Taft preached need for ethics at recent event ("Public servants must pay if they want to play." )

Cleveland Plain Dealer ^ | June 23, 2005 | Julie Carr Smyth

[Columbus Dawg]

-- Gov. Bob Taft gave some ethics advice to a Cincinnati symposium six weeks ago: "Public servants must pay if they want to play."

Taft told participants in the Xavier University event: "Public employees can enjoy entertainment, such as golf or dining out, with persons working for a regulated company, or one doing business with the state, ONLY if they fully pay their own way."

Yet, on Wednesday, Taft found himself working to determine how many times he played -- golf, that is -- and didn't pay. Taft volunteered the reporting errors to the media, without details, in a statement issued Tuesday night.

At least two of the outings Taft attended were at Toledo's exclusive Inverness Club with rare-coin dealer and prolific Republican fund-raiser Tom Noe, the subject of civil and criminal investigations into a state investment contract and campaign contributions to President Bush. The club's records have been subpoenaed as part of the Noe probe, a law enforcement source said.

Taft also golfed once, socially, with Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted, who could not recall Tuesday who paid or if he reported the event, his chief of staff said. Political insiders around Capitol Square estimate there could be more than a dozen other outings that don't show up on Taft's financial disclosure statements.

[Columbus Dawg]

"Public servants must pay if they want to play."--RINO Bob

I don't know to say.

[Loyal Buckeye]

IMO, a governor should not have to keep track of who/when/where he plays golf. Taft and our previous governors should have spent more timeo on the golf course and doing other things to bring business to the state rather than sitting in their offices shuffling papers.

Gov. Rhodes persuaded Honda to come to Ohio while on the golf course.

I'm not defending Taft; however, being tied down by silly rules is non productive for everyone.

[Columbus Dawg]

Agreed. You bring up good points. I would like to see the Governor of Ohio get out into the communities more. The last one to do that on a regular basis was Jim Rhodes. For example, Rhodes was always at the Ohio State Fair. Rhodes would talk to the parents and adults, but he always made time to talk to the kids. Since Jim Rhodes left, I think there has been a disconnect between the people and the governor (Celeste, Voinovich, Taft). Hopefully that can change.
I have no problem with Taft playing golf. The problem here is if he is doing it LEGALLY and reporting it. Yes, someone on his staff should make sure the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. Taft should also know better as well, especially after making people resign for doing the same thing.