Farm struggling to pay bills; whistleblower ousted; longtime leader resigning
BRISTOL - Mt. Hope Farm is broke.
The 127-acre property with historic buildings, rolling fields and shoreline that was entrusted to a nonprofit group 11 years ago ran a deficit of about $60,000 last year, and things aren’t looking better this year. The farm’s managers are able to keep the lights on and maintain the property through an equity line that draws about $6,000 per month.
A once-thriving wedding and event business has deteriorated badly.
Some of the farm’s infrastructure has deteriorated as well, probably past the point of repair.
An advisory board of governors that once included deep-pocketed, influential citizens is defunct.
And, the farm’s governing body, the Mt. Hope Trust board of trustees, has been derailed by strife for months. The board is trying to force one member to resign because she went public with concerns about financial management. If she does resign, or is thrown out, she will join a growing group of frustrated former Mt. Hope Farm volunteers.
Many believe Mt. Hope Farm is at its lowest point since Bristol voters ponied up $1.5 million, plus 20 years of ongoing interest payments, to buy the farm from the Haffenreffer family and open it to the public in 1999. Even the man who’s been at the helm since it went public — the perceived lord of the manor, who is praised for protecting this gem from private development and blamed for its current state — acknowledges things are bad.
Asked if this is a low point, Mt. Hope Trust President James Farley said, “I sure hope so.” These are also his final days running operations at the farm. Last week, he announced his intention to resign on or before June 30; the trustees are looking for an interim director to replace him.
Whistleblower fired
Mt. Hope Farm enjoyed many years of peace and progress. When opened to the public in 1999, it delivered breathtaking views and pastoral serenity to the citizens of Bristol and beyond. It supported itself through large grants and donations, special event fund-raisers and a steady stream of weddings and corporate events, with a separate inn for overnight lodging.
Things began to unravel in late 2007.
Two former employees, who left on the same day in November of 2007, have come forward to talk about the environment they once worked in. They both described the environment as “hostile,” and they raised questions about the handling of money, particularly cash.
John Paul Smith was hired as director of sales and marketing at Mt. Hope Farm in December of 2004. At that time, he said, there were 11 special events booked for 2005. By the end of 2005, the farm had hosted 44 events. That surged to 85 events in 2006 and dropped slightly to 70 events in 2007.
A longtime manager of the Clarke Cooke House restaurant in Newport, Mr. Smith attended Bennington College and Georgetown University, loves both farming and historic preservation, has experience managing a nightclub and a restaurant, has volunteered for years on numerous boards, both charitable and historic, and has been a contributing editor to several magazines, including Condé Naste publications.
Mr. Smith receives compliments from others in the Bristol event business. His peers at Blithewold Mansion and Linden Place thought he did a great job and was easy to work with. Trust member Betty Brito thought highly of him as well. “He was a breath of fresh air,” she said. “He knew how to treat people. He was very professional.”
She was stunned when he was unexpectedly fired on Nov. 15, 2007.
Mr. Smith said he was given no reason for his termination. He asked to appear before the board of trustees, but Mr. Farley told him the trustees already knew about it.
But, not everyone knew. Ms. Brito said she had no idea Mr. Smith was going to be fired, and “was furious” when she learned of it. She forced a special meeting of the trustees on Dec. 4, during which Mr. Farley said Mr. Smith was fired for “lack of productivity.” Mr. Farley said two trustees (he did not name which two) as well as their legal counsel, Andrew Teitz (who is also the town’s legal counsel and provided Mt. Hope Farm with free legal services for 10 years), knew about the firing ahead of time.
“Jim called John Paul a ‘snake in the grass,’ ” Ms. Brito said. That was the best explanation she ever received for the firing.
Mr. Farley said Mr. Smith was not fired, he was “terminated” because “we saw a significant decrease in events.”
‘Cash lying around’
Shortly before he was fired, Mr. Smith began talking to others about his concerns over how money was handled at Mt. Hope Farm. He spoke to Ms. Brito, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office and the Rhode Island State Police. He was told he needed to present hard evidence.
Mr. Smith believed money was being handled inappropriately, in a casual manner. He said he would often enter Mr. Farley’s office and see cash lying around.
“There would be piles of cash, and then they would disappear,” Mr. Smith said. “There was lots of petty cash lying around.”
“Those are blatant lies,” Mr. Farley said. He said there might have been occasions when he waited a couple of weeks to make bank deposits, but “that’s plain garbage to say there was money hanging around.”
Mr. Smith said cash would come to Mt. Hope Farm in numerous ways. At big fund-raisers, the farm would operate a cash bar and sell tickets at the door. Donors would sometimes give cash. Brides and their families sometimes used cash for deposits to reserve the farm.
Mr. Smith said one person handled the cash — Jim Farley. Mr. Smith does not know what happened to the cash, but he said one conversation with the farm’s bookkeeper was troubling. The woman, an employee of Account-Eze in Barrington, managed the farm’s books. According to Mr. Smith, she said cash deposits were rare.
Patricia Heath, the owner of Account-Eze, disputes that. She said it would be improper for someone from her firm to discuss financial information with anyone other than Mr. Farley or the treasurer, Bill Whitty. She said her employee “did not have any conversations or divulge any financial information to anybody.”
But, another former employee concurs with Mr. Smith. Alan Sylvia was director of corporate events for Mt. Hope Farm for about four months, from July to November of 2007. He was recruited to Mt. Hope Farm by Betty Brito after spending 10 years at Thomson Corp. Mr. Sylvia resigned from Mt. Hope Farm at the same time Mr. Smith was fired.
“We would just see cash lying around Jim’s office,” Mr. Sylvia said. “I didn’t want to be the one that the finger was pointed to if someone asked what happened to the cash. I didn’t want to be the fall guy if something was not done properly with that cash.” So, he resigned because he was uncomfortable working in that environment.
Mr. Sylvia said he, too, spoke with the bookkeeper about whether there were cash deposits. “I know the answer was, not to her knowledge,” Mr. Sylvia said.
“It was really odd and I felt very uncomfortable working there,” he said.
