2008.02.21
Eighty lunches, $1,797; 39 breakfasts, $664; 26 dinners, $1,169; cost to Roanoke taxpayers...
Well, not exactly priceless.
As covered in today's Roanoke Times by Laurence Hammack, Roanoke City Council members tallied nearly $35,000 on expenses in 2007 on meals, travel, conferences, gala events and the like.
The lead is that Councilman Alfred Dowe racked up nearly half of council's total all by himself.
And if you want to see how Dowe, and every other council member, spent that money, you can track every penny in our database of council's individual expenses. That's right, see where they traveled, who they went to lunch with, and how much they -- or rather the taxpayer -- paid.
The $35k is not such a huge amount in the context of the $250 million city budget. The spending no doubt brought value to the city. Council members, while they do receive a salary, are called upon to meet with all kinds of people and attend functions on city business. And attending conferences to learn what's going on in other cities that our fair city might be improved, it's hard to argue that's a bad thing.
But how much is too much? In all, council members turned in 209 expense items on their city-issued credit cards. (One item might include everything related to an out of town trip.) Dowe accounted for about 90 of those items. Council members turned in conference expenses 34 times (with some conferences attended by up to three council members). Dowe attended 10 conferences on his own, eight of them out of town.
Dowe told Hammack the records don't show all the times he's paid his own way on city business. The records do show he used his city credit card for purchases as small as a buck or two.
Fellow council members defended Dowe. Still, Mayor Nelson Harris acknowledged telling Dowe recently to curb his spending. No doubt that admonishment will slow down Dowe
But what will keep every member of not only Roanoke City Council vigilant with your money -- not to mention every elected or appointed government official with access to taxpayer funded expense account -- is the publication of stories like Hammack's, and open access to information like what you'll find right now in the DataSphere.
If you want someone to think twice about ordering the lobster with your money, when they could do just as well with a hoagie, just make sure they know you're watching.
It appears Alfred Dowe is the only council member reaching out to the Rke community. His expenses in 2007, is nothing compare to how much money is spent in other areas...Should I name a few???
Comment by Toor — February 21, 2008 @ 11:03 pm
$35 for lunch? Somebody shows the man where the McDonald's is. He sure is pending a lot of our money.
I wish he would reach out with some take-out instead. Invite those big wigs to go for a walk or something.
Comment by Henry — February 22, 2008 @ 10:21 am
He is spending the taxpayers money unwisely!!! Clearly limits should be set to curb the spending appetite! His personal spending of taxpayers money is not normal. It calls to question his spending habits in his formal capacity as councilman.
Comment by mike — February 22, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
Mr. Dowe is a finance person, with a finance background. I find it hard to believe he did not realize the magnitude of his spending. Clearly is needs to go on a "spending financial diet"
Comment by Karen — February 22, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
Thanks to The Great City Council of Roanoke. Now I understand why the City needs to constantly increase personal property taxes, water rates, etc. Maybe we could enjoy on of those $35 lunches, since we already paid of it.
Comment by Gary — February 22, 2008 @ 11:10 pm
Can't afford to feed this one let him go. Going to all these meetings to find out how to make Roanoke "bigger and better". Some people like to size of Roanoke just the way it is "bigger and better" is not always "better".
Comment by George — February 23, 2008 @ 1:23 am
How the truth hurts it seems Mr Dowe was a dirty bird afterall. No wonder he was all smiles he was dbl dipping. The only reason he resigned and is being allowed to [pay it back is probably because he has dirt on some other folks in the city. I find it irony somebody this crooked is on the state DCJS board. When the white collar criminals are running the show what are we to do. He knew darn well what he was doing charging stuff to both Roanoke and the state. It was clearly illegal and he should face criminal charges but you can bet he wont
Comment by David — February 24, 2008 @ 9:04 am
unfortunately, this is actually a all too common practice for some public officials; Dowe's case is clearly an extreme abuse...
Comment by will — February 24, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
Well Roanoke is a very unforgiving place so I know this will be hard for Mr. Dowe to live down. Almost seems like a witch hunt by the Roanoke Times...
Comment by Calissa — February 26, 2008 @ 11:25 am
So, you were expecting more out of your Roanoke City Council member? The council lost all respect from me and many other Roanoke citizens the day Ralph Smith left. The children are back in charge now. The only thing any of these incompetents know is how to spend money.
Comment by Rob C — February 26, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
Funny how the Roanoke times will not and does not post comments that are not favorable to them and only will post comments that are negative to Mr. Dowe. Is this a witch hunt by the Roanoke Times? I am sure this comment will not be posted as well.
Comment by Calissa — February 26, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
Build another football stadium for another failing city school. That will make people forget.
Comment by Rob C — February 26, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
I wonder what other under cover shady business is going on with the city council? To be honest, NONE of them should be trusted. I hae a very low opinion of the city council at this time.
Comment by Wales — February 26, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
Dowe should be prosecuted for theft, mail fraud, as well as money laundering. This kind of behavior should not be tolerated. He has disgraced the City of Roanoke. Hope you had a good time Mr. Dowe, I'm not sure the food as quite as good were your going!
Comment by Lee — February 27, 2008 @ 12:35 pm