Did anyone hear Ragsdale's explanation today? Thought I would die laughing. Does anyone assume responsbility for their actions anymore? He's clear so who cares what his staff did? He's not responsible for that. He only hired them.
I have never understood why the taxpayers in any county are obligated to foot the lunch bills of anyone, mayor or otherwise. Many people work for the county and bring their lunch or buy their own everyday. Why is the mayor and his "inner sanctum" worthy of taxpayer-funded lobster and prime rib? That privilege needs to go. I loved it when he again tried to deflect responsibility by listing his accomplishments again for all of us. As if that made all this P-card mess okay.
He would have done himself a world of good if he had taken all the cards and cut them up before our eyes and said, "The party is over."
"It's not easy being green."
Netmom correct me if I am wrong but I think you must be outside a 50 mile radius to be reimbursed for meals.
Netmom correct me if I am wrong but I think you must be outside a 50 mile radius to be reimbursed for meals.
I'll jump in here Ernestine. That rule does apply but apparently there is some provision for purchasing some meals within Knoxville. As a Knox County resident I have no problem with that. Occassionally there may be a legitimate reason to purchase a meal within Knoxville. After all, Knox County government is a large endeavor and in some cases entertainment expenses might be appropriate. BUT - the charges showing up in this audit do not meet that criteria by any reasonably applied measure. The more Ragsdale talks, the madder I get at him.
Hey Anderson Countians - anyone want to trade County Execs???
Ernestine, I'm not familiar with Knox County's rules, or if there's one rule that applies to all counties. Beaver's explanation is probably a better one.
For the school board, we don't have a 50-mile rule that applies to meals, but any reimbursement must be documented with a travel expense statement and approved by the Board, in a public meeting, for each such request. The reimbursement for lunch is capped at $11, so there's not much room for lobster at that rate, and it wouldn't be approved without documentation of the reason -- like being in a mandatory training session in Knoxville for the entire day, where there isn't a long enough lunch break to go home and back.
Beaver, I'm not sure you'd be happy with that trade.
Thanks Beaver and Netmom. Beaver, we have our own cross to bear and believe me yours is an angel compared to ours. We are just too stupid to catch him or we just turn our heads to the problems that exist.