Bill Whitty, the Mt. Hope treasurer, said Mr. Farley handles most of the money. After an event such as last year’s antiques fair, he said, “The cash is counted, locked up and given to Jim.”
Checks lying around, too
Mr. Smith said the casual handling of money extended to checks as well. He said checks would also sit for long periods of time and he offered several examples. One was a small fund-raiser he organized at which an a cappella singing group performed at the farm. The event raised only about $1,200, half in cash, half in checks, but months later there was no accounting for the money. Mr. Smith said one Bristol resident came back months later to ask what had happened to her check. After some searching by Mr. Farley, the checks were finally found, Mr. Smith said.
Mr. Smith said he would wait until Mr. Farley was away on vacation and then go around his boss’ office, collecting checks to be deposited. He would often collect thousands of dollars at a time; he remembers one time collecting more than $20,000.
Linda Silveira, a Bristol resident who helped organize the Garden and Antiques Fair in 2007, remembers similarly relaxed handling of money. Weeks after vendors sent checks to reserve their spaces for that event, several called to ask whether the money had been received. Their checks had not cleared.
At the same time John Paul Smith began talking to people about the handling of money, co-worker Alan Sylvia did the same. He, too, talked to Betty Brito about what he had seen. Of his co-worker’s unexpected firing, he said, “It’s my suspicion that someone let the cat out of the bag that we were asking questions.”
After his resignation, Mr. Sylvia landed a new job and now lives in Florida, but he still owns property in Bristol. He is bothered by the Mt. Hope Farm situation. “Why is this organization allowed to continue to have these fund-raisers and collect all this cash, and no one has ever done an investigation to find out what has been done with all this money?” he asked.
Time for a change
After the John Paul Smith firing, Ms. Brito was working behind the scenes to make changes at Mt. Hope Farm. She scheduled a meeting with fellow board member and Bristol Town Administrator Diane Mederos. When she arrived at Ms. Mederos’ office, she was surprised to find board member and Town Clerk Louis Cirillo, as well as the attorney, Mr. Teitz.
According to Ms. Brito, the four of them talked about the firing, the handling of money and Mr. Farley’s inappropriate use of the farm checking account to buy furniture for his home.
Ms. Brito said that during the conversation, it was confirmed that Mr. Farley had used farm checks to purchase furniture from Sam’s Club that was delivered by farm employees to his Sullivan Lane home. According to Ms. Brito, Mr. Teitz said the money had been repaid and that Mr. Farley had been instructed not to do that again.
Mr. Farley said he used the farm’s nonprofit, corporate checking account because, “It was the only way I could buy it. At Sam’s, I had to use either their credit card or a corporate check.” John Paul Smith witnessed a conversation between the bookkeeper and Mr. Farley where she asked Mr. Farley when he planned to reimburse the farm. Mr. Farley said it took him some time to pay back the farm but he eventually did.
At the Town Hall meeting, Ms. Brito and the others also talked about an outstanding debt of $1,100, owed to three people who helped with a special event at the farm. Roger Williams University paid its bill for a special event in December 2006 with a check for $6,600 — $5,500 for the tab and $1,100 as a tip to be shared. A year later, even after his dismissal, Mr. Smith was still trying to get that money to the individuals.
One woman had no idea Roger Williams had given her a tip. Mr. Smith found her one day by asking around and being told she was helping set up for the Christmas bazaar at St. Elizabeth’s Church. Using her son as a translator, Mr. Smith talked to the woman, who was dismayed to learn she was owed about $366.
All of this was shared with Ms. Mederos, Mr. Cirillo and Mr. Teitz. Ms. Brito said there was general agreement, a lot of “nodding of heads” that it was time for Mr. Farley to leave. Weeks later, however, nothing had changed.
Asked about the meeting this week, both Mr. Teitz and Mr. Cirillo said they do not recall the meeting. Mr. Teitz also said he does not remember the Sam’s Club furniture situation, only a “rumor” to that effect. Ms. Mederos did not return two calls for comment on the meeting.
“Nobody was really listening,” Ms. Brito said recently. “I was very much a minority voice at that time.” She resigned in March of 2008.
Ironically, the woman who took Ms. Brito’s place on the board is in nearly the same place Ms. Brito was two years ago.
Pushed aside
Nancy Stratton is retired after running a private psychotherapy practice in the Boston area for 30 years. She and her husband, David Ford, have owned property in Bristol since 2001 and live full time on Burton Street.
Ms. Stratton got involved in Mt. Hope Farm by volunteering there a number of years ago, joining its board of governors and being invited by Mr. Farley to join the board of trustees. That was two years ago.
Last spring, Ms. Stratton started asking questions. She wanted to see financial records and audits. For as long as anyone can remember, the Trust has shared only vague financial reports.
“All the reports were verbal,” Ms. Stratton said. “Jim would just kind of talk about how things were going and say we need more money.”
Betty Brito, who was on the board of trustees for about eight years, concurs.
“There were not a lot of written reports,” Ms. Brito said. “We’d be told how many bookings there were and things like ‘it’s up,’ ‘it’s down,’ a lot of that.”
Those descriptions run contrary to federal law. According to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act — approved by Congress in the wake of corporate scandals at Enron, Tyco and others — nonprofits must operate with financial transparency.
They should have the board of trustees review regular audits, meet with the auditor and formally accept or reject those audits; have audited financial statements easily accessible for review; review and approve financial reports; and review and approve annual tax filings.
The Mt. Hope board of trustees does none of those regularly.
The minutes of a May 22, 2008, meeting state: “Treasury: Bill Whitty reports Mt. Hope Farm is experiencing the same profitability as last year. Lack of expenses have compensated for reduced profit.”
The minutes of a Dec. 16, 2008, meeting: “Treasury Report: Bill Whitty gives his report.”
The minutes of a June 4, 2009, meeting: “Treasurer’s Report: Bill Whitty reports that the Country Inn is below last year’s rate of revenue at this current time.”
Several board members, including Diane Mederos, Derry Riding, Nancy Stratton, Betty Brito and others, said that is typical; finances are rarely documented in writing. Said trustee David Barboza: “We don’t review statements. That’s the accountant’s job.”
