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OUR VIEW How many city councilmen do you think would spend $14.95 for breakfast or $26.95 for soup and a sandwich if the money were coming from their own pockets? They wouldn't be happy about $119 for a room either... Planning is essential to the success of almost all endeavors. Whether it be a small dinner party at one's home or a feast for hundreds, an orderly arrangement of all the details will help ensure that everything goes smoothly. And so it is with private businesses and public bodies. Plans must be made today to meet tomorrow's challenges. With this in mind, we applaud both the City of Gaffney and Board of Public Works for their recent planning workshops. We strongly disagree, however, with their decisions to hold these planning meetings outside of Gaffney. The BPW met in North Carolina in February and the city met last month in Greenville. Why did they feel it necessary to 'get out of town?' These out of town gatherings virtually eliminate any residents from attending and limit press coverage. Not to mention the expense. The city spent about $7,000 for a 3-day, 2-night stay at Greenville's Hyatt. (We do not yet have the cost of the BPW meeting, but have asked for them.) Rooms were $119 per night for council and staff. The city (meaning those who pay City of Gaffney taxes) paid $2,617 for meals - $14.95 per person for each of three breakfasts and $26.95 for each of two lunches, which consisted of soup, salad and a New Yorkstyle deli sandwich. We realize that $7,000 out of a multi-million dollar budget is a pittance, but it's the principle of the thing. How many city councilmen do you think would spend $14.95 for breakfast or $26.95 for soup and a sandwich if the money were coming from their own pockets? They wouldn't be happy about $119 for a room either, but if the taxpayers of the City of Gaffney are footing the bill, then hey, why not? Are there no suitable facilities to hold these meetings right here at home? Sure there are. In conducting these meetings out of town, our elected officials are sending a message that Gaffney isn't good enough for them. Local hoteliers, caterers and restaurant owners should be particularly incensed. City officials are spending vast amounts of time and money developing ways to entice visitors to our fair city and yet they choose NOT to meet here themselves? Mayor Henry Jolly defended the decision to meet out of town saying, "We have a workshop and we work. It's a plus to get alone by yourselves and not be bothered by the daily grind. "Anytime we can all sit down together and reason together, it's worth it," he added. We would remind the mayor, city councilmen and BPW commissioners that there are numerous places right here in Gaffney to do just that. Here are the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the members of Gaffney City Council, including
Mayor Henry Jolly. |
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