The other day I posted an item about this Thursday's meeting of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, and wondered whether the agency would hold its annual private club soiree for commissioners, selected staff and consultants as it has done in past years.
SEWRPC represents seven counties. Its members are appointed, and its budget is entirely composed of taxpayer funds.
The dinners are held at the private University Club on the lower east side of Milwaukee near the Lakefront.
After several requests for information by email, SEWRPC Executive Director Ken Yunker Tuesday afternoon confirmed that the dinner would be held - - "See attached. Expected cost is under $1000, the same as last year. "
Last year's dinner cost $995.47, a cost acknowledged last after inquiries that I made.
My take on the matter is that certainly in a recession, and at an agency which has laid people off, spending $1,000 in that fashion - - other annual dinners, according to Yunker, have been more expensive - - is a wasteful and gratuitous exercise.
Getting the dinner bill under $1,000 by less than $5 isn't the point.
Commissioners, many of whom are public officials or people otherwise in influential positions, do not need a thank-you perk, regardless of whether it's a nice thing to do or not.
The money involved comes from taxpayers who have no say in the agency's budgeting.
The perks of Commission service are already substantial: Commissioners help decide where and how millions of dollars in transportation funds are spent, and they play a role in how regional economic, housing, water, communications and related policies are researched, framed and implemented.
Either the Governor, a County Executive or County Board must approve a Commissioner's six-year term, with frequent re-appointments, so there is plenty of status and substance to job.
Yunker included this attached statement signed by SEWRPC Board Chairman David Stroik by way of further explanation:
STATEMENT REGARDING COMMISSION AWARDS DINNER
FOLLOWING ITS DECEMBER 1, 2010 ANNUAL MEETING
David L. Stroik, SEWRPC Chairman
The dinner which follows the Commission meeting is an awards dinner and gathering for SEWRPC Commissioners. The dinner will be held at the University Club, near the War Memorial Center, which is the location of the Commission Annual Meeting. The dinner honors the service of those Commissioners who have left the Commission in 2010 and those Commissioners who have served the Commission for 10 years and 25 years. The dinner helps build relationships and understanding among the Commissioners from the Region’s seven counties. The dinner is attended by current SEWRPC Commissioners, former Commissioners who left the Commission in 2010, and select SEWRPC staff--Executive Director, Executive Secretary, and Executive Director Emeritus.
Commissioners spend many hours reading and reviewing reports, directing and advising staff, meeting and consulting with local officials from their Counties, and attending Commission, Commission Advisory Committee and other Commission-related meetings including public meetings and hearings. Their only compensation is $50 per Commission meeting, which many decline.
DLS/KRY/dad
DOCS01-154731-v1-2010 Statement Re Comm Awards Dinner-1
Gather that many members of a governmental commission in one place, it looks like a meeting at which the public's business is likely to be discussed.
ReplyDeleteI think that the group is obligated to give notice of the meeting and make provisions for ample seating for the public.
I'd go, and not merely to graze the hors d'oeuvres. It would do this bunch of self-congratulating worthies considerable good to know that the public has a right to observe how their tax dollars are being gobbled up.
Hey! It's a party. Everyone is invited.
These good ole' boys with their executive secretary (sounds like something from Mad Men) have plenty of $ to cover a dinner for themselves..... they seem to feel they deserve a nice dinner for all their "hard work".... Another example of the agency and their Commissioners just not living in the current times, reliving the culture of their 60's and 70's.
ReplyDeleteJim Bouman raises an interesting point. Is this an meeting rquiring notice?
ReplyDeleteJim does make a great point...... This is probably the time when important decisions are made.... i.e. Regional Water Study or Waukesha Diversion... Maybe they can test out that new video recording device so the dinner can be posted on their web site!
ReplyDeleteI . . . want . . . some . . . . truffle cake!
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