Finances are secret
Ms. Stratton, who feels a real passion for Mt. Hope Farm and has donated about $9,000, began asking for financial records last year. She eventually received a 2005 audit, though she had to get it directly from the auditing firm, and she received a packet of tax forms (which are available online and she already had copies of) and one financial statement.
“The audits have always been fine,” Mr. Whitty said, “and nobody has asked to see them, so, no, we don’t share them.”
Ms. Stratton said the secrecy about financial information extends to special events. This past summer, she and others organized an antiques fair at the farm. Afterward, she asked for a financial report to measure how well they did. She never received it.
Another former volunteer, Linda Silveira, provided a similar story. Ms. Silveira and co-chairman Dan Cregan organized the farm’s first Garden and Antique Fair in July of 2007. The event was a success, turning a profit in its first year. Ms. Silveira asked Mr. Farley for a detailed report on the event, but was rebuffed.
“If I ever wanted to run this again, I wanted to know what worked and what didn’t work,” she said. “I did get some information, a basic income statement showing total revenue and expenses, but it wasn’t as detailed as I would have liked. Not having access to exact numbers, I was just going by what I was told.”
Ms. Stratton’s requests for information began to rile others on the board of trustees, especially Mr. Farley. She believes her pursuit was misinterpreted, however. She claims she was seeking financial “transparency and accountability.” She never alleged financial impropriety.
“I wanted to see bank statements, financial statements, records of transactions and deposits ... normal information that is shared with boards,” Ms. Stratton said. “We didn’t get anything.”
Reflecting on her time with the trustees, Ms. Stratton said, “They were content with having one person running everything, and I wasn’t. That’s a difference in philosophy.”
Said treasurer Bill Whitty of the philosophy: “Jim is very, very close about not giving out a lot of private information. He doesn’t like public inspection of the information ... I think he’s fearful that certain information could get out that could have a negative impact on the farm and, in that case, I agree with him.”
Said Mr. Farley: “You have to ask the right way. You don’t come into a meeting accusing us of doing something wrong.
“ ‘Transparency’ is OK, but that’s a cute word ... Don’t come in and make demands on me.”
‘Shut your [expletive] mouth!’
Ms. Stratton’s drive for “transparency” led her outside the board of trustees. She went to Bristol Town Council Chairman Kenneth Marshall. Their conversation triggered a December board meeting to remember.
Held Dec. 17 in the North Pasture building on the farm, the “meeting” was called to confront Ms. Stratton. She did not know this until she was in the room facing her accusers. They included the Trust president, Mr. Farley, and fellow trustees David Barboza and Vicky White.
Ms. Stratton said, “Jim Farley was saying things like, ‘this person likes to stir trouble,’ and Dave Barboza said, ‘How dare this person talk about the Trust in public.’ ”
Ms. Stratton said she finally asked them to stop referring to her as “this person.” She said Mr. Barboza at one point lost his temper, pointed at her and screamed, “How dare you do this! You better learn to shut your [expletive] mouth!”
She said Mr. Farley called her “a snake in the grass” and responded to her claim that she asked for and did not receive financial information by screaming, “You’re a liar; you’re a [expletive] liar!”
Others in the room that night acknowledged it was a tense meeting.
Board member Derwent “Derry” Riding said, “It was tense ... If we were 2-year-olds, there was a time when our parents would have said, ‘time out.’ ”
David Barboza said, “What doesn’t help is a rogue individual with a hidden agenda, saying there are problems with the farm’s finances when there aren’t.” Asked about his specific comments, he said, “That was a private discussion.”
Bill Whitty said the conversation was heated. “Was it inappropriate? Yes,” he said.
Town Administrator Diane Mederos was also there. “It was a volatile meeting,” she said. “Things were said that afterward people probably regretted saying.”
Mr. Farley said, “It was somewhat volatile, but I think there was good reason for it.”
He continued, “We have never had as much trouble until Nancy got on the Trust ... She’s always accusing us of something.”
The day after the “volatile” meeting, Ms. Stratton cried when talking about it. She said she was shaken, and days later she filed a police report about the confrontation.
Weeks later, she talked about it again. “I understand why they were upset, but that’s not how you react. That’s just not how people are supposed to act.”
Forced resignation
A month later, the trustees gathered again and discussed the Nancy Stratton “situation.” Mr. Farley was absent, but the remaining members decided to ask Ms. Stratton to resign. There was some debate about how to do it. Ms. Riding said she rejected a few drafts of the letter that was ultimately sent to Ms. Stratton.
“I asked for diplomacy. I wanted to thank her for all her hard work,” Ms. Riding said. “Nancy cares deeply about the farm, and her farming projects.”
In addition to donating money, helping organize fund-raisers and serving as a trustee, Ms. Stratton has taken the lead in a special farming project. For the past two summers, they planted vegetables on the farm and donated the harvest to the R.I. Community Food Bank. The first year, Ms. Stratton did it mostly by herself. The second year, the farm hired a part-time farmer.
Ms. Stratton received the letter asking for her resignation a few weeks ago, but has not responded to it. Ms. White said recently, “If she doesn’t resign, we’ll have to vote her off. This was an attempt at a graceful way for her to go out.”
Lord of the manor
Everyone interviewed for this story believes it’s time for a change in leadership at Mt. Hope Farm, including Mr. Farley. Though it’s been talked about for at least a year, just last week Mr. Farley announced his intention to resign as president of the Trust by June 30. The trustees are looking for a new director, board member Bill Whitty will become the vice president of the trust, and Bristol Town Treasurer John Day, who is expected to retire on June 30 from town service, will be the next treasurer of the Mt. Hope Trust.
When he started at the farm, Mr. Farley was, as he describes it, “chief cook and bottle-washer.” He logged more hours than he could count doing whatever was necessary to keep the place running, from changing bed sheets in the guest rooms, to buying supplies, showing the place to would-be brides and negotiating rates with their families.
He was integral in the farm being kept from private development in the first place. “If it wasn’t for Jim Farley, there would be no Mt. Hope Farm,” David Barboza said.
“No one has worked harder,” said Carol Moser, a trustee who resigned in 2009 because of strife with Mr. Farley. “I mean, 60, 80 hours per week, this guy has put into the place, unpaid. It’s really an admirable thing.”
