By paNOW Staff

Debate heats up over children’s group home

Dec 8, 2010 | 5:19 AM

A proposed foster home for children in the RM of Prince Albert is possibly putting taxpayer's money at risk, says the NDP.

According to an NDP news release, Rising Star Children's Ranch has received $92,160 from the government to operate even though they can't open their doors.

A zoning dispute with the local municipality continues to keep the foster home closed to vulnerable children between the ages of six and 10.

Social Services Minister June Draude said in the Legislature Tuesday they are looking at getting the money back.

“Our ministry officials have a meeting on Tuesday with them,” said Draude.

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Meanwhile the NDP is criticizing the government for handing the money over before the proper checks and balances were in place.

“Certainly we need to protect the tax payers something this government has failed to do,” said the NDP's Trent Wotherspoon .

“From day one here this hasn't been done in a process with due diligence.”

Rising Stars Children's Ranch, executive director Dave Hobden downplayed the comments, calling them “political games.”

Hobden said they continue to discuss the funding arrangement with the ministry of social services.

“If social services request the money back certainly. There's not intention of taking money that doesn't belong to us.”

For more information visit the Rising Stars' facebook page

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