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SEABHS board closes ranks
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| Marcelino Varona Jr. |
Varona removed from board, Doyle resigns
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
After an argument over recent press coverage, board members of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS) blamed Marcelino Varona Jr. for the negative publicity, and in a majority vote Thursday night, forcibly removed him from the board.
After discussing regular business matters for more than an hour, Jim Rubio, the acting CEO, began his report about how SEABHS will correct company services to retain public funding.
Varona asked Rubio why he and other board members did not receive a copy of the Dec. 17 letter sent to SEABHS from the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority (CPSA) ordering them to fix five areas of concern or face a loss of $35 million in public funding.
"I am not John Doe off the street; they can read about it in the newspaper. I am a board member," Varona said. "It's important when something like this that could jeopardize our financial stability happens that I know about it. I should not find out about it in the newspaper."
Board Chairman Tim Sikkema said he felt the letter should be kept quiet, due to "leaks to the newspaper."
"We have had a very negative response over the newspaper coverage," he said.
Varona said there is nothing wrong with the media coverage of the situation, but there is something wrong with board members being kept in the dark about what is happening.
Varona, former mayor of Nogales, pointed out that despite Sikkema's efforts, Wick Communications still got the information.
"I have a problem that I, as a board member, have been kept away from these happenings," Varona said. "I am entitled to know all the information that is happening. With something as pertinent as this, where in a few months we have to tell people to go home, I want that information. We have an obligation to protect the financial integrity and well-being of every employee."
When Varona wanted to continue discussing the matter, Sikkema asked for an immediate executive session, which was not listed on the meeting agenda. With Bill Inman moving to go into executive session, and a second from Kathleen Krueger, the measure passed 5-2.
Varona and Dan Doyle, another Santa Cruz representative, voted against it, stating the issues should be discussed publicly.
After about 30 minutes, the regular meeting resumed, with board member Dick Hamilton of Benson stepping outside the agenda to make a motion to have Varona removed from the board.
Hamilton said a two-thirds vote of the board can remove a board member when "it will serve the best interest of the company."
Inman seconded the motion, and it carried in a 5-2 vote. By phone board member Mike Ruterman cast his vote in favor of the motion.
Ruterman has not attended any board meetings in November or December, and according to Varona, has not attended any of the meetings until Thursday night when they needed a certain number of votes.
Asked Friday morning, Hamilton said he planned to remove Varona from the board prior to the meeting and discussed the matter with Sikkema of Sierra Vista on how to do it.
Hamilton said he felt it was in the best interest of the agency to have Varona removed, stating there has been a lot of "dissension" on the board, and it will "operate better without him."
Immediately following the vote, Doyle, who voted against the measure, resigned.
Before leaving, Varona gave a heated speech to the sitting board.
"Now you have the little group you want," he said. "A group where you can continue to hide behind closed doors. You have established a culture of secrecy and deception. We can just call your clan the $150,000 give-away of corruption."
In September, the Arizona Attorney General started investigating some SEABHS employees for embezzlement, and former CEO Dana Johnson for borrowing $150,000, and never repaying it.
Several current board members, including Inman and Hamilton, were on the 2004 board that approved Johnson's loan, and the board that approved an extension in 2007. To date, the money has not been repaid.
Varona was adamant over the last few months that SEABHS cannot continue with business as usual, that there are real problems that must be addressed.
Some of those problems include a former SEABHS employee being charged by the state with embezzlement for allegedly stealing $30,000 from the company, another employee being investigated for using SEABHS services on a personal vehicle and other problems resulting from Johnson's management for 14 years.
Varona said the board wanted him removed because "I have my own mind," and didn't succumb to their threats to have him removed if he didn't quit speaking out.
CPSA ordered SEABHS to fix its financial problems, work on upgrading services and employee levels, work on networking with organizations and sub-contractors and fix community relations. All of the issues were outlined by CPSA in a Dec. 17 "Letter of Cure," which stated that if the problems are not fixed by May, the company will lose public funds.
Rubio said Thursday night that SEABHS complied with the Jan. 19 deadline to submit a correction report. CPSA is expected to respond by Feb. 3.
Hamilton said a lot of the issues brought up by Varona were valid.
"Having him removed was not about the questions he asked, but about how he asked them," said the long-time board member. "We are in a bad place right now, and it will take some time for things to get back on track."
Hamilton said he felt things would run smoother without Varona, while noting that Rubio and staff are working hard to get the mental-health agency back in good standing with not only the community, but also the agencies that provide needed funding.
The board did not discuss how they would replace Varona and Doyle, but they do not have to fill the vacated seats with Nogales representatives. Board members can be chosen from all over SEABHS' four-county stretch.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
After an argument over recent press coverage, board members of the Southeastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services (SEABHS) blamed Marcelino Varona Jr. for the negative publicity, and in a majority vote Thursday night, forcibly removed him from the board.
