIU members have had to turn to a former UBP chairman for help because the so-called ‘working people’s party’ has not championed the worker’s cause and forced the Union to do right!
So Vanz what say you about the missing financials for a decade and counting?
Or are you all about defining the messenger and avoiding the actual message?
It’s the only MO he has…he’s not good with facts and reality.
Hey Vanz,
You have put it just so brilliantly. I love it! You are so right!! I hope others see through this, as it seems like Fahy has a hidden agenda. It almost makes me laugh. Why does he go chase those big corporate fellows that help to bring down the world economy as well as put people in such bad financial positions?
I wonder if members of the Union actually did approach him, or is this personal cry for the UBP/OBA to say they will leave no stone uncovered if it means tearing down the Union. I cannot recall a time in Bermuda history when the UBP ever cared about the workers’ rights. I question if they really do now? There is no record of it, this makes this seem like he has a hidden agenda here. Guess it is a rush for votes. What a laugh. This matter is not something Fahy will win; it is for proper authorities to handle and the members to deal with. Members go to the Union for everything else, and they will take their concerns there now? How in the world can Fahy help them, except advertise and make news announcements to remind persons of what they already know??
Fahy does not represent the working men, and never has. Maybe he is trying to appeal to the union members to gain votes? His hope is that he can turn them away from Labour. His ploy is to print the BIU records to accomplish what? To say they have mis-managed funds to prove, what is already proven? Where is this going? Likely nowhere, as it will not be resolved by Fahy. He will not come out as the hero. Somehow he is looking for a great personal accomplishment to bath in the fault of the BIU. Really? This tells me that the UBP/OBA is not no different.
If it walks like a duck, it is a duck, Fahy seeking out what the information is already known to the public…. Keep up your news appearances… ??
So you would rather the Union get away with this because a person of the “other ” colour is pursuing it. This is so laughable. I was concerned when teachers were asked to join with the BIU insurance scheme. I hope teachers will not give them their money until they can produce audited up-to-date financial statements!
It is laughable, as he is not the person to investigate this matter. I believe it should be managed/evaluated by the correct authorities who deal with such matters, and I stand by my position. For Fahy to pursue it, it just looks like political posturing and political game playing. He is not the manager or head of BIU. The matter has been referred to the authorities, so let it be evaluated there. It does not reflect well for him to pursue the union, as this is an organization that has a regulatory body to answer to. If he had always shown interest in the average man, one might accept he is being honest in his pursue of honour.
Yes, but it’s not being dealt with, that’s the whole point!! Take off your blinders, and open your mind just a little. Perhaps then, you will begin to see the bigger picture. My oh my we DO have a very uneducated population…
He’s not investigating it. He’s keeping it in the public eye, that’s his job.
LOL the whole point is that its NOT being dealt…. he’s not the one who will be looking into it, he’s hte one bring it up until it becomes dealt with.
you have yet to say whether it is right or wrong that htey have no filed reports in almost a decade.
the sad thing is, the regulatory body that the union answers too only seems to be the same body that let it off the hook for almost $7mil… thats not very regulatory…
@ Tired of nonsense – re;[name removed] – i am a shareholder in the insurance company he works for – judging from his time stamps on his blog – he was blogging about politics when he should’ve been working – i bought this up to the VP of shareholder relations in the NYC office and she apologized and agreed that he was in violation of company policy and was duly reprimanded – as he should have – he has since closed that blog – if his employer thought it was okay – they would’ve let him continue – they didn’t – i would say job well done on their part – they don’t pay him to be a political blogger – they pay himo sell insurance – and as far as the alleged young women who ran that goofy bermudians against Dr. Brown facebook site – if they were posting things like ” i cant wait to piss on Premier Dr. Brown’s grave” then yeah they should be called on it – as a matter of fact – some of the things that were posted on their fb page would get u arrested in the US – so yeah um, i could care less if their feelings were hurt
Vanz – as is well known, the blogger who you stalked has not closed down his blog and he was not reprimanded at all for his activities by his company. Your record in harassing people online is well known (BHS students on facebook, expats on various forums).
I know two other members of the BIU who have voiced concerns to external parties after getting no internal respect for their worries about the terrible accounting and vast sums paid to a small clique of insiders.
