Time for a watch Dog Committee

In light of recent complaints and editorials about misuse of taxpayers money by elected officials I think it would be fitting that a Watch Dog Committee be formed to scrutinize all of the current city and county elected officials travel and expense claims, not just our former Prosecutor. Carl Salzmann’s use of county money for training, lodging and meals I think would unfortunately prove to be more common than unusual. It’s common knowledge that department heads scan the available training opportunities for the most desirable venues and many times passing up identical training within driving distance. Not too long ago I recall one of our appointed officials taking advantage of an economic development training program in California even though the identical program was offered in Louisville. Between airfare, hotel accommodations and meal expenses is that really a “good” use of public money.

Lets’ put all elected and appointed officials on notice that someone is going to be critiquing each one of their departments expenses, only then do I feel we will get a clear picture of the level of abuse. This is another tried and true strategy of the local Democrat party. Tar and feather the opposition in the media by ambush not allowing them ample opportunity to defend themselves. Did anyone call Mr. Salzmann and give him the opportunity to defend himself before the County Council or was it just an opportune time for the heavily weighted Democrat Council and the new Democrat Prosecutor to throw stones without fear of retribution. Mr. Salzmann, have you always traveled to these far away exotic locations to take training and indulge in the finest cuisine at the taxpayers expense? Oh, and by the way when did you stop beating your wife? Wait a minute he wasn’t there to respond, how convenient! Isn’t it curious that expenses from December were being brought up for a topic of discussion in March? Isn’t it also curious that one of the Counties most notorious abusers of public funds during his tenure was our former Prosecutor Bob Miller and now he’s been plugged back into the funding stream as Deputy Prosecutor by none other than our current Prosecutor Chris Gaal. Who’s better at highlighting the abuse than the biggest abusers themselves?

Using a well-worn phrase from the Democrat’s playbook, let’s bring “transparency” to all of these areas of government. I would love to see a monthly report highlighting each trip an appointed or elected official took at the taxpayers expense along with a detailed description of where they stayed, what they ate and drank. Along these same lines let's have a nepotism report showing who is employed in the various government departments and if they are related in any way to their employers. We can start that investigation in the Auditor’s office. I think this would all make for some interesting reading each month. At least Mr. Salzmann managed to run his department for twelve years within its budget, that’s more than can be said for most of the current officials.

Local GOP Retains Franklin Andrew as Chairman

Local Republican precinct committeepersons turned out a huge contingent to select their new leaders for 2007 and beyond. The Party faithful had two good choices; current Chairman Franklin Andrew and longtime Republican ally Gene Moncel. Both nominees had their reasons for wanting to lead the GOP and both packed the house with their respective supporters. With just one ballot Franklin Andrew came out on top 65 to 47. Andrew has done a commendable job over the past couple of years but his tenure has not been without its problems, the largest of which is being able to post only a couple of wins in the win column in the past election. Probably the singular most important aspect of re-electing Andrew to the post is the continuity of leadership and experience he will carry into the '07 election and beyond.

A few individuals had recently spoken unfavorably of the election challenge that Andrew spearheaded. They were undoubtedly influenced by the opposition doublespeak and the local media coverage. Had a Republican in the Clerk’s office been caught with a key to secure voter records with both access and a handful of ballots on their person its safe to assume the Democrats would have more than likely called for a public beheading of the offender. The final report indicates there is several areas of concern that need addressed to prevent ineligible voters from influencing our elections. Little things like felons being allowed to vote and individuals that haven’t lived or voted locally for a decade mysteriously reappearing to cast an absentee ballot. Talk about disenfranchised voters, let’s at least follow the law! Maybe these ineligible votes are not enough to alter the outcome of most elections but there has been more than one local election that was decided by a mere handful of votes. Maybe the recount was oversold and maybe a few followers of good candidates like Pat Haley and Jim Billingsley were hanging their hats on the outcome; who knows. The bottom line is Franklin Andrew fulfilled his obligation as County Chairman because if he didn’t seek to correct these concerns, who would? He uncovered some issues and definitely put the Democrats on notice that someone is paying much closer attention today than in the past. At the very least the GOP now has more data than ever to discourage future improprieties from tainting our elections.

It’s apparent that at least for the time being that the local GOP is fighting an uphill battle. So many factors influence our local elections, so many beyond the local Party’s control. Bloomington and more recently Monroe County has been bucking the trend in Indiana with its more liberal voting record. A highly organized and almost militant local opposition party that has a blatant disregard for any ideas or opinions other than their own. The fear of involvement of many highly qualified individuals, which leaves the local government, to be ran by what could be described as almost a fanatical minority. Too many voters are influenced by local media coverage and are too easily swayed by the headlines. Maybe, as Franklin Andrew mentioned Saturday, “It’s time for the local GOP to start being for something” instead of always being on the defensive. Maybe, as Gene Moncel pointed out that it’s time for the local GOP to get more involved in social issues that face our community. Who knows, it might just be a combination of all the above. I don’t think any one person has all of right answers and for that matter shouldn’t be expected to. If the level of interest in Saturday’s central committee election was any indication it’s obvious the local GOP is alive and well. I think it’s obvious they’re hungry for a victory and who knows with a collective and unified effort they might just surprise some folks!