More costly capital financing?

[Valley]

This "off the books" government financing simply seem like a more costly exercise in the longer run. Since the private lender will probably be able to take advantage of capital cost allowances, or other financing vehicles, the true cost of both direct and indirect expenditures will be hard to trace.

So far this process seems neither open nor transparent - which should interest the provincial auditor in longer run assessments of the actual costs of this financing.

[Emerald]

Article in ROB yesterday has SNC Lavalin receiving a contract to extend HWY 25 (I think) in Montreal. Looks as if it will be a toll road. If so at least the payback is transparent. So far I have not seen ANY indication of how the private companies will be paid back for their participation in the KGH renewal. I assume they want to be paid back.

[posting]

The following process for considering public services is from a recent report by the Pacific Institute, BEYOND PRIVATIZATION: RESTRUCTURING WATER SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE (http://www.kingstonelectors.ca/article.php?id=353)

-- Kingston Electors

"allowing values and beliefs to overshadow the factual and analytical part of the decision often leads to costly outcomes that polarize and divide communities"

While values and beliefs certainly have their place in any decision about utility restructuring, allowing values and beliefs to overshadow the factual and analytical part of the decision often leads to costly outcomes that polarize and divide communities. Experience in the upper Midwest shows better-performing utilities:

• have staff in the right numbers and of the right kind
• know what assets they own and the condition of those assets
• are consistently funded at adequate levels because they use a wide range of techniques to control costs and to maintain financial credibility with their communities through continuous communication
• measure performance and provide rewards or penalties as appropriate in order to ensure that staff at all levels are encouraged to either improve the quality or reduce the cost of service
• make decisions in open processes, with transparency and public participation and periodic third-party reviews, thereby avoiding even the appearance that corruption or "private agendas" are driving the decision process, and
• if restructuring is needed, avoid a false start by identifying the symptoms and underlying causes of the problems people are facing—and discussing the full range of solutions that might be implemented— before deciding to undertake potentially controversial actions such as changing from a public to private or a private to public utility structure.
The choice of public versus private structure is important because it involves social values such as public health, affordability of essential services,
and the general approach of each community to satisfaction of basic needs. But our research shows that with respect to performance — how much or how many services get delivered per dollar of rates paid by customers — the choice of public versus private is not nearly as relevant as the bulleted points above.

-- BEYOND PRIVATIZATION: RESTRUCTURING WATER SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, Pacific Institute, December 2005 (http://www.kingstonelectors.ca/article.php?id=353)

[Lydia]

I recently seen this letter in the Kingston Whig. This has upset me a little.

Former head of KGH author of his own misfortune;

Joe de Mora, the former chief executive officer of Kingston General Hospital, does not deserve all the accolades being heaped upon him.

Taxpayers should understand that de Mora accepted a very highly paid position as an administrator serving the provincial government of the day and any succeeding government. The job required him to implement the policies of the government, with a special focus on resolving the conflict between the local hospitals and introducing strong fiscal management. If at any time he felt that he could not accept government policies, he had an obligation to formally notify the government of this and tender his resignation.

Once de Mora took his advocacy activities outside the normal internal chain of command to the public and political frontier, he forced the provincial government to take action. The government had no choice but to let de Mora continue to build the case for his own dismissal. This is a standard procedure in government, because, as everyone knows, it takes years to fire even a junior non-performing civil servant.

The real kiss of death was administered when the union at KGH jumped into the fire on de Mora's behalf. I can't imagine any union cozying up to an effective administrator. Every taxpayer in this city should be concerned about that alliance and where our taxpayer dollars are going. I say this because there is a long history in government of administrative organizations such as agencies, boards and commissions falling into the age-old trap of becoming advocates for those they are responsible for administering. These are two very different and conflicting roles.

I have to admit that it is always much more pleasant to swim downstream with the crowd, as opposed to always having to swim upstream against the flow. But administrators are well-paid and they should earn their income or do the right thing.

Howard Stone
Kingston

[Lydia]

When I first read the following article in the Kingston Whig, I was very upset with Howard’s opinion on Joe de Mora’s dismissal. After taking a few moments to calm down, I realized how much Howard has gives us a great service. Let me explain.

I don’t know Mr. De Mora, let alone even met him. I don’t know if he does or does not deserve accolades. As a Taxpayer I only know that a hospital needs an administrator that the provincial government of the day hires. I NEVER KNEW THAT THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT WOULD HIRE THAT ADMINISTRATOR TO FIGHT WITH THE UNIONS OR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. Stupid me, I always thought that the government would hire people in high positions for the betterment of the public, taxpayers, etc. Now I realize that these high paid officials are there ONLY to serve the GOVERNMENT.

