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Who's Kidding Whom?
By Ray Pavlak, Winsted
Claire Nader wrote an article that appeared in The Voice on February 1, "Why We Need Local Control," in which she stated that the public, the people were the key to establishing in 1901 what was later named Winsted Memorial Hospital, and that in 1996, "the people rallied again to establish the Winsted Health Center."
Her words give rise to the obvious question: Why do she and her ten fellow members of the Foundation's board of directors avoid consulting with the people of the Health Center's service area, or even the people's supposed representatives on the Foundation—the 50 or so members of the body of corporators—when they make important decisions, particularly regarding major issues such as whether of not to sue the State of Connecticut's Office of Health Care Access?
When it comes to democracy, local control and accountability to the people, it could be said of Claire, her board of directors and her CEO/ executive director, that they "talk the talk but don't walk the walk."
As you read the following exchange of letters between Patsy Renzullo, a Foundation corporator, and Deirdre H. DiCara, Foundation CEO, note how different the styles are—especially in the area of openness of communication, an essential ingredient to local control and respect for the people being served. Then please let the corporators from your town and the board of directors know your reaction. Thank you.
Letter from Patsy Renzullo to Deirdre DiCara — February 5, 2002:
Dear Ms. DiCara: This is to request a list of names and addresses of all those corporators that you and the Board consider eligible to vote in the next election of corporators.
Thank you. Very truly yours, Patsy M. Renzullo
Letter from Deirdre DiCara to Patsy Renzullo — February 12, 2002:
Dear Mr. Renzullo: I am in receipt of your February 5, 2002 request. According to section 33-1070 of the general statutes the members' list is available for inspection by any members entitled to vote at the meeting, beginning two business days after notice of the meeting is given for which the list was prepared and continuing through the meeting, at the WHCF office on Spencer Street. A member who sends a written request is entitled, subject to the requirements of subsection (c) of section 33-1236, to inspect and to copy the list during regular business hours and at his expense, during the period it is available for inspection.
According to section 33-1236 (c) of the general statutes a member of the nonprofit corporation may inspect and copy the member list only if: (1) his demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose; (2) he describes with reasonable particularity the purpose and the records he desires to inspect; and (3) the records are directly connected with this purpose.
Your letter fails to comply with this section in several respects: (1) under the circumstances, it is unclear whether the request was made in good faith and for a proper purpose; and (2) you did not describe with reasonable particularity the intended purpose of the request. Therefore, as I've been advised by Counsel, please comply with the requirements of the statute, in good faith, and I, in turn, will respond in a positive manner.
Sincerely, Deirdre H. DiCara, Executive Director
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