Yet, she believes it’s time for him to leave.
“His strong sense of ownership goes way too far ... He has alienated a lot of people who would be supporters. I think rather than take him on, people just fade away.”
Derry Riding has been on the board of trustees and worked with Jim Farley for 11 years. She compliments his dedication while she also talks of change.
“Jim gave hours, months and years of his time unselfishly to the farm,” she said. Yet “we need to move on and get new people involved, reinvent ourselves and our events ... The economy is part of the problem, but it’s not everything. There’s more than just the economy at play.”
Said Bill Whitty, “We’ve grown to a point where we need more ... he wants to get out, but he doesn’t want to get forced out.”
Mr. Farley sounded defiant a few weeks ago when talking about his future with Mt. Hope Farm. “I don’t want to leave with this place in trouble,” he said. “The more you try to get rid of me, the longer it’s going to take.”
Yet, he changed his tune late last week when he announced his intention to resign. He plans to stay until they find a new director to run operations, and he’d like to stay involved in the farm. It’s possible he may remain on the trust, just resign as president.
Mr. Farley is “sick” about all he’s been accused of. “I’ve put up with more grief than anyone could ever imagine,” he said. He also said people don’t realize the significant amount of money he put into the farm, donating furniture, fixtures, rugs, paintings and more. “That place cost me a hell of a lot more money than people ever realize,” he said.
“I think I’ve done a lot of good in this town, and I think it’s going to overshadowed by all this, and I think it’s a real shame,” he said.
“This is not how I would like to be remembered with Mt. Hope Farm.”
NEWSPAPER CHALLENGES FOR TRUST RECORDS
In reporting this story, the Bristol Phoenix requested numerous records from the Mt. Hope Trust and its president, Jim Farley. Mr. Farley denied most of that request. He said he would allow a Phoenix reporter to view some of the records, but not have copies of them. He also said he would not release copies of audits or minutes of board of trustees meetings.
Mr. Farley and others on the Trust maintain that the organization is private, not subject to public access laws. The Phoenix believes the Trust should be considered public because of its numerous entanglements with the Town of Bristol. The Phoenix has asked the Rhode Attorney General’s Office for an opinion. In its complaint, the Phoenix cited the following:
• The Mt. Hope Trust’s purchase of the farm was funded largely by a $1.5 million bond provided by the Town of Bristol and its taxpayers. After 10 years of payments, the town still owes $1,312,410.90 on that loan through 2020.
• The Trust’s bylaws require that three Bristol town officials sit on its board of trustees: town administrator, town clerk and a town councilor. Until recently, they comprised nearly half of the eight active members.
• Two key sections of the Trust’s bylaws can only be changed by a majority vote of the Bristol Town Council, giving the council wide regulatory authority over the Trust.
• Mt. Hope Farm vehicles enjoy access to tax-free fuel that other similar organizations do not have access to. Farm vehicles fuel up at the town’s public works yard and the trust reimburses the town for the cost. The only other agencies using that fuel supply are departments of the town, such as the housing authority and fire department.
• The trust enjoyed free legal services for 10 years by the same firm that represents the Town of Bristol, Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch.
Town Clerk Louis Cirillo and Town Administrator Diane Mederos are among those who believe the Trust is a private organization. One former Mt. Hope Farm employee and Bristol taxpayer, bristles at that.
Said Alan Sylvia, who resigned in 2007, “Why is Mt. Hope Farm not obligated to make their books known, since we are funding them, to the tune of $1.5 million? I want to know that.
“You ask us to fund that place for $1.5 million, and for the leadership to have the audacity to tell us the financial records are none of our business, I completely disagree with that answer.”
hey somebody should contact the RI Film Office
maybe they can get in touch with Steven Spieberg or Richard Gere or someone in Hollywood looking to film another movie
we sure could use the economic development (haha!)
This is a shame to hear. Mt hope farm is a beautiful property with breathtaking views. I hope something can be worked out to raise money to keep it open. It is one of Bristol's best kept secrets!
On behalf of the Bristolians footing the bills, thanks to those trying to keep things honest at the Farm. This truth should have been told a LONG time ago.
How many times is Mr. Farley going to pretend to resign? Every time there's a question about his ethics he says he's going to until the furor dies down, then he goes right back to his old ways. His abuse of his position at the Farm is shameful.
This property has a tremendous opportunity to be something spectacular that would make Bristol a world-class destination for those interested in sustainable farming and locally grown and raised food. Too bad selfish self-interests have kept it from becoming anything other than one person's private playground.
The highlights of this article below show why it is time to clean house at Farleys farm and on election day in the town of Bristol. We paid for this place, let it ride tax free and this what we get from the directors and town officals. You all should be embarassed and step down now. Just look at the quotes highlighted below. Best of luck East Bay Newspapers on getting all the info on this. What a shame to to see these thugs abuse this great peice of land, if only the state had bought the common man would have the abilty to use it!
1. He said he would often enter Mr. Farley’s office and see cash lying around.
2.There would be piles of cash, and then they would disappear,”
3.Mr. Farley’s inappropriate use of the farm checking account to buy furniture for his home.
4.Mr. Smith said one person handled the cash — Jim Farley.
5.$5,500 for the tab and $1,100 as a tip to be shared.
6.The audits have always been fine,” Mr. Whitty said, “and nobody has asked to see them, so, no, we don’t share them.”
7.Several board members, including Diane Mederos, Derry Riding, Nancy Stratton, Betty Brito and others, said that is typical; finances are rarely documented in writing. Said trustee David Barboza: “We don’t review statements. That’s the accountant’s job.”
8.The event was a success, turning a profit in its first year. Ms. Silveira asked Mr. Farley for a detailed report on the event, but was rebuffed.
9.Jim is very, very close about not giving out a lot of private information. He doesn’t like public inspection of the information ... I think he’s fearful that certain information could get out that could have a negative impact on the farm and, in that case, I agree with him.”
10. Jim Farley was saying things like, ‘this person likes to stir trouble,’ and Dave Barboza said, ‘How dare this person talk about the Trust in public.’ ”
11. “You’re a liar; you’re a [expletive] liar!”
