Fast and loose on the public dime

Some of Dothan’s city commissioners have been unwavering in their vocal opposition to unnecessary spending. However, the Eagle’s review of expenses turned in by five Dothan commissioners and Mayor Pat Thomas following a trip to Washington, D.C., suggests that some government spending is less unnecessary than others.

District 1 Commissioner Larry Matthews did not make the trip to the annual meeting of the Association of the United States Army.

The review suggests some elected officials’ private attitudes toward spending the public’s money deviate sharply from their stated positions.

Consider the position of District 2 Commissioner Amos Newsome, who drove to Washington while his colleagues flew. Newsome said that since he had more free time than others, he could save the city money by driving. Travel is “something we’re going to have to look closely at,” Newsome said.

However, the thrifty commissioner’s fuel costs were more than Commissioner Taylor Barbaree’s airfare, and Newsome had overnight lodging on the trip up and again on the trip back. In Washington, Newsome stayed an extra $318 night in the Hilton. He apparently thought the valet parking — $28 per night — was complimentary; he said he was not aware there was a charge.

Newsome’s “money-saving” trip yielded the highest expenses at a whopping $2,127.

District 6 Commissioner Keith Seagle presents himself as a watchdog over the taxpayer’s money. However, Seagle saw nothing wrong with letting the people pay for the $3 Diet Coke and $4 ice cream cone he purchased in the airport. Or $100 for excess baggage. Or $200 for a flight change. Or a $75 hotel charge for departure change. At $1,948 the watchdog’s expenses were slightly less than Newsome’s.

From our perspective, a good steward of taxpayer funds would spend public money as he would spend his own.

District 3 Commissioner Paul Lee used frequent flier miles and a credit from an earlier trip on city business, so his $472 airfare cost only $48. He stayed at a less expensive hotel, turning in expenses for two nights for the three-day conference. Lee’s wife joined him on the trip at her own expense. Commissioner Lee spent $810 in public funds to travel and attend the same meeting as Newsome, who spent more than two and a half times as much.

Barbaree, who represents District 5, chose a course followed by many local travelers who pay their own way: He took a flight out of Tallahassee at a cost of $361. Even with mileage reimbursement and parking, Barbaree’s airfare was a bargain. Barbaree’s wife joined him at her own expense. The couple stayed at the Omni, and the commissioner did not submit expenses for meals. Total cost: $1,448.

District 4 Commissioner John Craig and Mayor Pat Thomas each spent just over $1,300, Thomas at the Lombardy Hotel, where the Lees stayed, and Craig at the Hilton where Seagle and Newsome hung their hats.

Certainly, representation of the city of Dothan at an AUSA function is important, perhaps even critical, to the future of Fort Rucker. However, it’s not necessary for six of seven elected officials to attend this gathering at a cost to taxpayers of more than $9,000.

What could six accomplish that one or two could not?

The commission must practice what it preaches, and keep the municipal entourage to a minimum.

And let Lee make the travel arrangements.