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MEMBERS AGREE TO PAY COMPANY $150,000 TO TELL THEM HOW TO SAVE MONEY
Columbia’s seven dwarfs are at it again.
As if taking yet another idea from a book on how to run a city’s economy into the ground, the seven-member City Council voted Wednesday to pay a consulting firm $150,000 to find ways to cut money.
That’s right, they are going to pay a company hundreds of thousands of dollars to tell them how to spend less money. I think that might be the very definition of irony. And it’s a pretty sad one, at that.
Worse yet, the city already has an entire army of individuals who could do this. In fact, they have both a “budget” and “finance” department.
Or the project could be tasked to the city manager… except Mayor Bob Coble refuses to hire one.
So what possible reason could the City Council have for wasting yet another $150,000 of taxpayer money?
One source told The Palmetto Scoop that the move wasn’t driven by stupidity or laziness, but was actually inspired by more nefarious motives.
“They want an independent group to tell them to spend money the way [the city council members] want it to be spent so [the city council members] can then point the finger and say ‘this group told us to spend it that way,’” the source said. “They’re just trying to pass the buck to someone else for their failed policies.”
Of course, what else should taxpayers expect from a group that has spent their way into a $9 million budget shortfall with $1.6 million phantom hotels, $10,000 drag queen performances, and $3,000 “team-building” retreats?
You only get what you vote for! Next time think about what you are about to do in voting these less than lack luster candidiates.
I agree with Mr. Selinger. Voters, and those who don’t but complain, do your research. When these candidates are up for re-election, check out the Council past meeting agendas (they’re online accessible) or attend a meeting. Have they been present, do they take their own initiative on their “great” ideas, or do they ask city staff, or look to other council members to follow through on the item. Notice, if they bring it up on another agenda months later and ask “so what’s going on with this?” Many sit and talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. I know many Mr. Talker’s instead of Mr. Walker’s. City of Columbia Voters, it’s your choice – when re-election comes around – Walkers or Talkers?
Looks like they’re making Finlay walk the plank.
Adam: As an admirer of yours, I feel sure you left out by accident a salient point in this story. You are correct in saying that Columbia City Council is composed of 7 members. But you mistakenly left the impression that all 7 council members voted in favor of this bone-headed idea when, in fact, the vote was 4-2. Councilmen Gergel and Finlay voted against it and Rickenmann was not present. I cannot understand why anyone on council would think this is a good idea, but the 2 who voted against it, while on opposite sides of many issues, concluded this was not a good use of money. Since you are dedicated to truth, justice and the American way, I’m sure you don’t mind a little correction.
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