12.If it wasn’t for Jim Farley, there would be no Mt. Hope Farm,” David Barboza said.
13.“That place cost me a hell of a lot more money than people ever realize,” he said.
14.Town Clerk Louis Cirillo and Town Administrator Diane Mederos are among those who believe the Trust is a private organization. One former Mt. Hope Farm employee and Bristol taxpayer, bristles at that.
6.All of this was shared with Ms. Mederos, Mr. Cirillo and Mr. Teitz.
7.All the reports were verbal,” Ms. Stratton said. “Jim would just kind of talk about how things were going and say we need more money.”
This is a good reason to keep Bristol from buying property.
Remember this when they propose buyng the old US Rubber complex.
I alway's said...and have posted in the past that Mt. Hope farm has been a checkbook for some...I guess I was right.
Hell its run better than the BCWA and School system but then again thats not saying much. LOL
Jack
And this is a surprise? Here in Mayberry (oops, Bristol) it is amazing that warlords like Jim Farley reign supreme and that people like David Barboza (and I encourage readers to read his background - not only as a gravedigger but his criminal record) still have power and influence to the detriment of the community, taxpayers and civilized people.
This is a wonderful town and I have lived here for twenty years but it is tough to break into the power structure, the ignorance and the incestuousness that some (thankfully just a few) of our townspeople display.
Unlike most agencies in town, Mt Hope Farm and the like I am thrilled that places like the arts museum and Roger Williams University have made our town better. Unlike Mt Hope - which seems to be dying under the Farley regime, RWU is nationally recognized, well respected and very well run. It hires thousands of locals, generates multiple millions in economic vitality and actually cares about the environment, civility, and making this special place (and the world!) a better place.
Be smart. Turn over this boondboggle and Farley-Barboza mismanaged beautfiul space to people who actually care about the environment and are competent enough to manage it!!
PS - isnt Barbozo up for election this year???
wow, more scandal. it makes you wonder just what Mr. Farley is doing at that farm.
I have to ask, isn't it illegal for the town of Bristol to run a bed and breakfast in direct competition with local businesses? Someone told me that a Town cannot compete with a legal entity such as the Williams Grant Inn, Point Pleasant etc...It seems unfair that Mt.Hope Farm gets tax free status, and tax free gasoline while local guys such as those listed above and others in this community have to pay taxes to Queen Diane and her compatriots on the town council. I for one think that bristol should rid itself off this albatross that is Mt. hope farm, 2 million is a bit much for a snobbish place that doesnt let us commonfolk enjoy the grounds unless the lord of the manor proclaims that we are worthy of our tax dollars to enjoy the sovereignity of the property.
Typical non-profit abuse of this kind of operation, When will people learn that trying to live in the past and not evolve property to modern uses is backwards. Waste of taxpayer moneies always follow these things and this will be no exception with the cry for "oh we must save it we must save it. Our heritage is being destroyed no matter the cost we must throw money into the pit of dispair.
Yep gonna be another preservation excuse gone wrong no doubt. RWU will be wanting it next and since its already tax exempt right up their alley. Wont be long this town will be broke as newport and the state trying to depend on nothing but tourist. Wonder why kids leave this town after graduation it is very simple not enough good paying jobs.
To jgalt04 have no clue where you get thousands of employee's they only have 209 in the faculty. There is no thousands of jobs not even close.I thought your post on the other RWU article was funny this one is even more so. You have a unique one sided tunnel vision of RWU that no-one else has evidently LOL.
Jack
Glad to see the paper is going to the AG about this. In the past I would jsut shrug it off and expect nothing from that office but the local dem's %^@*& slaped Lynch by endoresing Caprio 29-0, which means people like Queen Diane, Princess Davied, Farley now wear targets on their backs and Lynchs office mayenjoy looking into this farce of a public trust known as Farleys Farm to the locals. Go get them Patrick, you have done nothing in all your years as AG why not go out with a Blast in Bristol the town of dem's who ditched you!
Just another example of how the town management, or mismanagement, has performed. What needs to be done is review every single decision made by them and undo most of them. Lets go back at least 8 years and undo it all. All appointments, all tax decisions. We have seen these people over run everything and it costs us all money and infrastructure. Or should I say, very expensive infrastructure.
Nothing to do with town management. I KNOW you need to go straight to the top. The Board of Directors and the Chair of the Board. He takes the cash directly from fund raising events before it is counted or recorded, and it disapppears. The memers of the board are "his" people, and though they may not know EXACTLY what has happened, they know it HAS happened.
So AG and police, go directly to the top! That is where you'll find the criminal activity!! I promise......
I would like to add one more item to the "undo it all" list posted by oznod08 - the recent unconstitutional expansion of the Bristol Historic District.
The only people who got to vote on this expansion were the 5 members of our Town Council.
Great article Bristol Phoenix!!!!!
There have been several occasion on which I have dealt with Mr. Farley. I have always found him to be professional and courteous. It is unfortunate that this newspaper has opted to use a few disgruntled employees and former board members as its sources for such an inflammatory article. It seems to me that some may have an ax to grind; therefore, I will continue to base my opinion on personal experience. To Mr. Farley and those on the board that devote countless hours to the preservation of one of Bristol's gems, I wish you the best of luck. Pay no attention to the nay-sayers of your town.
Since the naysayers as you call them are the ultimate ones who suffer incidents like this and in the end pay the money for it not a nice thing to say. Whether the insinuations are true or not on Mr. Farley and becasue of liable laws I doubt these people are that stupid to lie. The fact remains the place is in a fiscal mess and when outside entities are saying they have no idea of the money transactions there is definatly something wrong.
when you are the top dog in charge your the one to blame bottom line it is your responsibility like truman said the buck stops here. And so with Mr. Farley the Buck stops with him it was after all his ship his responsibilty to control it and no-one else. Yes nice guys finish last but usually theres a reason for it and it is not always someone elses fault.
I would say to him to listen to the naysayers and get his ducks inorder and have information to prove his action, for it is the naysayers who in the end will judge this and him.
Jack
Happened on Diane Mederos' watch! Surprise! Bristol voters and taxpayers take note: the "good ol' boy" network is up and running! Same old names pop up when these things come out...Mederos, Barboza...
