About 20 souls from the North Shore and St. Joseph Island braved the bitter cold and gathered at the Jocelyn Township Community Hall for Matthews Memorial Hospital Association (MMHA) annual general meeting and election of directors.
The morning meeting was dominated by the successful fundraising efforts and the volunteer work by the association over the past year and its goals for improvements to BridgeLink Medical Centre in the coming year.
MMHA chair Lavera Crack read a one-year-old letter as requested from Bev Robinson, president of the North Shore Health Network (NSHN) Auxiliary then opened the floor to the gallery when NSHN Director Doug Clute who asked if the board had received any recent correspondence from the (NSHN) Foundation.
Crack acknowledged the receipt of a letter from the North Shore Health Network Foundation she received recently, but deferred commenting.
The letter was not read, nor was it available to the gallery.
MMHA board member Mark Henderson noted the content of the letter should be discussed in closed session, not when the media was present.
Crack added that the board had just received the letter and an election was about to take place which saw two new faces around the table and the board would need time to bring those members up to speed while gathering information before responding to the foundation.
Several shareholders present were left with, "that's as clear as mud."
A lengthy discussion followed as to who is the NSHN Richards Landing-Mathews Site Auxiliary, its role, governance body, fundraising, donated equipment and ownership compared to the role and responsibility of MMHA.
"An article is coming out in the North Shore Sentinel explaining who is the Auxiliary, the Association and the Foundation and hopefully will lessen some of the confusion," Crack said.
Patrick Gladu, who sat for one year agreed, "It's tough to keep information straight."
Minutes and financial statements from MMHA and BridgeLink Community Properties were read and briefly discussed.
Among the details pointed out included a $13,000 bail out to BridgeLink, a refinanced loan, a $10,000 to improve the existing computer system at the doctor's office and, the acceptance of a quotation to replace several windows when weather permits.
"We are still in need of two furnaces, to the tune of $20,000," said Albert Crowder, BridgeLink chair. "They (the furnaces) are 20 years old. We are in the midst of obtaining quotes."
Crack delivered a brief history of MMHA which celebrates 94 years in November of this year, the involvement with the Red Cross, the Matthews family and Florence Whaley-Orrell's contribution to the community.
Income is generated from investments, fundraising, donations and local municipal government.
In 2018, MMHA saw an increase in revenue by $22,00 from its previous year due to increase in donations and fundraising with the largest chunk coming from the sale of a piece of vacant property in Richards Landing.
"We are responsible for the maintenance and up-keep to BridgeLink, a turnkey operation," Crack said. "The support in 2018 was wonderful."
Nine members were elected to the board for the coming year. One is a new face that replaces a long-time member who chose not to let her name stand.
The newly elected board consists of two from the North Shore – Marlee Hopkins and returning member, Ann Bell.
Elected from St. Joseph Island returning, Lavera Crack, Mark Henderson, Albert Crowder, Anita Niessen, Wendy Robertson, Julie Gardiner and newby, Jason Garside.
MMHA
Chair - Lavera Crack, Vice chair - Wendy Robertson, Julie Gardiner - Treasurer for MMHA and BridgeLink, Anita Niessen - Secretary for both MMHA and BridgeLink.
BridgeLink Community Properties
Chair - Albert Crowder, vice chair - Marlee Hopkins.
The board's first regular monthly meeting is Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Township of St. Joseph council chambers.