Say buddy, can you spare a dime?
The Mayor and Council in Fort Worth have been looking for every extra dime they can get their hands on. The reason, of course, is the recession and loss of revenue from taxes and fees (taxes by another name). Many services, including street repairs, have been cut and some layoffs have reportedly occured.
But, thank goodness, the financial situation isn't so bad that city council members can't take a few junkets to Europe and Africa. Even though the city cut its gift to the Sister Cities program from $350,000 down to $50,000 (Star-Telelgram, Sep 17, 2009), two Sister Cities trips went off on schedule. Councilman Joel Burns went to sister city, Reggio Emilia, IT, and council members Frank Moss and Kathleen Hicks jetted off to Mbabane, Swaziland.
Kathleen Hicks reportedly voted against the 2009-2010 budget because it had been "'balanced on the backs' of laid-off workers and the city's vulnerable residents," according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Sep18, 2009). Well what was it the queen said? Let them eat cake? Ms Hicks was further quoted as saying it's "not about tourism", it's "about AIDS..." Is she taking some over or bringing some back? Ms. Hick's travel is costing taxpayers $5,250. That's about two months work for a lower level (laid off) city employee.
Frank Moss is on the same soire`but his tab is $6,410. He's taking in Kruger National Park in South Africa. Going to give a little advice on animal control, no doubt. There's another couple of months work for someone.
Joel Burns must be some kind of cheepskate. His trip only cost us $2,275. He took a little vacation in conjunction with his trip to Italy but in the process he missed the most intense budget discussions. Shucks, if he'd been here he might have been inspired to add another $4,000 to his trip. But, alas, it's still another month pay for the laid off worker.
The Star-Telegram did the issue justice in some good reporting and a critical editorial. What's more, I was quoted in the article and the editorial agreed with that position. I had a flashback to when I was on City Council and made a symbolic vote against a city contribution to a childrens abuse group. I was roundly criticized by the council and by the Star-Telegram. I picked the wrong group to vote against but the point was that the city gives a lot of money to non-profits - too much, I thought. At times we gave money they didn't even ask for.
Good old taxpayer. Always willing to spare another dime.