Judy lets not be selfish here. Undo the entire historic district. They have no business here at all.
This is sounding a lot like the BCWA. We own it but are not allowed to look at the records.
Just a note this place filling up with tax free gasoline is a state offense. Lynch should do more than replying to that and on top of that the Bristol PD should do something about that also.
Like I said remember they will be coming to us soon to get us to buy the old US Rubber complex and will have grandiose claims about Bristol's future attached to their plea for funding. Beware and remember the past to see the future.
This is not new news...I've heard about these doings 2 YEARS ago. So sad, the property & it's prospects have a GREAT deal to offer for the town.
Be specific. What 'prospects'? What does this property offer the town other than an ongoing bond payment?
Sell this to RWU. They are flush with non taxable profits.
Finances,what finances,not my job,mine either,no not mine,hey you over there your job..?? RUFF...RUFF.....!!!!!
downtown: Ok, if it can be done, let's undo the entire historic district. would anybody want to get together on this one and start working on it?
Re the Mt. Hope Farm mess: how can Mr. Farley and others on the Trust maintain that the organization is private? I hope the AG's office supports the Phoenix and declares that of coursethe trust is public and records should be public.
I agree Judy and Downtown It should all be voluntary to go by the guide line of the HDC that is fair, equal and constitutional. First person we have to get rid of is Halsey since he said oh we cant do volunteer it is unfair to those already in the district, geeze halsey think we just say everyone how hard it that problem solved all volunteer after a set date soon as possible.
To prospects when ever the government is involved in anyfunding of orperations like this they always end up running a deficit they never get enough money donated to run it and down the tubes they go. Prive always does much better think Newport Mansions, Doris Duke homes in newport which By the way have nothing to do with the HDC becasue her trust owns them all, The william King Covell house belongs to the Providence Preservation because he detested how it was run in Newport I know because he told me when he was alive I worked for him.
These people who think tourism is such a savior to econmics need to get a brain, if it is so great why is the state and everytown in finacial straights, because it provides seaonal low paging jobs good for college students lousy for adults who pay the property taxes. Read industry jobs are needed here but we will not see them unless this state becomes business friendly it is rated as one of the top worst in the country.
Taking away property right is dispicable, and these people who think they know better than the property owner who pays all the Bills on their property not them are by definition facist. Oh know jack you said that word again, well quit taking over property with out paying for it and you wont be, until then yep your facist.
Jack
Jack is off (this is unusual?) The non profits actually generate thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. Re Roger Williams read their annual report and 990 report. Over 250 faculty, 1000 full and part time jobs, mostly for local folks; scholarships to every Mt Hope High student who is eligible; 5200 students, thousands of visitors who shop and eat and stay in town - generating jobs and the list goes on. Facts do not seem to be your forte and you appear blissfully ignorant about the economic impact schools, museums, charities (which are well run) have on their local and regional communities.
Name me the number and actual jobs and kind of, also the number of actual scholarships of all of this then maybe i'd believe it, if this like you say then why does RWU always balk at any fair tax nope cant believe it and i doubt you could prove any of that. Over the years the town service expence alone far out ways the RWU cost.
Jack
not to mention the recent water tower tax an scam the the town Council fell for nope to much evidence to the contrary in my book anway.
Jack
Get to non profits and mor eon this latter if I have time im actually quite busy today LOL.
see i do have other things to do besides post an diatribes, be wrong be right make kistakes and of course just plain piss Delise off ROFLMAO.
jack
RWU like every other college and university in the US feeds off taxpayer support through their tax free status, federal and or state grants for themselves and students and federal loan guarantees. Without that taxpayer money these educational juggernauts would not exist. I'm sure some of those RWU jobs are dedicated to seeking out Federal money to feed the school.
The scholarships which RWU uses to pay its taxes consists of them throwing an extra chair in a classroom and assigning a huge cost to that chair. This has no direct positive monetary effect on the cost of services in town used by the university through its many students.
Of course in they would never admit to those facts, rather they want the public to believe that we should be beholden to them for the trickle down cash effect they have on a community.
They also prefer not to mention the many negatives that they have on a community. In their eyes the community would not exist without them. They publicly laud the community to incoming students as a great place to live while in school but in fact they believe the community is filled with illiterates who are not their equals a truly laughable position given where RWU stands on the educational scale.
The one saving grace imo of LNG tankers rolling down the bay is that in the event of an accident with the bridge that leads to an LNG pool fire RWU will be incinerated.
does the town own the cows and other animals on the farm?
if not do they pay rent for keeping them up there?
are they using tax free gas to transport these animals?
heck can i get some goats and chickens and bring them to the farm???
what a shame this beautiful farm turned into
I think the animals belong to Arnold who has been working there since the Haffenreffers owned the farm. I don't believe they belong to the town.
I am just so happy to see that this article has finally been printed. It's sad to say but I would have rather seen the farm go to one private owner who has no interest in developing. Someone who would have realized how special the farm is and take care of it, the way it had been taken care of for so many years. It's nice that the public can enjoy but I fear that comes with too steep of a price.
does anybody know if he pays rent to keep the animals up there ? can i bring and put animals up there?
Don't blame Arnold for this mess! He's underpaid,understaffed,and completely innocent of any high-handedness by his employer.
Ok, I may be a little slow on this one. How can Mr Farley use the non-profit's checking to buy furniture for his home, take his time to pay it back and then still keep his job because he is to not do it again? Can anyone else do this where they work and still keep their job? Am I missing something here? I can not see this being done anywhere else, by anyone else and still keeping their job. What kind of hold does this man have?...... Maybe I should apply for his position. I have a BSBA and it does not stand for Bull $hit By Asociation.
Obvious corruption. Mediros, Barbosa and Farley need to go to jail.
Hmm reviewing the article I guess i missed the stement by barboza who is a trustee say “We don’t review statements. That’s the accountant’s. I would think the board is the oversight for this place why would you not look at them and have it available for people involved, how can you do oversight if you dont look at anything.