@vanz,
I have a hard time believing that you would have taken the same steps (i.e. contacting the VP of Shareholder Relations) if the blogger was pro-PLP. Please save your nonsense for someone that cannot think rationally. And as the above poster mentioned the said blog is still in operation.
In regards to the 16 year old girls that you harassed like some sort of obsessed sociopath, the comment you noted above was not made by them. I remember it being in the paper and actually remember the poster’s name. He was a much older MAN and had nothing to do with the facebook group in question. The group was something along the lines of “Promoting Good Governance in Bermuda.” You took that as a swipe at Dr. Brown and began your tireless tirade against a bunch of high school girls. You took offense because you know and still know full well that the former premier was far from being a beacon of responsible and good governance. It was your conscience that got to you and you acted out in the exact same manner that you have been taught. That is attack and harass the messenger because you cannot actually refute the actual message.
You are sick mate no matter how you spin it. And I challenge you to produce the posts that would have them locked up in America. I will be waiting with bared breath but little optimism that you will actually rise to the challenge.
It is also interesting and very much telling that in all of the posts on this thread you have failed once to actually address the issue at hand. So what is your opinion on the almost decades worth of missing audited financials for the BIU? Should they be reprimanded for failing to adhere to their legislated responsibilities/requirements? Don’t you believe that the members, who pay their dues monthly, have a right to know where there hard earned $$$ are being spent?
Also, what does the UBP debt have anything to do with this BIU issue? Stop rrying to deflect from the matter at hand and man up and address the concerns. Or be a b*tch and start on one of your infamous racist tirades as a means to redirect attention to the other hand.
Vanz you are one to talk, as it was you spreading pic about US Blacks being dragged around by trucks and hang pics on the PLP blogs before 2007 election and if you had been reported to the Canadain authorities you would have been prosecuted for spreading hate propaganda like the guy in Albert a few years back. It must be election time again for you to blabin on here. Protect your mom’s party all you want people know you for what you are…….
LOL
I was one of the first persons to comment on this issue on this blog and accurately predicted that the messenger would be subjected to bitter personal attacks for having the temerity to ask why the BIU has not complied with the law of the land and produced their financial statements for the past 12 years. As a Bermuda Senator he is duty bound to ask questions if and when he sees anything that appears to be amiss, whether it’s the BIU or any other organization. The easiest way to silence Senator Fahy on this issue is for the BIU to actually comply with the law and produce accurate audited financial statements for the past 12 years.
That is clearly not going to happen without some outside pressure on the BIU. We now have a new Premier who is doing her best to move forward and demonstrate that our Government is accountable to the public. I call on the Premier to meet with the Registrar General, or whoever is responsible for ensuring that companies comply with the laws of the land. If the BIU is failing to comply with the law then legal action should be taken to get them into full compliance – plain and simple. The best way to show that you have nothing to hide is to hide nothing, especially legally required financial statements.
No one will have to silence Fahy, as the process will take the road it is presume to take. This matter was not exposed by Fahy. Some only recognized it because of their political affiliations. This matter has been in the public eye for some time now, long before Fahy decided to champion the cause, for political gain. The problem has been put in the hands of the proper authorities, so Fahy role as politician requires that he no longer needs to act as private investigator. Where and when has he investigated any other organization that has met with the same difficulties? Never! Yes it is political posturing for him, as I see no other reason.
This matter should be reviewed/ examine by those in authority to take the appropriate route of action. The members also have a right to demand, from the Union. What real action can Fahy take, except posing in the newspaper on a regular basis and maybe trying to dictate to the authorities how to perform their roles. That does not ensure anything, except good politicking. I believe the process will follow the course of action that is outline under the correct policies and law, and not as a result of any action by Mr Fahy. But of course he will attempt to claim victory for that, which he did not do !
Mmm. Now this really does present a problem to the Government/PLP. If they move forward and take action to correct what appears to be an illegal act – i.e. failing to publish legally required annual financial statements for the past 12 years – then it might appear that they did so because of Senator Fahy’s constant criticism. Does this mean that even if it is illegal the Government and the authorities should do nothing about it, ignore the facts, and allow the BIU to continue breaking the law. I wonder which one they will choose.
I also wonder if someone like Larry Burchall would be willing to write an article outlining what is known about the history of this situation and what is required under the law.
You are correct in so much as Fahy didn’t expose this, it’s been around for a while now. However, he is correct to keep it in the spotlight since the PLP (and their idiot supporters) would rather that “this too shall pass”.
