The Independent Weekly has published a very sympathetic story about the group Durham Companions, a nonprofit organization that receives taxpayer funds to match kids with adult mentors. The group gets an “A” for good intentions. But good intentions aren’t enough. The group gets an “F” for its cavalier attitude about accounting for public money. It should not be rewarded for this behavior, but Durham County commissioners chose to simply wag their fingers and then promptly approve more cash. Here’s a sample of what’s going on, with comment from the group’s executive director, McDonald Vick, who evidently is new to the group. (emphasis is mine)
Soon after, the agency filed the county grant application that caused so much strife with commissioners. Among its numerous errors, the application showed two different amounts it was requesting from county commissioners—both $15,775 and $40,000—and said the funds would be used for pay raises for the coordinator and secretary positions, which no longer existed at the agency.
When he appeared before the county commissioners, Vick had no explanation for the sorry grant application and its jumbled numbers. He simply apologized.
And yet, this organization continues to receive public funds.