After discussing regular business matters for more than an hour, Jim Rubio, the acting CEO, began his report about how SEABHS will correct company services to retain public funding.
Varona asked Rubio why he and other board members did not receive a copy of the Dec. 17 letter sent to SEABHS from the Community Partnership of Southern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority (CPSA) ordering them to fix five areas of concern or face a loss of $35 million in public funding.
"I am not John Doe off the street; they can read about it in the newspaper. I am a board member," Varona said. "It's important when something like this that could jeopardize our financial stability happens that I know about it. I should not find out about it in the newspaper."
Board Chairman Tim Sikkema said he felt the letter should be kept quiet, due to "leaks to the newspaper."
"We have had a very negative response over the newspaper coverage," he said.
Varona said there is nothing wrong with the media coverage of the situation, but there is something wrong with board members being kept in the dark about what is happening.
Varona, former mayor of Nogales, pointed out that despite Sikkema's efforts, Wick Communications still got the information.
"I have a problem that I, as a board member, have been kept away from these happenings," Varona said. "I am entitled to know all the information that is happening. With something as pertinent as this, where in a few months we have to tell people to go home, I want that information. We have an obligation to protect the financial integrity and well-being of every employee."
When Varona wanted to continue discussing the matter, Sikkema asked for an immediate executive session, which was not listed on the meeting agenda. With Bill Inman moving to go into executive session, and a second from Kathleen Krueger, the measure passed 5-2.
Varona and Dan Doyle, another Santa Cruz representative, voted against it, stating the issues should be discussed publicly.
After about 30 minutes, the regular meeting resumed, with board member Dick Hamilton of Benson stepping outside the agenda to make a motion to have Varona removed from the board.
Hamilton said a two-thirds vote of the board can remove a board member when "it will serve the best interest of the company."
Inman seconded the motion, and it carried in a 5-2 vote. By phone board member Mike Ruterman cast his vote in favor of the motion.
Ruterman has not attended any board meetings in November or December, and according to Varona, has not attended any of the meetings until Thursday night when they needed a certain number of votes.
Asked Friday morning, Hamilton said he planned to remove Varona from the board prior to the meeting and discussed the matter with Sikkema of Sierra Vista on how to do it.
Hamilton said he felt it was in the best interest of the agency to have Varona removed, stating there has been a lot of "dissension" on the board, and it will "operate better without him."
Immediately following the vote, Doyle, who voted against the measure, resigned.
Before leaving, Varona gave a heated speech to the sitting board.
"Now you have the little group you want," he said. "A group where you can continue to hide behind closed doors. You have established a culture of secrecy and deception. We can just call your clan the $150,000 give-away of corruption."
In September, the Arizona Attorney General started investigating some SEABHS employees for embezzlement, and former CEO Dana Johnson for borrowing $150,000, and never repaying it.
Several current board members, including Inman and Hamilton, were on the 2004 board that approved Johnson's loan, and the board that approved an extension in 2007. To date, the money has not been repaid.
Varona was adamant over the last few months that SEABHS cannot continue with business as usual, that there are real problems that must be addressed.
Some of those problems include a former SEABHS employee being charged by the state with embezzlement for allegedly stealing $30,000 from the company, another employee being investigated for using SEABHS services on a personal vehicle and other problems resulting from Johnson's management for 14 years.
Varona said the board wanted him removed because "I have my own mind," and didn't succumb to their threats to have him removed if he didn't quit speaking out.
CPSA ordered SEABHS to fix its financial problems, work on upgrading services and employee levels, work on networking with organizations and sub-contractors and fix community relations. All of the issues were outlined by CPSA in a Dec. 17 "Letter of Cure," which stated that if the problems are not fixed by May, the company will lose public funds.
Rubio said Thursday night that SEABHS complied with the Jan. 19 deadline to submit a correction report. CPSA is expected to respond by Feb. 3.
Hamilton said a lot of the issues brought up by Varona were valid.
"Having him removed was not about the questions he asked, but about how he asked them," said the long-time board member. "We are in a bad place right now, and it will take some time for things to get back on track."
Hamilton said he felt things would run smoother without Varona, while noting that Rubio and staff are working hard to get the mental-health agency back in good standing with not only the community, but also the agencies that provide needed funding.
The board did not discuss how they would replace Varona and Doyle, but they do not have to fill the vacated seats with Nogales representatives. Board members can be chosen from all over SEABHS' four-county stretch.
