Any pile of unspent money to a politician is as irresistible as moth to a flame. The politician must spend it even if to its own destruction. Bonuses given to council members' staff when civil servants were undergoing pay cuts or furloughs can be perceived as rather crass and uncaring.
I find it hard to understand how the leadership claim tough economic times, raising taxes, furloughing and/or cutting pay and yet give bonuses when they determine they have a pile of unspent money toward the end of the budget year.
Interestingly, two of the newest members of the council chose not to give bonuses. I guess they have not yet become infected or brainwashed that money unspent is bad. Good.
As guardians of the taxpayers' money, this incident is a clear indication of the failure of the council to perform one of its primary function.
If they want, they can send me some of that. I want to buy some jewelry and an electric car.
Ron Sambrano
Lahaina
