In the worst economy since the Great Depression, struggling Columbia taxpayers have financed more than $16,000 in gourmet junkets as Ward 3 Councilman Karl Skala jetted to vacation destinations from coast to coast.
Surf n Turf
Karl Skala is living high and indulging his gourmet habits at the expense of Columbia residents who are counting every dollar in this tough economy. His gourmet destinations included Orlando, New Orleans, Charleston, S.C., San Antonio, Austin, Albuquerque, Chicago, Seattle, Portland and Washington, D.C. Spending close to $100 on some dinners, Karl Skala and his party savored Surf & Turf, Filet Mignon, Lamb, Duck Breast, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell and other high-priced seafood, plus expensive desserts – all at taxpayer expense.
Columbia taxpayers are enabling Karl Skala’s gourmet lifestyle, despite a longstanding City Travel Policy (Council Bill PR 176-99A) stating: “The Mayor and Council members shall exercise careful judgment to keep travel expenses to a reasonable amount.”
But for Karl Skala, Columbia taxpayers covered conference fees, air fare, and multi-night hotel stays plus meal expenses, with tabs for some trips running into thousands of dollars – more than any other Council member and in many cases, more than the Mayor.
Gary Kespohl, a small businessman and community volunteer who is challenging Karl Skala in the April 6 election, called the incumbent’s gourmet travels a waste of taxpayer money. Kespohl pledged Tuesday that as Ward 3 Councilman, he will not take taxpayer-funded trips.
Raw Oysters
The City of Columbia’s reimbursement amounts for rank-and-file city employees traveling on the job are $7 for breakfast, $10 for lunch and $25 for dinner. But public records show Karl Skala blew right through those limits.
In New Orleans, the tab included a $32.00 Filet Mignon, $24.95 for fresh raw oysters on the half shell, $12.75 for an Oyster Po-Boy and a $6.00 bowl of Turtle Soup.
Seafood and beef headlined the menu in Orlando, with $48.00 Surf & Turf, $34.00 for fresh Red Snapper, a $14.00 Short-Rib Sandwich and $7.50 New York Cheesecake, $3.50 Espresso and $9.00 noonday room-service Empanadas plus room service charges.
There was more fine dining in Albuquerque: a $22.00 Duck Breast, a $29.00 Filet Mignon, $8.75 Calamari, $9.75 Antipasto and $6 Tiramisu for dessert.
In Charleston, South Carolina, Karl Skala and his party enjoyed the freshest seafood at the swankiest restaurants praised as gourmet hotspots by The New York Times. There were servings of Salmon Cake and Mahi-Mahi at $7.95 each, Stuffed Tilapia at $17.95, Braised Grouper at $20.95 and Shrimp Salad at $9.00. Karl Skala’s party didn’t neglect four-legged delights, with a $33.00 order of Lamb. Don’t forget dessert: A $6.50 order of Pistachio Ice Cream with extra sauce and walnuts.
Duck breast
Karl Skala has repeatedly busted the annual allocated budget for travel by Council members. He ran up the largest amount of overspending on his gourmet travels of any City Council member during his first two full fiscal years in office. And in his third full fiscal year as Councilman, Karl Skala’s gourmet junkets have already cost more than the travel expenses for any other Council member.
Karl Skala’s gourmet junkets happened as both public entities and private companies, as well as citizens, are cutting spending and holding the line on travel costs, including staying home for Spring Break. Major Columbia public employers, such as the University of Missouri, are slashing travel spending in the interest of responsible stewardship of public money.
Karl Skala recently told the Columbia Daily Tribune (03/14/2010) that he might just run for mayor someday – but for now, “I’ve got lots more work to. I’m just getting the feel for being in city council.’’
$40 dinner plate
Karl Skala has definitely gotten a feel for expensive taxpayer-funded meals, and he didn’t even bring us a doggie bag.
Karl Skala’s pattern of handling taxpayer money to satisfy his own whims includes his support of a $100,000 special fund for Council member discretionary spending – while he declined a downtown organization’s offer to spare taxpayers half the cost of installing safety cameras downtown.
Columbia CANNOT afford three more years of Karl Skala’s squandering. Gary Kespohl will NOT spend taxpayer funds for travel as your Ward 3 City Councilman.
On April 6, vote for a Common-Sense Change: Gary Kespohl for Council.
