The Award-Winning Money Trail

Already this is shaping up to be a banner week -- and it's only Tuesday.

Yesterday we reported details of just who paid for what to send a 66-person strong contingent to Tampa to campaign for Akron's three-peat All-America City. According to information from the Mayor's spokesman Mark Williamson and Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth, $25,000 of the tab came from City funds...Lieberth says he raised another $13,000 from private sources (now identified as FirstEnergy, Summa and the University of Akron) for a total of $38,000 to cover expenses of those who didn't pay their own way.

Today I get an e-mail from the Mayor (through Williamson) wanting to correct where the money came from. Plusquellic says JEDD money pays for "these programs", and it really isn't costing Akron taxpayers.

Come again? So now instead of Akron paying for Akron's award the bill was really paid by money that came from Coventry, Springfield, Copley and Bath Townships? So now the Akron All-America City Award should really be the "Akron-Coventry-Springfield-Copley-Bath" All-America City Award?


Workers and businesses in the suburbs are the ones who wound up footing the bill for the trip without getting any credit (until now), but thanks to the Mayor for clearing up exactly where the dough came from, and insisting we make note of the fact that Akron's taxpayers didn't pay for Akron's All-America City Award.

My colleagues on NewsNight Akron this past Friday -- Eric Mansfield, Jody Miller and Steve Hoffman -- all cried foul that I would dare pose the question of who paid for what, and question the need for more than five dozen people to join the cheerleaders squad. Shouldn't we be basking in the three-peat, and not wasting time asking questions over a piddling $25,000? What's $25,000 in the greater scheme of things? (One way to approach it: it's isn't "25 grand"; it's twenty five thousand dollars...that may give you a more personal perspective.)

My point isn't to take away from Akron's recognition -- we were among the first to report the honor, and the City should revel in the Award as hard-earned proof we're still one of the best locations in the nation. My point remains it is a matter of public business who pays for what, especially when the Tampa-bound team numbered more than the typical football team on the road. It does matter who pays for what; $25,000 may be a dip in the bucket of a half-billion dollar budget but if it's coming out of your wallet do you still think it's just pennies?

Wags in Washington used to talk about the good ol' days when a million dollars was a million, meaning it's OK to talk about "big money" when it gets in the billions but a million here and a million there won't be missed. I daresay anyone outside the Beltway, or anyone who makes a living outside the Capitol grounds in Columbus or in the government buildings on South High in Akron would disagree.

As for the JEDD partners: thanks for the trip. I'm sure those signs showcasing the third award bearing the Mayor's name will make a nice reminder driving into the City...