Posted on 06/17/2006 11:05:46 AM PDT by John Semmens
More than 200 mayors converged on Las Vegas for four days of policy discussion amidst a backdrop of taxpayer and corporate funded partying. The City of Las Vegas is spending $1.8 million entertaining the public officials, $1.3 million of that comes from corporate donations. The rest is from Las Vegas taxpayers.
Former mob-lawyer, Mayor Oscar Goodman, defended the bash as essential to his ego trip. "I want everyone going home and saying Las Vegas is the greatest place in the world and saying Oscar Goodman is the coolest person who ever lived," Goodman said.
Aside from discussions on legal ways to reward friends using tax dollars and a debate on untrackable cash vs. unpriced perks, the agenda included a round of golf, poker lessons from a professional, a blowout ball with performances from top Las Vegas talent, a free, private performance of Cirque du Soleil, and a pool-side luau at the city's hottest new casino, Red Rock Station.
"I especially enjoyed the 24/7 open bar," said a midwest mayor who asked to remain anonymous.
U.S. Conference of Mayors President Beverly O'Neill, mayor of Long Beach, Calif., said she's comfortable with the corporate presence at the meeting. "There's only so much we can squeeze out of the taxpayers," said O'Neill. "We can put the basics of travel, food and lodging on the taxpayers tab, but the posh goodies can only be had from corporate sponsors."
O'Neill dismissed the idea that mayors would be corrupted by the event. "Unless these corporations got an agreement beforehand they are SOL in my book," said O'Neill, who says she considers herself a tough negotiator. "I'm a taker, not a giver as anyone who has had to deal with me knows."
Several mayors pointed out that members of congress enjoy an estimated $10 million per year in corporate perks. "Congressmen get these kind of benefits all the time," said Guy Holcomb, mayor of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. "Why shouldn't we get a piece of the pie?"
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http://www.azconservative.org/Semmens1.htm
Nice use of PUBLIC money!
It's sickening to see these public servants act like kings at a court and how they have a blatent disregard for the people they serve.
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