Bronson Centre Disconnects
A South Ham News Publication

Bronson Centre Board Reveals All In Frank & Open Discussion

In spite of rampant scepticism amongst the twenty-eight tenant organizations of the Bronson Centre building, the appointed board of the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception surprised all in attendance at an October 5th meeting by sharing intimate details of the decision-making process that led to the firing of the centre�s director, Maureen Moloughney.

The meeting came as a result of two weeks of steady advocacy for the reinstatement of Ms. Moloughney by tenant representatives, who made direct appeals to members of the appointed board and General Superior Sister Fay Edmunds, and also engaged in passionate public appeals through print and radio.

During a frank and open exchange of ideas, the board revealed that Ms. Moloughney�s termination was necessary in order to pursue a strategic plan containing essential initiatives for �ensuring the centre�s future viability�. When asked for details of that plan, the board explained that there were no details at this time, as the plan was in the �preliminary stage of development.�

When confronted with what seemed at first glance a glaring contradiction � the stated need to terminate an employee in order to follow a plan that did not yet exist � board member Evelyn Kelly quickly cleared up the confusion by explaining that the plan was �only available as a collection of sticky papers� and was therefore not available in a format that could be shared.

Plans to transcribe the sticky papers are under consideration, although the board expressed some concern that the essence of the plan would be lost on regular sized paper. Those tenant representatives familiar with the sticky paper process nodded in solemn agreement. The board agreed to consider a proposal to photograph the sticky papers, enlarge them, and present them as a collage that would form an accurate representation of the original sticky paper format.

It was pointed out at this time that displaying the sticky paper presentation in a public area of the Bronson Centre would be a direct violation of the rule against self-expression that was recently invoked by the board�s newly appointed facility manager. The preparation of a portable presentation that could be viewed on city property just beyond the centre�s property line was suggested as one possible alternative.

To further demonstrate the board�s willingness to share even the most closely guarded of their inner workings, board member Lawrence Grant explained that the strategic plan was all about taking Bronson Centre �into the future.� When asked about these future plans, he shed further light on the situation by explaining that this would be decided through the development of the strategic plan. When presented with a request for further details of the strategic plan, Mr. Grant elaborated that the plan was all about ensuring the future of Bronson Centre. When asked how this would be accomplished, he replied: �these strategies are to be elaborated in the strategic plan.�

The matter having been resolved through these candid insights, the board moved on to more important issues, including their plan to utilize fundraising as a method for raising funds. There appeared to be general agreement throughout the room that fundraising would be a legitimate means to this end. Chairperson�Tim Kehoe explained that specific fundraising strategies were to be part of the strategic plan, which is being designed to take the Bronson Centre into the future.

One particular highlight for the night came via a candid expression of remorse from board member Kris Klein, who shared his feelings of surprise and regret upon learning of the serious breakdown in communication between the board and the tenants. A helpful tenant representative suggested that having no interaction between the board and tenants for several years could have been �one of the problems that led to the breakdown.� There was general agreement amongst all those present that two persons or parties who have never spoken might indeed experience difficulties with communication. Mr. Klein seemed genuinely moved, and appeared to be making careful notes with respect to this epiphany.

Mr. Klein later demonstrated his own prowess as a communicator by pounding on the table in order to engage those in attendance in an enlightened dialogue about �walls.� This seemed to fit rather nicely with chair Tim Kehoe�s passion for �containers,� a topic that was featured by Mr. Kehoe on countless occasions throughout the evening.

Although proven largely incapable of appreciating the complex metaphoric representations involved, the tenant representatives nodded politely in agreement, and at times appeared mesmerized by Mr. Kehoe�s profound evocations. Many tenant representatives were apparently quite struck by the presentation. Commented one such individual at the meeting�s conclusion: �Until I came here tonight, I thought a building was just a building. But now, thanks to that Kehoe guy, I understand that it can also be seen as a type of container for human beings. Cool!�

Other highlights included the statement by General Superior Sister Fay Edmonds that the notion of tenant representation on the board �would not be rejected until there had been due consideration.� Tenant groups pointed out that the proposed representative, being outnumbered 13-1, would have little means to disrupt the board�s affairs or work counter to the objectives of the Grey Sisters. The board and Grey Sisters agreed to consider the issue, but identified two key barriers.

First, any potential individual providing tenant representation to the board would have to agree to �act with decorum at all times.� A resolution on this issue was apparently reached with the suggestion that the tenant representative would take a vow of silence, which would commence with the start of the first meeting, and continue until death. � Second, issues of conflict of interest would need to be addressed. At this juncture, Chairperson Kehoe stepped forward and volunteered to establish a special committee to work through this roadblock. He explained that his own family connections permeate every aspect of the Bronson Centre, with his wife serving as the board�s secretary, and his Aunt currently serving as�the assistant to the facility manager.

Sister Celia Turcotte also offered her assistance in this area, explaining that she has not allowed her position of authority as a Grey Sisters executive to influence the thinking of subordinates, such as board members Sue Kehoe or Lawrence Grant, who serve as employees of the Grey Sisters. Sister Celia stressed that all members of the board were empowered to contribute as equals, and that she has never had a difficulty removing herself from decisions that brought her into a conflict of interest position. The prior removal of Bronson Centre board members known to be in disagreement with Sister Celia was explained as sheer coincidence. As former board members now located in Siberia could not be reached for comment, Kehoe and Grant quickly agreed with this assessment, which served to settle the matter.

Other developments of note included an exploration of the sequence of events related to the board�s strategic planning session in March, the subsequent removal of Sister Joanne Duggan (former administrator of community projects) and Maureen Moloughney (former executive director), and the legalistic tone that has been aggressively promoted by the board through public statements, letters, and frequent memoranda that have been circulated since the departure of Duggan and Moloughney.

The board explained that any connection between these decisions and events was purely coincidental. When certain tenant members shared an additional concern that the Grey Sisters were taking complete control of the building and killing off the original community cooperative concept in order to position Bronson Centre for a sale to local real estate developers, the board reiterated that changes were only being made in order to ensure the centre�s future viability, as set out in the strategic plan.

At this point, at the urging of many tenant representatives, the board assured those in attendance that the �sticky paper transcription project� would be placed at the top of the board�s �to do� list. With that reassurance, the meeting came to a peaceful end.

Mr. Kehoe brought the evening to a close by congratulating the tenants on their ability to behave themselves, at which point each representative received a gold star and a lollipop.

UPDATE!

As of October 18, the appointed Board of the Bronson Centre had yet to share any additional information about the strategic plan, until Chair Tim Kehoe came forward with the following update: "The sticky paper project is of a size and scope that has extended beyond the means of our small multi-million dollar tax-sheltered corporation. We are currently seeking financial assistance from the public and private sector so that we may complete this important operation."

When asked if there was an inherent contradiction in seeking to raise funds by utilizing the reputation of Bronson Centre as a caring community, while at the same time heartlessly gutting the key individuals responsible for the cooperative achievements of the building members over the past four years, Kehoe explained: "We may look and appear to act in a tyrannical fashion, but we don't see this as a major problem. Many powerless people are actually very happy, and we don't think the actual users in the building will be better served by playing a role in determining their own futures."