A Baldy Hughes board of director who recently stepped down is speaking out against what he fears is an encroachment of southern B.C. interests over what's best for the North.
"Once again, I often ask myself why someone from Vancouver would want to take control of a service in Prince George? Is there not enough to do in Vancouver?" asks Selen Alpay after resigning from the Baldy Hughes Addiction Treatment Centre and Therapeutic Community board last week.
"After all, these are our sons, our fathers, our brothers and sisters, our families and our community's future that are impacted. In my opinion when these things happen it is a complete tragedy."
Alpay was responding to the sudden departure of Baldy Hughes executive director Marshall Smith and the announcement that Vancouver's Kevin England would be the board chair.
Alpay said he can't talk about the specifics of his resignation due to a confidentiality agreement involving his lawyer and England.
But he went on to speak forcefully about "the state of affairs with non-profit boards based in Vancouver which control important services that are delivered in Northern B.C." in an email exchange with The Citizen.
"I feel it is absolutely critical to our community that service organizations, such as Baldy Hughes, receive governance from the communities they serve," said Alpay.
On March 2 Alpay resigned his position and on March 3 another northern board member, Jaret Clay, followed suit.
There have been reports that Dr. Michael O'Malley, who provided medical services at the centre, has also resigned, but since he is on vacation in Mexico, The Citizen has been unable to obtain confirmation.
At this time only one northern member, Theo Warkentin, remains to represent this community and region following director resignations of northerners, Brian Fehr and Tom Sentes during the past 18 months.
"Vancouver-based board members do not live in this community and as such have no idea what the social and economic challenges are that we face in this region," said Alpay.
"We become nothing more than self congratulating conversation between Vancouver elites who are completely disconnected from the reality of life in Northern B.C."
Alpay has been a member of the Baldy Hughes board of directors for about 18 months.
"During this time I have witnessed the magic of this program and the absolute miracles that are performed by the staff of the centre in transforming the lives of the men who reside there," he said.
Alpay said Marshall Smith will be sorely missed.
"Marshall Smith is impossible to replace," said Alpay.
"One of the key success factors of the program stems from Marshall's ability to strike a delicate balance between discipline and compassion for the residents.
"The result is great communication, transparency and a great deal of mutual respect between the residents, the staff and Marshall."