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| Agency takes strides to fix problems, school officials pleased |
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
J. Ellsworth wrote on Feb 4, 2010 9:19 AM:
" It is more than apparent that continuing members of the SEABHS board are working hard to maintain the system that got them into this horrible situation in the first place. Varona's request for oversight was long overdue. Once the board was asked to do what it is supposed to do, insure the delivery of cost effective and quality mental health services to the community, the wheels came off. It is NOT micromanagement, it is the oversight required by any responsible board. Now our only hope is that CPSA reviews the administrative errors from the top down and imposes meaninful change to this Old Boy/Girl system. "
D. Buchanan wrote on Feb 5, 2010 6:18 AM:
" It is clear to me that a majority of the board has acted in a sloppy and stupid manner. The majority should resign. It has nothing to do with ethnicity or sex. It is about competence. I don't know how the board members are selected, but the process has been deficient. I guess I can't really blame Mr. Hamilton for leading the charge to eliminate Mr. Varona. If someone exposed my leadership inadequacies in such a public fashion I would be angry and embarrassed also. "
Ralph wrote on Feb 5, 2010 9:55 AM:
" The kangaroo court is back in session with Hamilton leading the way. Little has changed since he was Mayor of Benson. The whole lot needs to be swept out of office. Great job of reporting Thelma. "
Current SEABHS employee wrote on Feb 7, 2010 3:35 PM:
" Varona had to go. He was clueless. He complained about SEABHS vehicles not having the logo on the side. Well, duh, the federal HIPPAA law is meant to protect medical patients' rights. If SEABHS were on the side of a van and Joe X. was sitting in a back seat and some of his friends saw him, one could safely expect that they would realize he's receiving treatment for mental health issues. Sadly, there is still a strong, negative stimga against mental illness, so it is essential for SEABHS to protect their clients' privacy.
Mr. Varona just never "got it." A non-profit behavioral health agency has different rules and standards than the city of Nogales or local schools. He was a new member of the board and instead of stirring things up, he should have taken the time to learn the lay of the land.
Mr. Hamilton did the right thing. "
Mr. Varona just never "got it." A non-profit behavioral health agency has different rules and standards than the city of Nogales or local schools. He was a new member of the board and instead of stirring things up, he should have taken the time to learn the lay of the land.
Mr. Hamilton did the right thing. "
Ralph wrote on Feb 8, 2010 11:19 AM:
" Current SEABHS employee wrote:
“He was a new member of the board and instead of stirring things up, he should have taken the time to learn the lay of the land.” Translation, play dead.
Instead the “good old boys” kept him and the public in the dark. The last thing the remaining group wants is for anyone to know what is going on. Hamilton was one who approved the $150,000 loan. There is $35 million in PUBLIC funding involved here. This bunch wants to handle it with closed door sessions and off addenda items just like Wall Street. Not with my bucks dodo. "
“He was a new member of the board and instead of stirring things up, he should have taken the time to learn the lay of the land.” Translation, play dead.
Instead the “good old boys” kept him and the public in the dark. The last thing the remaining group wants is for anyone to know what is going on. Hamilton was one who approved the $150,000 loan. There is $35 million in PUBLIC funding involved here. This bunch wants to handle it with closed door sessions and off addenda items just like Wall Street. Not with my bucks dodo. "
current SEABHS client wrote on Feb 8, 2010 11:06 PM:
" As a current SEABHS client and a senior Psychology Major at U of A, I can tell you there is a lot more wrong at SEABHS than has been discussed in these articles. Mr. Varona may have been clueless about HIPAA and possibly providing mental health services, but he is very aware of bad business practices. Stupid is a condition, ignorance is a choice. Mr. Varona can be educated about privacy issues and appropriate delivery of mental health services. The existing SEABHS board members who voted for Mr. Varona's removal chose to ignore the problems that have been exposed thus far. The only reason I am a SEABHS client is that I have no choice in the matter. I either use SEABHS' services, or none at all. None at all is not an option for me. I can tell you that I have filed more than one complaint with SEABHS, and had to go as far as contacting CPSA about inadequate service. I will say that CPSA did step in and we came to an acceptable solution. If you don't know how the system is supposed to work, what treatments are effective, and how to get what you need, you will be stuck in an endless, unproductive cycle of "treatment" at SEABHS. Lest you think I am merely a difficult client, I fully acknowledge that there are some very effective mental health providers at SEABHS, but they are hard to come by and often leave within a very short period of time, presumably due to frustration. Their high employee turnover leads to numerous problems for their clients related to poor continuity of care. Their system is broken and the SEABHS board of directors needs to stop worrying about their reputations and worry about the care (or lack of) that their facilities are providing to the communities they are supposed to serve. "
Candy Boyd wrote on Feb 3, 2010 1:21 PM:
Why would board members of a not-for-profit or public agency approve a "loan" of $150,000 to the director? I would think that constitutes some kind of "conflict of interest" and those board members should be removed. It makes logical sense that the reason SEABHS is getting bad press is because they are being investigated by the AG's office for the $150K loan & other questionable practices.
P.S. My snail mail is po box 1332, benson "