This same current problem with the BCWA for years and now its a mess also becasue of it. This the same barboza thats on the Town Council I believe? What is wrong with this people they are so trusting in the one of the most corrupt states in the U.S. I mean havn't we learned anything over the last 40 years with what keeps happening here in this state and with organizations. Geeze thats not to smart in my book anyway.
Just a thought.
Jack
I have been on many volunteer organizations and have worked hard like Farley and Whittey. However, I've seen organizations like this as well who manhandle and bully people around because they take the attitude of "my way or the highway" saying I volunteer, I work a lot of hours, and I know better than you. This will all come to a head when Whitty turns over the books to the new treasurer and Farley leaves the office. By the way, the reason you have a treasurer is to have segreation of duties in an organization, and from the accounts of this article, when Whitty says Farley is handling the money, it shows that Farley has stuff to hide and Whitty has no stones. He too is a-scared of the big, bad boogie man. Farley threatening to stay on longer is his way of not having to account for the money in the kitty, and ever then, he will blame someone else for the missing funds. If the town is suppose to be responsible for this property, they should take the lead, clean house and start from scratch, or sell the property. I'm sure ocean front homes and condos would sell very well there, bring in much needed revenue and put an end to the Farley / Whitty Comedy Hour.
Mr. Farley said he used the farm’s nonprofit, corporate checking account because, “It was the only way I could buy it. At Sam’s, I had to use either their credit card or a corporate check.
Thats a little strange since Sams does take debit cards and visa and other cards un less you want to escape paying any taxes on the stuff he bought by using a tax exempt corporate card as I suspect was the case here. Better watch out for the IRS my friend thats illegal.
Jack
Oh and another reason you as trustee's would want to review accounting reports to verify expences I would think, sorry but this is gonna turn into something i think like checking records and expences all the way back. not to mention using employee's for personal use. didnt this just happen recently in providence and a few other places over the last few years.
Jack
Then again maybe he is a big fan of
"Queen of Mean." Leona Helmsley
"We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes" LOL
Jack
Geez, can't anyone see the obvious. These are the same people who hid the cost of the firehouse and overran it by a good 60%. They are stealing money here and sooner of later, the taxes are going through the roof. Maybe they will all get caught, hope so. They should watch out, somebody could get real mad at them and take violent action.
i thought this article was about Mt Hope farm......not RWU or the firestation or anyother personal gripes about the town....... focus on the topic at hand or you will get nowhere... throw shit on everything and you end up... well arguing with three other people on the internet
This is not rocket science! Why doesn't the town go back to this guy John Paul Smith who had the courage to tell the truth? When he was in charge the place ran well and was very busy. Mount Hope Farm customers and the townspeople of Bristol actually liked him! According to this article he's served on both historic and charitable boards. He's got the experience and he knows the territory. Hello people, let's get him back in charge and get the farm up and running in the black again, so we can all move on from this!!
Great idea from fixitnow to bring back John Paul Smith. The Lord of the Manor will soon find out what it's like to be relegated to the servants quarters! It is long overdue.
Too bad you can't see the forest through the trees. The accusers are usually the ones you need to worry about. As for Jean Paul, maybe we need to know more about him first.
oh, and take a closer look at alan sylvia. If Farley is volunteering all those hours year after the year, why shouldn't he get to fund some personal stuff?
I dont know there seeker since it is obvious on the admited furnature purchase and use of employee's to deliver it to his private home that is pretty cut and dry and reason enough to know he thinks he owns the place and the funds. One wonders if he would have paid it back had he not been caught and in either case it was illegal what he did anyway, and a shame to do it with a non-profit organization.
This does seem more prevailent over the last decade everywhere but it sure looks like his hand is in the cookie jar.
Jack
REGARDLESS if it is in fact true or not what is happening at Mt. Hope Farm, they need new management. Someone who is experienced in this type of work, not just someone who decided to take on the task of keeping it alive. Sorry it's just not enough these days.
It's like someone running a restaurant in this town, they think because they worked in restaurants all their lives and then owned one, and it use to be profitable that it will stay that way. No it doesn't. You have to find the right people to turn it into a success. ASK for help instead of scraping to stay open.
response to
oznod08 says:
"Obvious corruption. Mediros, Barbosa and Farley need to go to jail. "
I for one believee that the statement is a bit much, I do feel that an audit be conducted now, but suggesting jail time is over the top, even for you.
Mr. Farley should be removed and have no further interaction with the farm or its busines, and a ordinary citizen with a degree in business management be added to the board, preferentially as the president, chief of operations or what have you.
One question comes to mind, Who does this board consist of? Is it public appointment, or does a political connection help you get a seat.
The town should make this board like all others, set term limits, and all parties interested in running to this cause should face the town council, an influx of fresh faces every year or 2 would keep things running more smoothly than in the past where one sole person has ultimate control.
@Blinded_by_the_Bull, the HDC is seated only by people that are recommended by the Historical Society and they have more power than most boards.
As far as jail time if something warrants it then that should be the case. Its doubtful that this will even be the subject of a police investigation although it should be since incendiary charges have been made by an ex employee there.
Why the police aren't looking into this should be the question du jour.
They are probably too busy investigating homeland security issues at the water company.
IMO things like this are the best reason for the town never to spend money and get involved in what was and still should be private property. I don't know about anyone else but to me it looks like Bristol has plenty of tax free properties sitting around we really don't need to spend money to perpetuate that.
It's time for Farley to go. He favored the "big guys with money" when he was head of the Planning Board ( it was finally recognized and he wasn't reappointed, thank God), and now it sounds like he's lining his pockets at Mt. Hope Farm. Sounds to me like he's pretty unreliable and ignorant in the handling of Mt. Hope funds, why can't he be relieved of his duties, who does he know that is using thier influence to keep him in this position after all the info that has come out? i smeel a "few" rats here.
I'd like to correct the spelling of my last sentence in the previous opinion post to: I smell a "few" Rats here. I know it would have become an issue with someone.
notoriuos, you know the moron's would try to use anything to pick on.
@paulrevere
Thats a strategy to avoid countering legitimate points in any forum discussion and take the focus off the subject at hand. Its used here by a few people.
