Post by apriled on Jul 31, 2012 15:40:33 GMT -5
Vote no to the Independent Audit Ordinance on August 2nd.
Here is why. The proposed ordinance actually worsens an already flawed condition. I have worked on bid corruption since 2008 with the organization Hire Here, and have directly confronted Stan Sewell on bypassing the advertisement of bids.
For over a month, citizens and local organizations have been voicing opposition to the ordinance that appears on the August 2nd ballot to create an Independent Internal Audit group. We wish to again strongly urge citizens to vote against or no to the City of Chattanooga ordinance for Independent Audit.
The ordinance has been crafted to serve the interests of an individual, rather than the best interest of the public as intended.
We oppose the ordinance for the creation of an Independent Internal Audit for the following reasons.
1) Under the new ordinance, the voice of citizens and watch groups to request inquiry is completely removed. In the past, our watch group has formally requested inquiry to City Council, and two members, Peter Murphy and Deborah Scott have directed Internal Audit inquires in their role of representation of the people. If the ordinance for Independent Audit passes, our elected officials or City Council members will be rendered powerless in directing inquiry.
2) The ordinance grants very broad and concentrated authority to one individual, and a small appointed board that are professionally cozy. We believe that Internal Audit will be more politicized with their own agenda.
3) The ordinance as written prohibits the City Council from reducing the budget of the proposed Independent Internal Audit, unless the Council reduces the overall city budget. Yet, the salaries are set by the appointed board. This simply ties the hands of our elected representatives to determine financial priorities in budgeting.
4) The Internal Audit group that exists has chronically failed to examine known and pervasive bid corruption that amateur citizens and watch groups have reported with ample data. We fail to see how the existing Internal Audit will benefit from less direction from City Council members and the public in general.
5) The Internal Audit’s lack of transparency in their own political campaign is very troubling. Stan Sewell refuses to disclose the amount and source of funds that have been expended in lobbying the public for a yes vote for this ordinance. If this is what we can expect, it is time to be very concerned about granting this group broad authorities that are not subject to inquiry by elected officials. We believe the pro Internal Audit folks are indeed acting as a group, and are subject to state financial disclosure requirements. Stan Sewell’s refusal to disclose speaks volumes.
Please vote no on the City of Chattanooga ordinance for Independent Audit on August 2nd.
April Eidson
Little Chicago Watch
(our website is down again)
Here is the scoop
www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/30/audit-scheme-stinks-chattanooga-free-press/?opinionfreepress
Here is why. The proposed ordinance actually worsens an already flawed condition. I have worked on bid corruption since 2008 with the organization Hire Here, and have directly confronted Stan Sewell on bypassing the advertisement of bids.
For over a month, citizens and local organizations have been voicing opposition to the ordinance that appears on the August 2nd ballot to create an Independent Internal Audit group. We wish to again strongly urge citizens to vote against or no to the City of Chattanooga ordinance for Independent Audit.
The ordinance has been crafted to serve the interests of an individual, rather than the best interest of the public as intended.
We oppose the ordinance for the creation of an Independent Internal Audit for the following reasons.
1) Under the new ordinance, the voice of citizens and watch groups to request inquiry is completely removed. In the past, our watch group has formally requested inquiry to City Council, and two members, Peter Murphy and Deborah Scott have directed Internal Audit inquires in their role of representation of the people. If the ordinance for Independent Audit passes, our elected officials or City Council members will be rendered powerless in directing inquiry.
2) The ordinance grants very broad and concentrated authority to one individual, and a small appointed board that are professionally cozy. We believe that Internal Audit will be more politicized with their own agenda.
3) The ordinance as written prohibits the City Council from reducing the budget of the proposed Independent Internal Audit, unless the Council reduces the overall city budget. Yet, the salaries are set by the appointed board. This simply ties the hands of our elected representatives to determine financial priorities in budgeting.
4) The Internal Audit group that exists has chronically failed to examine known and pervasive bid corruption that amateur citizens and watch groups have reported with ample data. We fail to see how the existing Internal Audit will benefit from less direction from City Council members and the public in general.
5) The Internal Audit’s lack of transparency in their own political campaign is very troubling. Stan Sewell refuses to disclose the amount and source of funds that have been expended in lobbying the public for a yes vote for this ordinance. If this is what we can expect, it is time to be very concerned about granting this group broad authorities that are not subject to inquiry by elected officials. We believe the pro Internal Audit folks are indeed acting as a group, and are subject to state financial disclosure requirements. Stan Sewell’s refusal to disclose speaks volumes.
Please vote no on the City of Chattanooga ordinance for Independent Audit on August 2nd.
April Eidson
Little Chicago Watch
(our website is down again)
Here is the scoop
www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/30/audit-scheme-stinks-chattanooga-free-press/?opinionfreepress
