This summary highlights key points from a comprehensive document submitted to North Grenville Council and municipal staff. The full report details concern about the Ferguson Forest Centre Land Disposition, emphasizing the need for transparency, ethical management, and responsible decision-making regarding the proposed land sale.

Investigative Report: Concerns Surrounding the Ferguson Forest Centre Land Disposition:

As a private citizen of North Grenville, I am exercising my democratic rights to raise concerns about the Ferguson Forest Centre (FFC) Land Disposition. I am forwarding facts, timelines, and questions that I am asking North Grenville Council to publicly answer.

Initial Engagements

After reading an article in the North Grenville Times about the proposed land sale by the FFC to ensure long-term viability, I contacted several local officials. Discussions with them and our MPP's office highlighted my concerns about asking North Grenville taxpayers to cover FFC's financial shortfall.

Seeking Financial Transparency

I was advised to request financial details directly from the FFC. The GM directed me to the President, who suggested meeting with the Executive Board. During a call, it was revealed that the shortfall included costs related to a personal project by a board member to purchase crown land, not mentioned in the Land Disposition Request.

Proposing Fundraising Solutions

I met with FFC executives and presented a fundraising plan, including applying for charitable status and leveraging grants, donations, and volunteer programs. Despite previous board approval, the FFC had not pursued charitable status. I offered to help raise the necessary funds, but they refused to provide financial documents.

Subsequent Meeting and Reactions

At a subsequent meeting, it became clear that the FFC was not interested in pursuing charitable status or utilizing volunteers, despite having a formal volunteer group. The refusal to provide financial transparency raised further concerns.

Conclusion and Public Inquiry

The FFC's actions suggest a lack of due diligence, transparency, and ethical behavior. The following questions need answers from the North Grenville Council:

Are there legal or council ramifications for the non-disclosure of information regarding the active land acquisition?
Has the FFC genuinely pursued all possible funding avenues, including grants, donations, sponsorships, and volunteer programs?
Why has the FFC not applied for charitable organization status despite recognizing its benefits?
How is a board member actively pursuing a crown land purchase when the FFC is running a $2 million shortfall and not returning a profit this fiscal year?
Why was there no requirement for the FFC to seek a professional organization to complete an operational audit before asking municipal staff to complete a feasibility report on the land disposition request?
Why are there no FFC Annual General Meeting minutes or financials available to the public? The Mayor and a Councilor both sit on the Board as representatives of North Grenville, yet this information is not accessible nor questioned.
Why did the Executive Directors not disclose their meetings with me to their Board?
Concerns Highlighting Dissuasion, Unethical, and Lacking Integrity Behavior by FFC Executive Directors

Dissuasion and Lack of Transparency

Despite voting to apply for charitable status two years ago, the FFC board did not pursue it, missing significant funding opportunities.
The executive directors refused to provide financial documents when requested to help apply for grants, showing a lack of transparency.
Unethical Practices

A board member disclosed that part of the financial shortfall was due to a personal project to purchase crown land, not mentioned in the Land Disposition Request.
Statements claiming all funding avenues were pursued are contradicted by the lack of grant applications and refusal to apply for charitable status.
Lack of Integrity

The executive directors admitted they had not applied for many grants and were not using grant management software, indicating mismanagement.
Despite having a formal volunteer group, the directors opposed utilizing volunteers to cover operational shortfalls.
These actions collectively show a pattern of dissuasion, unethical behavior, and a lack of integrity, which calls for a thorough investigation by the North Grenville Council.

Statement on Nullifying the Land Disposition for the Ferguson Forest Centre

I am calling for the North Grenville Council to formally rescind the FFC Land Disposition of the 13 acres through a “Motion to Rescind” based on the following reasons:

Lack of Due Diligence: The FFC has not demonstrated that it has pursued all possible funding avenues.
Non-Disclosure of Key Information: A board member's personal project causing financial shortfall was not disclosed in the Land Disposition Request.
Refusal to Provide Financial Documents: Indicates a lack of transparency and accountability.
Misleading Statements: Public statements by FFC leaders about pursuing all funding avenues are contradicted by their actions.
Violation of Governance Policies: The board’s actions violate standard governance policies and fiduciary responsibilities.
Impact on Community Resources: The sale of public land without exhausting all other funding options is not fiscally responsible or in the best interest of the community.
Given these facts, the Land Disposition process for the 13 acres lacks necessary transparency, ethical standards, and governance, and should be nullified to protect the interests of the North Grenville community.

For additional information on the contents of this report or to request a status update, please contact the North Grenville Municipal Staff or North Grenville Council directly:

North Grenville Municipal Council Contact Information:

Phone: 613-258-9569
Email: info@northgrenville.on.ca
Address: 285 County Road 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Website: https://www.northgrenville.ca/council-government/council

https://www.northgrenville.ca/council-government/council

Your engagement is crucial in ensuring the responsible management of our community resources. Please reach out to the North Grenville Municipal Council to express your concerns and stay informed about the status of this important issue.