The BIU has abused it’s position, it’s members, and the PLP have allwoed it to happen WITH the support of taxpayer $’s.
What happened to the construction fund? The performance bond…? I think we all know.
Wonder if any of the funds in question went to the PLP campaign trunk………….
LOL
“This matter should be reviewed/ examine by those in authority to take the appropriate route of action.”
These “appropriate” authorities have known about the issue for almost a decade now and have failed to act. So what makes you think that they will all of a sudden wake out of their slumber and fulfill their duties?
So when a politician is questioning the financials of an independent agency it’s good and noble and he’s a champion of the common man but when individuals question the motives behind this politician questioning the financials of an unrelated entity giving the appearance of an attempt to win votes it’s “shooting the messenger”… but PLP supporters are the naive “sheeple”… Got it.
For the record I’m not a supporter of any party – UBP/PLP/OBA/BDA… but I do have one hell of a BS detector and the dial is currently going nuts over this story. Of course it is outrageous that the Union has had unaudited statements for 12 years. Of course it should be investigated… if and when the Union members who are supposedly demanding it call for it… Until then it is none of the OBA’s (or ANY other party for that matter) business.
So the Opposition isn’t supposed to ask why the government isn’t requiring the BIU to obey the law?
As an observation, if those financial statements, such as they are, are even close to being correct, how could the government of the day have accepted a bond from Union Asset Holdings when it’s clear that the BIU could never have afforded to pay the bond if called to do so?
Real talk, what you say is true most of the time..
in this case though, as soon as the govt let the biu off the hook for the $7 mil, then their finances definitely became govt’s and the opposition’s business. It was public money they owed and didnt pay, so public officials, IMO, now have the right to question what is going on there.
@ Common Sense – 1st, he is not a senator, he is not an elected official, his only official role is that as a corporate lawyer for a large insurance company. My posts re fahy do no attack him – it simply highlights the oddness of the situation – he’s a lawyer for a company that has been fined several times for financial wrongdoing and was recently fined 400 million dollars for screwing over retired union workers in re; to their benefits – not only that but until recently he was a card carrying member of the UBP, a party who historically has been anti BIU – something is wrong with that picture – and if fahy is genuinely interested in organizations following financial regulations – why is he not attacking the UBP for not repaying the debt it incurred during the 2007 election – as a matter of fact he was chairman of that party while that debt was sitting there – and he left the party and seems to have no plans to help it repay that debt – so yes, when a corporate lawyer for a company guilty of financial wrongdoings who was the chairman of the anti union party says that he wants to help union members out of the goodness of his heart – it sounds like a lie and it makes no sense.
Again going off your “logic” I guess you believe that Prem. Cox’s proposed Procurement Office, regarding the official bidding process for Govt contracts, should be duly ignored given the fact that during her time as a general counsel at Ace they were fined for bid-rigging in the US. You must agree right? I mean you have to as that is no different than your insinuations about Fahy right? You wouldn’t want to be a hypocrite now would you.
You know what is really “wrong with this picture?” That is an organization has failed to fulfill its statutory obligations and the Govt has failed to act upon it. Why?
again, you fail to say whether it is ok for the biu to continue this practice. focus on teh issue.
@ vance
It is understood that you have an obligation to take that position, because you have a vested interest. I don’t know what circles you move around in, but worker interest in this shambles is perhaps greater than you think.
Apologies—-should read vanz
Van please provide links to UBP debt in the 2007 elections so people who have not heard this before can see it 1. 2 As far as Marsh he works for Marsh Bermuda operations so why do you bring in the US branch into the discussion right propaganda just so you know he worked for IAS which was bought by Marsh some years age and how could he be even partial responcible for outside deals takin place before him. Every thing that comes out your month sounds like twisted truth ie the events may have happened but how you link them together is all in your head go back to whatching your signed copy of “Drop Zone”…………….
LOL
Vanz, a few questions.
1. If Mr Fahy were to do as you want and wait for a card-carrying union and PLP member to bring this issue to light, would the facts of the case change?
2. If a person becomes aware of dishonesty, fraud, etc, do you think it’s a good thing for that person to bring those things to light, or do you think the person should only bring them to light if he (or she) is a member of the organisation that has potentially committed the wrongdoing?
