Index of SPPS Budget Discussion http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/spps-posts.html _________________________________________
I commend David Schultz for filing the ethics complaint against Mayor Kelly and council members Helgen and Montgomery, for the same reasons that it was appropriate to file a complaint when Kelly flew to Colorado last year at Skip (sp?) Nelson's expense. This is not about doing city business or representing the city; this is about the perks of government and the way that favors and privileges can have a corrupting influence. Remember, ethics rules are put in place so that we don't have to guess as to which politicians will behave ethically and which will not; the point is to remove any appearance of corruption, not whether a particular elected official claims he or she was or was not influenced by a particular favor (provided you believe them when they say, "oh, that million dollar contribution by the XYZ Company Pac didn't influence my vote one iota"). This is especially true in a city like St. Paul with a strong mayor system and a past mayor who thought nothing of doling out contracts and political favors to his well-heeled friends in the development and real estate worlds. If councilmembers Harris and Lantry own season tickets to the Wild or share those tickets with others, and their opportunity to purchase All-Star Game tickets was indeed a perk offered to all season ticket holders (or those who owned similarly priced seats), then I have no problem with those members having chosen to shell out $250 to attend the game. But since it appears that special access was offered to Montgomery, Helgen, and the mayor--regardless of who provided the access--then I believe it is wrong, and probably a violation of the state gift ban in whatever way it applies to local elected officials. For those who argue that being at a hockey game is somehow representing the city, I say, sure. But for whose interest? Most people I know who live in this city and are well aware of the billion dollar debt hanging over every taxpayer's head don't derive a benefit from having Kelly or city council members at the game. Do you really think the World Series or Super Bowl or Timberwolves playoff game just wouldn't be the same without the polticians mugging for the fan cam? I don't think so. I'd much prefer that they show up at the Library closing (in Minneapolis) or the park closings (in St. Paul) to explain to the taxpayers why they can't provide essential services, rather than using city resources to create entertainment dollars that flow into the pockets of the Naegles and Taylors and McCombs and Pohlads of the world. If you really want to represent the city, show up to address the problems, then offer solutions. Hanging with the celebrities as the beneficiary of special access or perks is representative of something, but it sure ain't about doing the people's work. Tom Goldstein Mac-Groveland _____________________________________________ SPPS Budget Reduction Forum - Feb. 23-27 Co-Sponsored By NEAT: http://www.stpaulneat.org/ _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