Still I find it funny when those same people make errors themselves because then when called on that they disappear.
thanks downtown, I appreciate the feedback, were on the same page, I realize the stragety, others are starting to realize it to.
ooops, i mean strategy
Its used by teachers a lot to show their superiority. (hope you aren't a teacher but I have noticed they excel in that behavior) in discussion of taxes, spending and school costs. 'I am better because you spelled a word wrong' and therefore we must tax you till you are evicted to pay our salary and benefits.
They point to a spelling error or grammar error and pronounce their superiority. The end result in their tax subsidized view is that their spelling/grammar excellence means only their opinion counts.
Basically anyone that disagrees with the spelling 'strategist' is ignorant and shouldn't be able to change things through a vote. They'd like to repeal voting rights I believe. You'd go to vote and they would challenge you with a spelling bee before you would be allowed to vote. Of course they themselves wouldn't have that qualifier.
There are a group of arguments like this which I believe are actually reasoned and formed out then distributed for use.
The union arguments are well thought out. If you argue against anything that involves unions you must have had a bad experience at one time with them or you are 'jealous' etc etc etc. You must pay us we have the law on our side which is the case but no discussion of why the law is so skewed towards unions here and no admission of how their largesse will kill us financially.
If you read these threads you've seen all the things I refer to. Baseless arguing designed to deflate the actual issue and cause people to keep off topic etc. and instead to argue.
No, not a Teacher, Water Authority Employee , Police or employed by the Town ( why use them for examples, figure it out ).I'm a regular guy, like most of the people in Town, who breaks his b@lls for a living and is getting tired of Political bullsht that favors selected people, among other issues .... so going to tell it like it is.
I'm with you there. I only threw that in as a prepackaged apology if you were! No implications there at all.
It will be interesting to see if a "Financil Audit/Investigation" will be conducted on Mt. Hope Farms Books. We need to see how deep this goes. The People of Bristol and Town Council Should Demand it.
It will be interesting to see if a "Financil Audit/Investigation" will be conducted on Mt. Hope Farms Books. We need to see how deep this goes. The People of Bristol and Town Council Should Demand it.
The Lord of the Manor of Mount Hope Farm has been relegated to the sevants quarters. About time.
Here, here. Although I think the "servants quarters" may be too good for the Mount Hope Farm Board of Trustees. On an earlier SpeakOut someone suggested putting them all in stocks. If this were another era, they might have all been tarred and feathered (In addition, I think they should be required to walk the Fourth of July Parade route).
Paul Revere, it is unlikely that there will be an audit. A forensic audit (which would be appropriate given the circumstances) has to be approved by the Mount Hope Farm Board of Trustees. The Town Council has the capacity to stand up and do the right thing here. However, it is highly unlikely they will. As Paul Revere has said: The People of Bristol Should Demand It! Citizens of Bristol stand up! Don't save all your town pride for the Fourth.
2 members of the board of "trustees" are on the town council.
Do you honestly think they're going to call for an audit of any kind?
They will if enough people go to the meeting to ask for it KingPhillip, by law those 2 council members can not vote on it due to ethics requirements. The other would be most foolish to shoot it town in that case. and in an election year i doubt they would this is a serious situation there and must be inverstigated and let the chips fall where they may.
Taxpayeras cannot allow the status quo of sweeping under the rug obvious fiscal problems with this that in the end we pay for. Nothing like this is ever really non-profit as the taxpayers have lost the property from the taxbase and we allways end up spending some kind of money on these things. needs to stop in my book if they cant be self sufficiet then not our problem it defaults and goes under that simple. Bail out mentality is destroying this town and country in my book.
Jack
I want the town to purchase my home and then hire me as a care taker plus pay for the utilities.
When can we get a bond issue going for that?
Jack we can make the 'low pressure museum' part of the same bond.
Lets see tours will be closed for the winter then a succession of paid functions over the summer with the proceeds going to the upkeep as opposed to paying the bond back. Yes that sounds about right.
sounds good to me I figure my Low pressure museum will make a lot of money because of the wait to get a drink of the famous water. people will have to stay longer and that would form big lines with people think it actually is something to see. A win win situations.
I also will put a Sign up with a picture of Halsey as one of the many politicians who doesnt care, since some seen to think him his own personal tourist attaction, should be lucritive enterprise. And bonds well hell no-one pays them they only let the taxpayers pay them as Leona Helmsey said only the little people pay taxes and with all the tourist dollar we will be making, we wont be one of the little people LOL
jack
What do you say Council Members?, Many are reading this, are you going to let it get swept under the Rug? Are you all part of the "good ole boy club", or are you going to show backbone and dig into this? My bet is your going to turn your heads and hope it doesn't get any more attention, your all spineless. Prove me wrong, at least one of you must want some justice or want to do the right thing.....ahhh, probably not.
The more people you get to e-mail them on this the more they fear you. they do not want people showing up at a meeting with copies of e-mails in their hands to them and why they are not listening. Get invovled tell you friends to e-mail takes about 5 minutes.
Bristol Town Council 401 253-7000
kmarshall@bristolri.us
rcordeiro@rwu.edu
mparella@bristolri.us
David02809@aol.com
hherreshoff@bristolri.us
Jack
Citizens of Bristol:
You will not succeed by contacting the members of the Town Council. What has happened at Mount Hope Farm is well beyond Kenny Marshall or any of the Town Council being able to gloss over. There has been clear malfeasance. This information is not getting North of Barrington. Please do the right thing and phone or email the State. Let's take back Mount Hope Farm for the citizens of Bristol. You are paying for it. This was never intended to be the Town Council members playground. Speak out!
Further to Speak Out!
Please Contact:
Adam J. Sholes
Special Ass't Attorney General
274-4400 x2219
asholes@riag.gov
Mary Kay
Legal Services Dep't of Environmental Management
222-6607 x2304
mary.kay@dem.ri.gov
Captain Leroy V. Rose, Jr.
Inspector, Rhode Island State Police
lrose@risp.dps.ri.gov
444-1007
These folks are there to help us but we have to make ourselves heard.
Please call or email them.
Wequetequock says this "is well beyond Kenny Marshall...". The image that comes to mind is that of a little Napoleon riding in on his pony to save the day. Thanks for making me laugh.
