As some of you readers may know, our website (
http://mayorwatch.blogspot.com) covers the San Jose mayoral election with close scrutiny. SJ is a fertile ground for growing future Democratic leaders. The approaching election features a progressive Dem (Cindy Chavez) battling a "DINO" (Chuck Reed).
Today, news came out that Reed - who has made ethics the theme of his campaign - was reimbursed by the taxpayers for food, donations, political contributions etc. to the tune of more than $38k by some estimates. Take a look.
The San Jose Mercury News is reporting that:
Since joining the San Jose City Council six years ago, Chuck Reed has charged city taxpayers for such things as his life membership in veterans organizations, donations to tsunami relief and cancer walks, and even his contributions to two political committees.
Examples of these expenses can be found here, and include:
Dec. 15, 2005: Wildlife Center Silicon Valley membership, $100
Nov. 3, 2005: Italian American Heritage Foundation membership, $100
Nov. 3, 2005: Outnow for AIDS benefit, $250
Aug. 17, 2005: Ad in El Observador newspaper for Mariachi Festival, $75
June 15, 2005: KTEH membership, $75
May 25, 2005: Juneteenth Sponsorship ad in program, $350
Jan. 23, 2005: Donation to Friends of Lan Nguyen for school board inaugural, $50
Jan. 14, 2005: Donation to Rotary Club Endowment for Tsunami Relief, $100
Nov. 23, 2004: Donation to Greenbelt Alliance, $500
Oct. 25, 2004: Councilwoman Pat Dando retirement dinner, $55
June 3, 2004: Gay Pride Parade program ad, $160
March 30, 2004: Donation to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, $100
Feb. 26, 2004: Ad in program for San Jose Fire Department 150th anniversary celebration, $500
Jan. 21, 2004: Donation to Tet Festival organizing committee, $500
Jan. 6, 2004: Donation to Equal Rights Advocates, $100
So, Reed is charging taxpayers for his KTEH membership? Making political donations on taxpayer money? How "honest" is it to do use taxpayer money for political donations and memberships to PBS?
Oh, and remember that Reed claimed that Chavez was a "freeloader?" Seems he missed the mark on that one too:
Reed last week accused Chavez of ``freeloading'' by attending such events without paying for them, but Schall said Chavez has checkbook records showing more than $13,000 in personal payments for such events and donations since she joined the council in 1999, a figure that doesn't include two years for which her checkbook register was stolen.
How do other councilmembers handle these expenses? They pay for them out of their personal accounts:
Council members have wide discretion over how they spend money from their office accounts. They must provide documentation for any expenses to the city clerk, who processes the payments. City Clerk Lee Price said the standard for expenses is that the funds must be used ``for official city business and/or in support of city business.'' But deciding what falls under that category generally is left to council members.
Based on interviews with some of Reed's council colleagues and their aides Monday night, it appears that his practice is unusual.
At least four council members say they only use their personal funds or officeholder accounts, which are funded by private donations.
``I'm real concerned that he has done that,'' said councilwoman Nora Campos, a Chavez supporter. ``I think it sets a bad tone and example.''
Councilwoman Judy Chirco said, ``My practice is I pay for it personally.''
Councilman Ken Yeager said he would ``never use city funds'' to pay for such items.
Councilman Forrest Williams said he uses personal funds for all memberships. But he only uses his city expense account for such purposes as a business trip or dinner that is related to his council duties.
It seems that Reed, when left to his own discretion, finds a justification to charge taxpayers for his personal memberships to organizations and donations to political campaigns. How "honest" are these actions? (especially given that he seems to be the only councilmember charging taxpayers for these items)
Just pointing out, once again, that "honesty" is more about actions then words.