$14,931 in taxpayer funded travel through 3rd quarter

Things I Learned May 4, 2012 at 12:15 pm

Allan Madrid Allan Madrid Allan Madrid Allan Madrid
http://splicd.com/KEM7nh-U1fc/51/185

Kevin George May 4, 2012 at 02:05 pm

Forget the finances, I thought we were striving to be a green City?
http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2007/11/26/appleby I just did a very quick, non scientific tally of the air miles racked up on this list. It came up to about 69,500 miles ONE WAY! So that is 139,000 air miles total. It says here(http://www.travelmatters.org/calculator/individual/methodology) that a commercial airliner creates .64 ponds of CO2 per mile, so thats approximately 88,960 pounds of CO2. Granted those planes would have probably flown those routes whether our officials were on them or not. But I remember very well during the proposed plastic bag ban for instance that "every little bit hurts." I wonder what he Environmental Sustainability Commission will have to say about this?

Craig Maxwell May 4, 2012 at 02:15 pm

Ah, the amusing ease with which tech-savvy taxpayers are now able to expose the wasteful self-indulgence of prehistoric politicians like Art Madrid and Dave Allan.

Scott H. Kidwell May 4, 2012 at 02:16 pm

Kevin,
Your observation that the planes would fly anyway is one justification I have heard that our elected officials use. Maybe because the needs of the ruling enlightened class to continue to gain all they can so as to properly guide our lives is superior to the rules we commoners are supposed to live by. Under that line of reasoning it should be no wonder that "do as I say not as I do" leadership is often on display.

Super Terrific Response May 4, 2012 at 03:07 pm

This posting by Mr. Kidwell could have been strengthened had he added a few comparisons with other pubic agencies. In other words, compare and contrast what the city of La Mesa spends on travel with that of similar-sized cities in the region. Or, compare the percentage of spending on travel with all cities in San Diego County or all public agencies in East County (such as Helix Water District, La Mesa Spring Valley School District, Grossmont Healthcare District, etc.). This would have given the taxpayers (or Patch readers) a true comparison with which to make an informed decision.

Kevin George May 4, 2012 at 03:21 pm

How about if you compare Art and Daves expenses to Ernie Ruth and Dr A?

Craig Maxwell May 4, 2012 at 03:35 pm

Mr. Kidwell's posting could have been strengthened by showing that the phrase "wasteful public spending" is nearly redundant.

Cygnus nigrum May 4, 2012 at 04:21 pm

One might also have hoped Mr. George would enlighten the reader with CO2 emission comparisons for Amtrak, Greyhound or comparable bus service, and various personal transportation devices bearing one to sixteen wheels, and taking into account any offsets for carpooling. He should then contrast this information with heat loss in the videoconferencing transmission lines, or a pro rata adjustment from known data regarding GHG emissions involved in launching communication satellites. Only then could taxpayers apprehend Council travel reimbursements.

Kevin George May 4, 2012 at 06:06 pm

I know one thing for sure, the CO2 emissions for staying home is zero.

Craig Maxwell May 4, 2012 at 07:05 pm

Trips abroad allow Art to; A) Play the big-shot among strangers; and, B) Anonymously whistle meat in the street should he overdo it at the bar.

Komfort May 4, 2012 at 07:09 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH9sAENQNV8

Craig Maxwell May 4, 2012 at 07:29 pm

Remarkable footage, Jason. But, as this clip reveals, they still remain remarkably
unreceptive to outside criticism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1Yu8eqRMVg&feature=related

Scott H. Kidwell May 4, 2012 at 09:52 pm

I have added the information I received from Lemon Grove, Santee, Encinitas and San Diego for the FY ending in 2010 and 2011. It also shows the respective city population. San Diego officials, who did respond, did so through their respective offices. The others were by the city clerks.

Jimmy Sanders May 4, 2012 at 10:00 pm

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058981/

Batman May 5, 2012 at 12:37 am

Remember when Dave ran against Art in '02 and Dave's campaign consultant exposed Art's huge city-issue cell phone bill? They didn't break it down into work-related vs personal calls though.
Anyway, every tree, plant, bush and blade of grass on the planet was grateful for the 88,960 lbs of CO2 they generated. And I will leave them with that compliment.