3. Are you comfortable with potential dishonesty being overlooked if the person who finds it is not directly involved?
@ Rockfish – i have no obligation – i do know my history and i do know that the union has historically been falsely accused of misusing dues as a way to discredit them – this is nothing new that fahy is doing – the union is a democratic org – if the members think that leadership is failing them then vote them out – fahy is doing nothing bu trying to score political points – and as usual i doubt if many of the posters here even understand what his filing issue is all about – all they know is what the gazette and the UBP say – there seems o be a war between the sheeple in bda – the white sheep who blindly follow the gazette and the black sheep who follow the plp – i suggest we look at what is going on in the UK w/ murdoch and see just how devious a daily newspaper can be
“suggest we look at what is going on in the UK w/ murdoch and see just how devious a daily newspaper can be”
Agreed. Lets start with the Worker’s Voice.
Bernews – Any chance of posting my earlier posts as they seem to be still awaiting moderation from this morning. Thanks in advance.
Sorry, was up in Somerset for a while at the cannabis thing, so have a backlog from that time away, done now…
No worries.
Hope yuo enjoyed your cannabis thing;)
Not everyone is as dense as you seem to think.
The issues is simple. The Trade Union Act requires any Union to submit, annually, their audited year end financials. The BIU has not done so in a decade. This equates to a violation of the legislation. There has been no inference from any party that the fees have been mis-used. No one knows if they have or not because there are no financials outlining their financial position. Only you brought up some made up incinuation that the BIU is misusing member fees.
It doesn’t take a genius to understand what constitutes breaking the law. So tell me, and others, how Fahy or the RG has misled anyone? What part is false?
@ tired of nonsense – i only think ur dense – and what do u mean there has been no inference of misuse – did u even read the article above before u started ur regularly scheduled complaining – fahy says “We have learned, for example, that despite the failures to produce approved, audited statements for 12 years, the union’s finance team is paid $418,000 a year. This pay-out is remarkable considering the year-to-year failures to comply with the basic, legally binding reporting requirements.” sounds like he’s inferring that the union money being used to pay the finance team is somehow being misused as they are paying for something hey are not getting. U should get a thesaurus, it is possible to say things in several different ways. My test for whether anyone is clueless is if they don’t get that the gazette is a biased organ that pretends to be unbiased – the worker’s voice has the BIU emblem on it – it makes no bones about that – apples and oranges – the fact that u don’t see that the gazette is nothing but misleading reminds me of the test where they ask inner city blks and suburban whites what they feel about the police – their answers are miles apart, opposite in fact – much like ur take on the gazette
Vanz,
You are suggesting the ‘gazette’ is a ‘biased organ’. This story was reported on Bernews, so is Bernews similarly biased, in your view? Or is it just anybody that reports on the deficiencies of the union that is ‘biased’?
So where are the misleading comments again?
Ahh, I know you feel threatened now. The racism is starting to pour out of your ignorant mouth. Typical cowardly fashion.
So again point out where any of the comments have been misleading?
“We have learned, for example, that despite the failures to produce approved, audited statements for 12 years, the union’s finance team is paid $418,000 a year. This pay-out is remarkable considering the year-to-year failures to comply with the basic, legally binding reporting requirements”
That does not INSINUATE that misappropriations of members due are occurring. That is your guilty, hate filled conscience speaking again.
What that comment means that for a finance team, that has repeatedly failed to ensure their figures are audited, to be paid nearly half a million dollars a year is ludicrous. What are they getting paid for if they cannot ensure a simple annual procedure (that thousands of local companies perform) like having their financials audited? How do the members know that they are worth their salaries if they cannot even produce one single audited financial in over a decade?
I know you are not stupid and I know you know that is exactly what Fahy meant. You realized he had a point and now you must seek a way to twist the comment into something it was not in order to attack the messenger.
Like I said must be election time.
@ tired of nonsense, also insinuate is spelled w/ an s not a c – so b4 u accuse someone of something maybe u should learn how 2 spell it 1st
So no reply on whether you think that this is an issue or not? My incorrect spelling is more important to you then an organization failing to fulfill its legislated obligations?
I bet you if it was a white owned company pulling this sh*t you would be all over it.
It must be election time if your hate filled a$$ is starting to spread your bullsh*t again.
Continue on, but all right minded people know exactly what you are about. And it ain’t nothing right minded.
