SEWRPC Communications Getting Odd, Truly Arrogant

As readers of these posts know, I have raised questions, along with blogger Gretchen Schuldt, about the annual taxpayer-paid dinners at the swank University Club for commissioners and staff at the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission that are averaging more than $1,000 annually.

In a follow-up, Schuldt got SEWRPC to be specific about the menu: cordon bleu, beef tenderloin and truffle cake, all at taxpayer expense.

In subsequent emails, I asked Executive Director Ken Yunker about other uses of his agency credit card, and he disclosed the payment of lunches and breakfasts with various SEWRPC commissioners, media or state transportation department officials - - but not the names of the guests, as I had requested - - generally in the $20-$35 range, so I then asked Yunker to direct me to the SEWRPC policy and procedure that governed the use of the credit card for meals.

And I asked him whether the annual dinner would be continued, and to ask the same question of Commission Chairman David Stroik. (I asked Yunker to forward the request because on SEWRPC's antiquated and opaque website, the Commissioners do not have contact information listed. Not even a bio.)

Here is my email, which Yunker answered eight days later. I have italicized it to set if off from what follows:

On Thu, 1/21/10, James Rowen wrote:

From: James Rowen
Subject: queries
To: kyunker@sewrpc.org
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010, 12:40 PM

Hi, Ken; I'd appreciate your addressing these questions: 1. Can you point me to your policies and procedures - - either hard copy or online - - that govern the use of agency credit cards for items such as meals for staff, commissioners, consultants or guests? 2. Could you forward this question to Chairman Stroik, and also address it: "Do you intend to continue the annual end-of-year dinner, such as the recent dinners at The University Club, with SEWRPC paying for the meal?" Thanks. James Rowen

Last Friday, the answers came back unsigned in an email attachment attributable to the chairman, but without his name.

Here are the answers - - in full. It was like getting a message from the Wizard of Oz.

"The Commission policy is that a lunch/breakfast purchased with a Commission credit card must be for Commission business purposes, with the primary purpose of the lunch/breakfast being the conduct of Commission business.

"The Commission appreciates your constructive thoughts. The Commission is considering the best methods to both be charitable and honor the accomplishments of Commissioners and staff.

DOCS01-149686-v1-Commission Text-1"

Apparently, SEWRPC considers this non-response a response. Note that no policy or procedure is cited as if it came from a manual {maybe there isn't one?) and the first point weirdly echoes and repeats itself.

The entire exchange continues to prove a point I have been making for some time: Without oversight by an elected official, the agency with its 21 appointed commissioners, and a staff they select, is not accountable to anyone.

Remember this is an agency that spends about $8 million tax dollars a year, and that is 100% taxpayer-supported.