Compared to the Raleigh City Council, the Wake County school board had a really cheap reception this week for new members.
As noted in today's article by Sarah Ovaska, Raleigh taxpayers will foot a $9,854.66 bill for food and drink for Monday's reception for newly sworn-in council members. In contrast, Tuesday's reception for new school board members will cost $749.66, with the cost being picked up by private citizens and not the public.
"That's a disgrace in this day and age," said Joe Ciulla of the cost of the Raleigh reception.
Ciulla, Sarah Redpath and Kristen Stocking are picking up the cost of the school board reception out of their own pockets. All three are leaders of the Wake Schools Community Alliance.
At Raleigh's reception, people dined on fresh fruit, imported and domestic cheese, trays with crackers, antipasto plates, hibachi beef skewers and curried chicken kebabs. It was washed down with chardonnay and merlot wines, beer, sodas and bottled water.
At the school board reception, the school district provided coffee, punch and snacks such as lemon bars and brownies. Kathleen Dusto, the campaign manager for new school board member Debra Goldman, brought a cake that she had paid for herself.
Ciulla said he's wondering why the bill from the school district is so high. He said he had been told ahead of time that it was going to be much less. Still, he said they'll pick up the tab.
Comments
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Fri, 01/08/2010 - 22:26 — yuying520aksdhakjh
Call and email THEM!
Sat, 12/05/2009 - 13:27 — louiselee44I hope you will share your opinions with the City Council members, etc., and not just on this blog. They need to be inundated with calls, emails, etc. to let them know that the public won't stand for this. Hopefully some of them will chip in to pay back a lot of the expense. If not, well... that will speak for itself.
Unacceptable
Sat, 12/05/2009 - 11:46 — mommy59My husband is on his second job lose this year.We could have used this money to buy groceries,pay bills.school supplies and doctor visits. These people have no common sense to have wasted this money for themselves during a recession.
It's not a disgrace. It is
Sat, 12/05/2009 - 10:59 — red_balloonIt's less a disgrace and more an indication of the fiscal recklessness rampant at the City. The Mayor and council members demonstrate the poor behavior that percolates from the City manager through to other administrative tiers.
Just wondering
Sat, 12/05/2009 - 09:58 — shank56I think the taxpayers pay for drinks and snacks at BOE and committee meetings. There is a break room off of the board conference room and I 've seen BOE members and staff partake of cookies, crackers, soft drinks, etc. They may even be served lunch at times.
Should we pay for that, or should they brown bag their own snacks and drinks?
So, are you saying you do
Sat, 12/05/2009 - 10:25 — woodstockSo, are you saying you do not see a distinction between a rather extravagant spread, including beer and wine, with 300 of the city council's "closest friends" and some snacks and beverages during a working session?
Disgusting
Sat, 12/05/2009 - 07:15 — woodstock"At Raleigh's (City Council) reception, people dined on fresh fruit, imported and domestic cheese, trays with crackers, antipasto plates, hibachi beef skewers and curried chicken kebabs. It was washed down with chardonnay and merlot wines, beer, sodas and bottled water."
With double digit unemployment, pending lay-offs, widespread budget cuts, and a very uncertain economy, the City Council reception is absolutely disgusting. They should be ashamed of themselves; it shows extremely poor judgement and is profoundly disrespectful to taxpayers.
My hat is off to the WSCA and the new school board members who are obviously much better attuned to their constituents and responsibilities as public servants.
Yeah well,
Sat, 12/05/2009 - 19:39 — SDR256Even so, I attended the Dec 1 BoE meeting, and there were four plates of bar cookies, a couple of bowls of nuts, two bowls of punch and the tab is $750? Unbelievable. If this is a small snapshot of what's happening in the government in general we need a lot more sunshine on these expenses.
Lots of food needed
Sun, 12/06/2009 - 00:08 — louiselee44Remember how many people were there - eating away.
worth $750?
Sun, 12/06/2009 - 14:40 — SDR256I don't think everyone made it to the reception room. I made it to the room but didn't eat any of it because I was too busy talking. I did have a glass of punch. And I didn't see anyone replenish the cookies, did you? Just sayin.....seems expensive for what was there. Let's start a new tradition. Have parents and taxpayers follow Kathy Dusto's lead and bring something. I have a great brownie recipe.
Actually...
Sun, 12/06/2009 - 23:20 — louiselee44I'd be glad to contribute. Seriously!
I did see replenishing (after I went through - oink, oink).
:^)
Good idea
Sun, 12/06/2009 - 16:32 — TrailerParkGirlAnother possibility - food and beverages for functions could also donated by area businesses.
Gee
Sun, 12/06/2009 - 23:58 — SDR256Oh, thank you both - - just goes to show we have GREAT parents in this 'system' aka - COMMUNITY - if we only can find a way to call on them (us) consistently. That's the trick.
Great ideas and great offers. Thanks. Louise, of course you know you may be called on your offer, but knowing you you wouldn't have made it if you didn't mean it. Its not a big deal, and yet it is. Thanks.
Must have been top-shelf coffee and punch
Sat, 12/05/2009 - 23:44 — TrailerParkGirlYes - sunshine, flood lights, stage lights desperately needed.