@ TON, “I bet you if it was a white owned company pulling this sh*t you would be all over it.” Ahh, I know you feel threatened now. The racism is starting to pour out of your ignorant mouth. Typical cowardly fashion.
Oh no, not that crazy bdan concept where blacks r the racists and whites r the victims – zzzzzzzz – come different – that’s getting old – if u don’t believe what i post – that’s ur choice – life goes on – doesn’t change the fact corporate lawyers don’t all of a sudden go and fight for union workers out of the goodness of their heart – the RG article is headlined “Fahy continues campaign for BIU to disclose its finances” – what does that insinuate – that there’s something proper or improper about their finances?
“Continue on, but all right minded people know exactly what you are about. And it ain’t nothing right minded.”
um, okay – if u say so – as i like to say, Bda cement went – no one cared, the mid ocean died, no one cared, the ubp died, no one cared, the BDSA formed, no one cared – u get the picture – but hey u keep being right minded – i’ll just be right
Isn’t Prem Cox a corporate lawyer by trade as well?
And I did not say anything about blacks being racist. You, yes definitely.
My whole point was that if a white organization failed to comply with this requirement and failed to provide adequate responses from the upper echelons of the organization, you would be claiming that is more evidence of how white employers are racist and use their black labor to become rich. You know you would. Then maybe you will post pictures of US lynching and other atrocities that has nothing to do with Bermuda as a means to conjure up more hate against white people of this country. You have already proven yourself many times before, so don’t deny it
That’s how you roll.
And to just reiterate another poster’s entry a few lines up:
@ vanz – What is really “odd” is that BIU members have had to turn to a former UBP chairman for help because the so-called ‘working people’s party’ has not championed the worker’s cause and forced the Union to do right!
Interesting you ignore such valid pointzzzzzzzzzzzz……
Slaver happened no one cared……….Vans all you’ve proved is that a majority is not always right… you are definitely your mothers child to bad you never grew up………….
LOL
now i gotta go – i have a meeting about how to destroy Butterfield and Vallis
And don’t forget to seek out some more high school girls to harass and intimidate while you are at it.
Notice how you failed once to address the concerns on this issue. Can’t defend it can you, so ignore it all together. Typical coward.
Hey look, I have on an electronic hood like Tired of Nonsense – posting anonymously makes ur pointz meaningless
Ahhh Vanz.
Don’t feel threatened.
I just want to talk.
So in regards to the anonymous posters who retain the same thought process and opinions as you, are their “pointz meaningless” as well.
I love it when you can’t refute a point. You get all racial on my a$$. It is cute and a sure sign of insecurity.
You need hugs.
@ tired of nonsense – as is said b4 – u don’t read these posts b4 u spk do u: “Notice how you failed once to address the concerns on this issue. Can’t defend it can you, so ignore it all together. Typical coward.”
I posted this yesterday – as u’ll see about 20 posts up:
” and as far as the alleged young women who ran that goofy bermudians against Dr. Brown facebook site – if they were posting things like ” i cant wait to piss on Premier Dr. Brown’s grave” then yeah they should be called on it – as a matter of fact – some of the things that were posted on their fb page would get u arrested in the US – so yeah um, i could care less if their feelings were hurt
“
Here was my reply and challenge that you ignored for some “odd” reason:
In regards to the 16 year old girls that you harassed like some sort of obsessed sociopath, the comment you noted above was not made by them. I remember it being in the paper and actually remember the poster’s name. He was a much older MAN and had nothing to do with the facebook group in question. The group was something along the lines of “Promoting Good Governance in Bermuda.” You took that as a swipe at Dr. Brown and began your tireless tirade against a bunch of high school girls. You took offense because you know and still know full well that the former premier was far from being a beacon of responsible and good governance. It was your conscience that got to you and you acted out in the exact same manner that you have been taught. That is attack and harass the messenger because you cannot actually refute the actual message.
You are sick mate no matter how you spin it. And I challenge you to produce the posts that would have them locked up in America. I will be waiting with bated breath but little optimism that you will actually rise to the challenge.
