tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12902554.post112422869643933502..comments2023-06-23T11:39:05.863-03:00Comments on noe4accountability: August 16, 2005 EducationLindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04185746977726490087noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12902554.post-1126697063096784742005-09-14T08:24:00.000-03:002005-09-14T08:24:00.000-03:00Clarification/Addition: The Trib article with the ...Clarification/Addition: The Trib article with the headline "county audit savings dashed" ran in March 2003. <BR/><BR/>The Trib never corrected the story and never reported total county savings of $54,000 over the three years 2003/2004/2005. <BR/><BR/>And in addition to the savings, we are getting an audit that is far superior to the previous audit that cost over twice as much. <BR/><BR/>At the same time, we need to be aware that the current state auditors--as did the previous local auditors-- only examine a small sampling of transactions. <BR/><BR/>Also, the auditors are only here periodically and most of that is after the fiscal year is already over.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, local officials are the ones who have to provide checks and balances and oversight on an ongoing basis DURING the fiscal year. Trust, but verify.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04185746977726490087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12902554.post-1125098521332748832005-08-26T20:22:00.000-03:002005-08-26T20:22:00.000-03:00Janice,Thank you for your comments. The Tribune is...Janice,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your comments. The Tribune is a real problem for citizens and elected officials unless they parrot exactly what the editor believes. Needless to say, the Trib does not report my comments (see my blog) and tries to slam me every chance they get. <BR/><BR/>Just two examples: They did a 5-part series about two years ago about the school building program where I became involved only after I realized that they were paying construction managers over a million dollars to largely manage and supervise themselves. The Trib did not once call me for a comment--despite the fact that state law was changed unanimously as a result of my concerns. The Trib kept saying I had a "vendetta"--but they never could explain just how the entire state legislature agreed with my position, saw what was wrong, and did something about it.<BR/><BR/>Yep, it really bothers politicians when citizens don't "bark twice and then get back in their cage." <BR/><BR/>Second item: Before I took office, The Trib ran an article with the headline "County audit savings dashed" and said that we would not be able to save money by having the state do the county audit--a major cornerstone of my campaign in 2002. The Tribune never corrected that story and never reported that I introduced the proposal to have state auditors perform the county audit in Oct. 2002 and that we did, in fact, save $18,000 in 2003 and in 2004, and soon another $18,000 in 2005---a total savings of $54,000. <BR/><BR/>Education is a complex issue. You are absolutely right that there need to be healthy discussions marked by a willingness to listen to all viewpoints. <BR/><BR/>You also hit the nail on the head with the money issue. <BR/><BR/>Political "spin" is a fascinating (and frustrating) thing to watch when it is applied to numbers and to factual information.<BR/><BR/>That's why I subscribe to the "Trust, but verify" motto, and I try to apply that to every analysis of the spending of county money. If you've been following my blog, you know that my financial questions bring out anger instead of openness on the part of a couple of county officials. <BR/><BR/>Financial questions about the handling of county money should not threaten anyone. There should be a complete explanation about the $360,000 that got switched from fund to fund in 2004--not just an incomplete statement about somehow restoring funds to where they should have been to correct errors from past years. There will be a lot more to come...<BR/><BR/>If we are to have funds for education, law enforcement, health and safety, roads, and all the other services that we expect from our government, we must take care of every penny. We should spend the tax dollars of our fellow citizens in the same way we would spend our own money. <BR/><BR/>And I do think we have to remember that not everyone lives in that "average" $100,000 house or makes that average $24,000/year income or has health insurance. <BR/><BR/>I appreciate your input.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04185746977726490087noreply@blogger.com