Scott H. Kidwell May 6, 2012 at 11:53 am

Officials are currently required to provide oral reports on their travels and expenditures, but that seems to be a very loose accounting for any member of the public being able to evaluate the worth of the expense. Would it not be better for a pre-expense review to be required to be submitted to the full council wherein the specific purpose of the travel is described along with the expected results? This should also include a explanation of why the travel is necessary instead of doing business via the multitude of available electronic media. And once the trip is completed, a follow up written report of actual accomplishments should be required.

Kevin George May 7, 2012 at 01:38 pm

Sorry for the environmental curve ball Batman.
The environment is comparatively low on my list on importance, I was pointing out the hypocrisy. The Mayor never misses a chance to mention the environment, need I remind you of the plastic bag vendetta. Green, green, green, is a constant theme. Yet when it is expedient for the Mayor to fly to Baltimore, New Orleans, San Fransisco or Phoenix his " green" agenda is suddenly eclipsed by his addiction to all things political .

Kevin George May 7, 2012 at 08:12 pm

Scott, did you see the agenda for Tuesdays Council meeting including a review an update on La Mesa's climate protection actions( item #7)?
Fairly well timed don't you think?

Scott H. Kidwell May 7, 2012 at 10:56 pm

Yes!
http://lamesa.patch.com/blog_posts/the-cost-of-going-to-green-vehicles-questions-for-the-council

Scott H. Kidwell May 7, 2012 at 11:05 pm

I don't believe much has changed!
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/mar/10/are-lawmakers-really-leading-the-way/

Scott H. Kidwell June 16, 2012 at 02:29 am

The Mayor is in Orlando on another junket. I do not recall that he provided the required AB1234 report in city council meeting before he left.
http://usmayors.org/80thAnnualMeeting/ http://usmayors.orlandomeetinginfo.com/

Melonie June 16, 2012 at 03:54 am

While the cat's away the mice (err mouse) will play...

Komfort June 16, 2012 at 04:34 am

What is in Orlando?
"Chico's Dirty Tacos and Tequila" http://www.chicosdirtytacos.com/news.html Oh.

Scott H. Kidwell June 16, 2012 at 11:54 am

Lot's of lobbying going on at the conference by VP Biden. I'm from the government and I'm here to help you!
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-15/news/os-vp-biden-mayors-orlando-20120615_1_mayors-joe-biden-support-cities

Things I Learned June 16, 2012 at 12:56 pm

Dogfish Head Brewery Tap Takeover
June 16, 2012 Location: World of Beer - Dr. Phillips Address: 7800 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819 Time:Noon to 2:00 am Admission: Free Phone: 407-355-3315 Event Website Add to Itinerary Description: The Dogfish Head Brewery Tap Takeover features more than 40 kinds of beer on tap, a flavor bar with multiple ingredients and live music. http://www.visitorlando.com/includes/events/index.cfm?action=displayDetail&eventid=393462

Komfort June 18, 2012 at 10:45 am

Madrid is going after teachers?? This must be a tough year for him.
http://m.yahoo.com/w/legobpengine/news/mayors-back-parents-seizing-control-schools-100554121--sector.html?orig_host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=US&.lang=en-US "(Reuters) - Hundreds of mayors from across the United States this weekend called for new laws letting parents seize control of low-performing public schools and fire the teachers, oust the administrators or turn the schools over to private management. The U.S. Conference of Mayors, meeting in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday unanimously endorsed "parent trigger" laws aimed at bypassing elected school boards and giving parents at the worst public schools the opportunity to band together and force immediate change."

Scott H. Kidwell June 18, 2012 at 08:14 pm

There were over 100 resolutions approved by the group this past weekend. They do not appear to recorded votes but instead go by a voice only approval. As far as I can see there is is no real way to determine who actually voted for or against any of the passed resolutions or the resolutions that did not pass muster.
Looking at the list one could easily see how a attendee, depending on the audience at hand, could demonstrate he/she was for or against just about issue on the table http://www.usmayors.org/80thAnnualMeeting/media/ADOPTEDRESOLUTIONS2012.pdf

Things I Learned June 18, 2012 at 08:29 pm

How can you think that any program that begins by taking a brave stance in favor of food and ends with a memorial to Ray Bradbury is a waste of time and money? If this junket inspires one person to eat or another to write obituaries it's worth it!

Scott H. Kidwell June 18, 2012 at 10:47 pm

Touche'