@ tired of nonsense – ur not serious – ur points make no sense – rather than worry about BIU members fahy needs 2 worry about the loss of members from his own party (4 since the last election ie almost 30%)– and it’s not a good look when the leader of ur party leaves to become a backbencher for ur opponent – as far as “i need hugs, i’m a racists, i’m hate filled, it must be election time”, c’mon now, these tired old accusations – boring, non effective, meaningless coming from fake posters, for all i know ur an old retired UK teacher living back in a pensioners apt. or some goofy slatus student (god, i’m really wasting my time engaging u) – as far as refuting “ur really well made points” – who cares – i only care about my point which is, and i repeat, its’ a fantasy that the anti union party chairman of the party that has defaulted on it’s election loans and who is a corporate lawyer for a company guilty of abusing the pension funds of union workers is genuinely interested in the $100 union member fees are being used. it’s a joke and i suspect a lie. my bet is that no BIU union member has approached fahy to do this. if they had then why has he not named them – meanwhile – i’m gonna go look for some hugs now and then hate on some white ppl in my hood and then harass idiotic alleged 16 yr old political activists – clown
Rather be a clown.
At least a clown is funny.
You, you are just sick and twisted and a coward for ignoring the actual issue.
But we all know that’s how you roll.3
My points make no sense because they are points that you know full well you can’t refute.
My bet is that you know that what the BIU is doing (or hasn’t done) is wrong and unlawful. Knowing the facts you came out of your hole to spread misinformation and hate against the messenger. Sad, sad little man you are.
Again isn’t Premier Cox a corporate lawyer by trade?
@ tired of nonsense – ur not serious – ur points make no sense – rather than worry about BIU members fahy needs 2 worry about the loss of members from his own party (4 since the last election ie almost 30%)– and it’s not a good look when the leader of ur party leaves to become a backbencher for ur opponent – as far as “i need hugs, i’m a racists, i’m hate filled, it must be election time”, c’mon now, these tired old accusations – boring, non effective, meaningless coming from fake posters, for all i know ur an old retired UK teacher living back in a pensioners apt. or some goofy saltus/bhs student (god, i’m really wasting my time engaging u) – as far as refuting “ur really well made points” – who cares – i only care about my point which is, and i repeat, its’ a fantasy that the anti union party chairman of the party that has defaulted on it’s election loans and who is a corporate lawyer for a company guilty of abusing the pension funds of union workers is genuinely interested in how the $100 union member fees are being used. it’s a joke and i suspect a lie. my bet is that no BIU union member has approached fahy to do this. if they had then why has he not named them – meanwhile – i’m gonna go look for some hugs now and then hate on some white ppl in my hood and then harass idiotic alleged 16 yr old political activists – clown
@ vanz – Sincere apologies for referring to Mr. Fahy as a Senator. As I stated earlier, I am not into politics or political affiliations, and don’t follow too closely who is in and out of the Senate or who is in which party and who jumped ship or changed affiliations etc. But I accurately predicted that in this case the messenger would be subjected to bitter personal attacks for raising the issue of the BIU having failed for the past 12 years to submit their audited financial statements as required by law. You have proved this prediction in spades.
Can vanz please answer this simple question? Is the BIU required under the law to submit their annual financial statements? The answer to this question is either yes” or “no.” If the answer is yes it surely does not require a member or past member of the BIU to come forward to make a complaint. I seriously doubt if the law says that the only person who can raise this matter must be a member of the BIU, or the PLP for that matter.
If the answer is “no” then the matter ends as far as I am concerned, but I want to be satisfied that that is the case. I recall a statement from former Senator David Burch, for whom I have the highest regard as one of our politicians who always spoke his mind, and who once said words to the effect that we have laws on the books and it is time they were all ENFORCED. He was always direct!
So “vanze”, with hands on heart please let us all know what the law says, or does not say, about the BIU producing and submitting annual financial statements because, at the end of the day, this is the issue under question.
If this question is too difficult or legally complicated for you to answer, perhaps Senator Laverne Furbert could make a public statement explaining why the BIU is now exempt from this law. I presume that they must have complied with it until 12 years ago! As an official spokesperson and employee of the BIU she will be intimately aware of their legal responsibilities and should be able to set us all straight.
If either vanz or Senator Furbert fail to answer this very simple question then we will all know the answer – through their silence.
Can vanz please answer this simple question? I will answer when u answer mine – from what i understand there are a multitude of different aspects of paperwork that has no been filed across the board by many bdan organizations, political, private and business’ – it happens all over the world – my accountant says she only files taxes every 3 yrs and shes a tax acct. – some hings are not by the letter of the law but are not malicious – the real question is why Fahy, the anti union party chairman of the party that has defaulted on it’s election loans and who is a corporate lawyer for a company guilty of abusing the pension funds of union workers is genuinely interested in the $100 union member fees are being used.
