Lobbying Activity BEAUMONT; CITY OF

  I am writing to support Lloyd Wright's petition....for a forensic audit covering the last 5 yrs.  Of course we know what the City is going to say-

• We dont have the money.
• It is a waste of time and energy.

 Have no fear, the Man from U.N.C.L.E. is here, with a few questions and a  plan to make it happen.

•   Have you ever wondered what the City of Beaumont is lobbying for or against?
• Who makes that decision for US the taxpayers?
• Is it the Council that is elected to represent OUR interests?
• Is it at the direction of the City Manager and/or his Consultants?
• Just who does this activity REALLY benefit?

  Its obvious that the City feels no need to comply with the due dates of such things as GAAP audits, OTS grant reports and conditions and many other finance related issues.  Alas, if there is no penalty, there is little reason to comply.
  However, such things as Municipal Lobbying efforts and their reporting, ARE NOT taken lightly by the powers that be and as such Beaumont is in compliance.(2011-2012)  SURPRISE SURPRISE!  If you cant quite make out the picture posted and its numbers, please follow the link provided in the captions.  It contains the amount of money spent and the bills in the Senate and Assembly lobbied for and against.  I urge you to take a look.
  Finally I would propose, in support of Mr Wright's effort, that we curtail this spending, to paid lobbyists,  in the amount necessary  to fund a forensic audit for the past 5 yrs.  I view this as a win-win situation.

•  The City, as it steadfastly claims, has nothing to hide and the numbers will always be more believable than suspect special interests.
• The people wanting a full accounting, by an Independent 3rd party, will accept the results.
• Everyone on both sides will have a better understanding of our obligations, debt structure, reserves, and the viability of the financing and running of City government and projects such as the Potrero Interchange and the $60 million treatment plant.
  
• Then and only then can we make a rational decisions of not just where we want to go, but if that is even possible.

  These are long term questions and projects with far reaching benefits and consequences.  We  have a vested interest in ALL these issues.  My fear is that if we continue to ignore these questions that in a few short years, there will be no one to answer for decisions made in the past.
  SUPPORT THE PETITION BY LLOYD WRIGHT FOR A FORENSIC AUDIT!!  (Even if the City Manager asks...Whats that?)