Kissimmee's 125th Birthday Celebration is rapidly approaching and while the WayneWho staff looks forward to a day where we take a moment to remember the heritage of our community, we are disturbed by frivolous expenditures and the loose purse strings of the organizations involved with the events. In a time of extreme budget cuts, possible personnel downsizing, and reductions in public safety services we would hope that an organization such as the Chamber of Commerce would resist the temptation of finding creative ways to suck more tax money from our residents.
At tonight's City Commission meeting, the Chamber will ask for an additional $650.00 to provide 130 vouchers to the city's board and commission volunteers which could then be redeemed at the Birthday Celebration for a hamburger, chips and a drink. This great 'Thank You' is to make up for the board appreciation dinner that the city decided to cut from it's budget this year. A decision, by the way, that received no complaints from any board members and that has been generally characterized by most volunteers as 'a smart move' and 'what is best for the city.' As opposed to those who serve the Chamber, city board members and volunteers are not always in search of the next food and beverage opportunity and serve our community to serve our community.
We know that many of you reading this post look at the $650.00 amount and ask why we would make this a big point. Quite simply, it is because we would like to see a complete accounting of all of the additional funds that have been spent on this event in a bad budget year the likes of which our city has not seen in a very long time. Birthday books, birthday banners, and additional taxpayer funds given to organizations to hold a street party. There should be an audit. There should be accountability.
If the chamber was community oriented in any way, they would withdraw this request, admonish Commissioner Grieb for the suggestion, and come up with the money on their own or in the form of a sponsorship to thank the volunteers. Then they would request that the $650.00 be used to buy meals for our seniors in need through the Meals-On-Wheels program because that is where resources are needed the most. Simply put, a vote to give the Chamber of Commerce additional funds in this way is a direct vote against the seniors in our community. It is time we see responsible spending habits return to government.
At tonight's City Commission meeting, the Chamber will ask for an additional $650.00 to provide 130 vouchers to the city's board and commission volunteers which could then be redeemed at the Birthday Celebration for a hamburger, chips and a drink. This great 'Thank You' is to make up for the board appreciation dinner that the city decided to cut from it's budget this year. A decision, by the way, that received no complaints from any board members and that has been generally characterized by most volunteers as 'a smart move' and 'what is best for the city.' As opposed to those who serve the Chamber, city board members and volunteers are not always in search of the next food and beverage opportunity and serve our community to serve our community.
We know that many of you reading this post look at the $650.00 amount and ask why we would make this a big point. Quite simply, it is because we would like to see a complete accounting of all of the additional funds that have been spent on this event in a bad budget year the likes of which our city has not seen in a very long time. Birthday books, birthday banners, and additional taxpayer funds given to organizations to hold a street party. There should be an audit. There should be accountability.
If the chamber was community oriented in any way, they would withdraw this request, admonish Commissioner Grieb for the suggestion, and come up with the money on their own or in the form of a sponsorship to thank the volunteers. Then they would request that the $650.00 be used to buy meals for our seniors in need through the Meals-On-Wheels program because that is where resources are needed the most. Simply put, a vote to give the Chamber of Commerce additional funds in this way is a direct vote against the seniors in our community. It is time we see responsible spending habits return to government.
4 comments:
Don't forget that it was Commissioner Van Meter that was given a $25,000 budget to work with for the Birthday. Where did that money go?
Mmmm... Burgers..
Gemskie was the one who pushed for the $20,000.00 banners!
It was $850 that was the amount the city was going to spend to honorm the volunteers. so now its "saving" $250. With postage, printing, very cheap frozen burgers and donated chips and soda's, why not just do away with the "thanks" and let Van Meter, I love fountains, use her taxpayer dollars to make the party look "pretty". She could not be counted on to look to use it for social service uses. That idea is certainly foreign to her.
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