That’s great that your accountant does that in a foreign country.
The law states that every financial institution and Trade Union operating within and from Bermuda is required to file ANNUAL audited financials.
The real question is for a finance team making over $400k a year why haven’t they been able to produce an audited report for over a decade now?
The other real question is why hasn’t the ruling Party, the one that professes to be all about the workers, ignored this legislated requirement for over a decade? Why aren’t they holding the Union acountable?
And why are you ignoring the actual issue at hand and go off on some tangent about Fahy? Something to hide vanzie?
I guess Crazi tired/Vanz is a little worried about how the light being shone on how some lifestyles/University fees were funded over the last 20 years or so…
How about the subject of your next documentary – how overweight middle class Black Bermudians try to become urban auteurs by ripping off Spike Lee and traumatising BHS students?
LOL…that’s excellent.
@ d’lai leverock – is that ur diss, really, calling someone overweight, really, c’mon now – and whats this obsession w/ BHS – would it be okay if it was Berkeley students dissing Dunkley and i called them on their hate – u must not know me – if liek 4 years ago, [edited] and whoever else again started a hateful fb page with untrue postings about ppl i know and my family members – then i again would call them on it – btw why aren’t they marching on parliament anymore – lol
ps – thx for calling me middle class – what a compliment
Show us the supposed “hate filled” quotes by the 16 year old girls that would have them “locked up in the US?”
Bet you can’t, coward.
Well no considering 1. it was over 4 yrs ago and 2, i see that they have taken down their facebook page 3. nice try 4. dude/woman ur using an alias to post i’s ridiculous 4 u 2 call someone a coward 5. even those dibby bhs students used their names in their hateful attacks on dr. brown 6. i’m done responding to u
I‘ve been patiently waiting for vanz to respond to my request of 20th July re answering the simple question, “Is the BIU legally required by law to submit audited financial statements?” On this point he is silent. The only response was from Tired of Craziness who goes off on a complete tangent which has nothing whatever to do with the question.
For that reason I decided to check for myself. I refused to accept Mr. Fahy’s allegation of the BIU breaking the law without first checking on the facts. I feel I should now apologize to Mr. Fahy for doubting his statement. For anyone wanting to check on the truth you can go to Bermuda Laws Online – type in Trade Union Act, and up she comes. Check on section 18 (1) which clearly states that the audited statements (of each Trade Union) shall be submitted to the Registrar before the first day of June each year. It goes on to say that, “every officer of a trade union which fails to comply with this section commits an offence against this Act”.
Not much doubt about that! The BIU has failed for the past 12 years to submit acceptable financial statements (none at all since 2003) and each and every officer is committing an offence by their failure to comply with the law.
The usual spokesperson for the BIU is Senator Laverne Furbert, and she is also silent on the issue. Not sure if she is an officer of the BIU but if so she would be one of those who is committing an offence. Hopefully, that’s not the case because if would be highly embarassing to have a sitting Senator committing a continuing offence under the Trade Union Act. What is sure is that the BIU is getting away with breaking the law and nothing appears to be done about it.
I have to wonder if the BPSU submit their financial statements on time – chances are they do so every year in accordance with the law. The question then should be, “If the BPSU can do it why can’t the biggest Union on the Island do it?.”
There may be a perception that the BIU is so closely aligned to the PLP that Government will simply ignore enforcing the law, but we now have a new Premier who is promising to improve standards of governance and promising to operate with complete transparency. This is a golden opportunity for Premier Cox to demonstrate that no-one and no organization is above the law. All it needs is for Premier Cox to ask the Registrar-General to pursue this matter and take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the BIU is complying with the laws of the land. Nuff said.
I recall Fahy raising this matter when he was BDA I think.
ahhh common sense has solved it, we can all rest better. Did u find out if the ABUT and BPSU etc are all up to date or just the BIU?
@vanz – thanks for appreciating the point that rather than attacking the messenger (Mr. Fahy) we should compare the BIU’s failure to submit their audited financial statements for the past 12 years with the record of other unions right here at home. Have the ABUT and the BPSU also broken the law for years without anyone even commenting. It’s not my job to seek those answers but it sure would shine a light on the situation – and that’s what we need here – transparency. Then we can all rest better.