I understand that his job required him to implement the policies of the government, with a special focus on resolving the conflict between the local hospitals and introducing strong fiscal management. That I FULLY agree with and that should MUST be his duties. However, I now have a question. When the government of the day is WRONG, RUTHLESS, COULDN’T GIVE A DANG ABOUT THE PUBLIC’S HEALTH OR SAFETY WHAT HAPPENS NOW? DOES THAT MEAN THE PEOPLE THE GOVERNMENT HIRES SHOULD BE FIRED WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICIES WILL ONLY HURT THE PUBLIC AND THE STAFF WORKING FOR THE HOSPITAL?. (I am not saying that that was the case, I really don’t know)

Who would you prefer to run the hospital? An uncaring, stern, by the book administrator or a caring, tell it as it is, type person. Keep in mind I don’t think that the Administrator’s job is to FIGHT with the front end staffers who do their jobs and deserve better working conditions.

What is wrong with administrators to hold on to his advocacy views and work towards making the working conditions and JOB better? (Again I don’t know if he did or didn’t) I want an advocate who will work for ME (PATIENT).

I am not saying that the government should not have stepped in here. What I am asking for is more information on HOW, WHERE, WHEN, ON WHAT, did Joe de Mora misuse his position as an administrator.

Howard, you are total correct when you say that it takes years to fire even a junior non-performing civil servant. This is also a pain in my side. If an employee doesn’t perform to the job that is given him due to being lazy, drunk, rude, etc, then those should be fired on the spot and never allowed to remain as an employee for the government. Unfortunately, our taxes goes towards those type of salaries.. How did any of those apply to Mr. De Mora?

As I see it (only from your information here) Joe de Mora WORKED WITH UNIONS at the KGH. You say that you can’t imagine any administrator cozying up to unions. Okay please explain. Why can’t an admistrator perform their function in keeping the hospital, fiscally responsible, health driven, well run and still have a great relationship with the people they hire? Aren’t the staff also taxpayers?? Believe it or not there are countries on this earth that actually do have that kind of relationships. Isn’t it more fiscally responsible to have the staff happy with their wages, able to keep their families off welfare, not having to depend on government assistance (also draining tax money). I know if I was working, that would make me work harder, better, etc because I would want to work for the hospital or any other department. Maybe the reason a junior non-performing civil servant is that way is because the Government doesn’t respect anyone who doesn’t work to rule.

Trust me every taxpayer in this city is concerned about that alliance and where our taxpayer dollars are going. I say that is high time that boards and commissions SHOULD fall into the age-old trap of becoming advocates for those they are responsible for administering, which is the PUBLIC and not the Government. It is the Government that should also fall into that age-old trap which they have not done for a long long time.

Administrators are well-paid and they should earn their income or do the right thing not just pay homage to the Government. Is their high wages given to them only because they have to destroy relationships between the public that hire the Government, workers who work for the government? After all Howard, the UNION is made up of us all. They are our taxpayers. The governmental departments do not take care of us in the hospital like the staffers do.

Only a thought Howard, Since I know that you mean well in your position on this. So help us understand this better by letting us know exactly why Mr. De Mora was overthrown. I agree with you fully if he chose to spend money needlessly without thought for the public’s health. In that case, GOODBYE SO LONG MR. DE MORA. However, the public still doesn’t know yet exactly why he was ousted out.

Lydia MacPherson.

[hddan]

This is a very complex and emotionally charged issue.

Every person has a different view of how "P3's" work and it varies even more if the daily operations are included in this privatization. This may work well in some business that manufactures and / or has relatively fixed costs. It doesn't apply well to the health care industry. The fluid costs of providing quality health care was undoubtedly Mr. de Mora's downfall. How do you deal with lack of Nurses (pay overtime), unsuspected numbers of patients / illnesses, lack of long term beds (can't discharge them) and the list goes on. If you let go of staff then you can't take care of the patients in a timely manner and you expose them to longer waits and hospital bred diseases. Currently some departments in the Kingston hospitals have the supervision of the workers under private companies. I suspect in time all the services will be contracted out. This is under the direction of your Local Health Intergration Network (LHIN's).

I have worked in the health care field under the government and also under a public board. Government far surpasses the others for lower staffing costs and staying on budget. As well staff satisfaction and retention were superior. The benefits included better patient care, happier staff, etc.. But the focus now is weighted more towards costs then quality care. Until the Public complains more, the dismantling of our hospitals will continue under the original Harris / Tories plan. The Liberals have done little to change the course of this plan. Pity, the ones that really need the system, are the ones that will suffer the most.

[Lydia]

Thanks Hiddan, your imput on this matter is extremely well stated and informative. Gives the ordinary person something to really think about.

It is for this reason that I would want further information on the 'WHYS" someone was dismissed. I personally believe that it is a political dismissal however I have no proof. I would love to get proof and If I ever do, I will be more than happy to have it placed on our site.

Thanks again Hiddan for your input.