Diane Melendez
08-08-2009, 06:49 PM
Ron Littlepage got this right. Some city agencies have seem to think that they are in another world...one that does not include having to act responsibly with tax dollars. JAA an organization that had grown both arrogant and self serving under John Clark is still attempting to behave the way it always has, with quite a bit of encouragement from Michael Stewart, who should be sent packing as Clark's former hot shot henchman. Here is what Ron points out and the reality is outrageous.
city facing a budget crisis, every public entity is going to have to step up and be part of the solution. That includes the independent authorities, which usually wince at such a suggestion and say it can't be done.
That response is not acceptable. Let's start with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
If you dig deep into the authority's proposed budget for the next fiscal year, you will find pots of money set aside for such things as these: $25,000 for Jacksonville Jaguar tickets, $10,000 for Gator Bowl tickets and $15,000 for passes to The Players Championship.
There's another $70,000 set aside for membership dues in the Airport Council International - North America, and tens of thousands of dollars are budgeted for international travel.
This is belt-tightening during a deep recession?
The Aviation Authority argues that because of federal rules, it can only spend money to "develop and maintain the aviation system."
Well, if buying Jaguar tickets - not to mention spending $600,000 on a giant bronze head and display at the entrance to the airport - is developing the aviation system, then kicking in some cash to help fill the city's $90 million budget hole should qualify as well.
For full story: http://www.jacksonville.com/opinion/columnists/ron_littlepage/2009-08-07/story/let_the_local_budget_ax_fall_on_aviation_authorit
city facing a budget crisis, every public entity is going to have to step up and be part of the solution. That includes the independent authorities, which usually wince at such a suggestion and say it can't be done.
That response is not acceptable. Let's start with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
If you dig deep into the authority's proposed budget for the next fiscal year, you will find pots of money set aside for such things as these: $25,000 for Jacksonville Jaguar tickets, $10,000 for Gator Bowl tickets and $15,000 for passes to The Players Championship.
There's another $70,000 set aside for membership dues in the Airport Council International - North America, and tens of thousands of dollars are budgeted for international travel.
This is belt-tightening during a deep recession?
The Aviation Authority argues that because of federal rules, it can only spend money to "develop and maintain the aviation system."
Well, if buying Jaguar tickets - not to mention spending $600,000 on a giant bronze head and display at the entrance to the airport - is developing the aviation system, then kicking in some cash to help fill the city's $90 million budget hole should qualify as well.
For full story: http://www.jacksonville.com/opinion/columnists/ron_littlepage/2009-08-07/story/let_the_local_budget_ax_fall_on_aviation_authorit