Editor:
Former Gibsons Seniors Society (GSS) member Graham Wray cites our June and August 2009 executive minutes as proof that the executive insisted he incorporate a society (Coast Reporter letters, April 30). These minutes are posted on the Gibsons seniors website - I don't see anything.
On June 18, the concern was with liability respecting a new activity, Harmony Hall Players. (Back then, activities began by someone announcing they were starting a group - no more.) Activities are cribbage, wellness exercises, table tennis. An activity cannot decide that it is a different activity, or take on the responsibilities of an executive committee.
The GSS was worried because the Players wanted to stage a costly production of Annie, leaving the GSS responsible for any loss, and also about the Players' inclusion in a grant application. The minutes state Lorraine Goddard would try to get a pro bono legal opinion, which she obtained over the June 20 weekend. On June 22, Mr. Wray announced incorporation to meet concerns about the Harmony Hall Players. Both were memos distributed between meetings in office mail slots.
The August minutes address a list of monthly evening events from incorporated group Coast Community Entertainment Society, now Suncoast Harmony. Nonprofit groups may be permitted to use the hall for occasional events with consent of the executive. They were told to apply for one event at a time.
The executive never suggested incorporation and knows nothing about the subject. Mr. Wray had incorporated a society previously, I believe using a kit, so he was the only one with knowledge in that direction.
Harmony Hall is on a quiet residential lane. I can't get my mind around Mr. Wray going to our parking lot twice on New Year's Eve to count cars. That's just sad.
Maureen Goldman
Director, Gibsons Seniors Society
