Palin Spent $50,000 In City Funds To Redecorate Mayor's Office, Ex-Colleague Says

Salon:

Sarah Palin has been touting herself as fiscal watchdog throughout her political career. But Palin's tenure as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, was characterized by waste, cronyism and incompetence, according to government officials in the Matanuska Valley, where she began her fairy-tale political rise.

"Executive abilities? She doesn't have any," said former Wasilla City Council member Nick Carney, who selected and groomed Palin for her first political race in 1992 and served with her after her election to the City Council.

Four years later, the ambitious Palin won the Wasilla mayor's office -- after scorching the "tax and spend mentality" of her incumbent opponent. But Carney, Palin's estranged former mentor, and others in city hall were astounded when they found out about a lavish expenditure of Palin's own after her 1996 election. According to Carney, the newly elected mayor spent more than $50,000 in city funds to redecorate her office, without the council's authorization.

Read the whole story: Salon

Comments

[jeffp26]

You thought Bristol could snag a hunk like Levi Johnston, who is a hunk but ice skates like a girl, without red light bulbs?

[LemonMeringue]

Did she go for the Nanook of the North style? That really is her in this photo. http://www.grizzlybay.org/SarahPalinInfoPage.htm

[LemonMeringue]

If she spent $50,000 remodeling in this building, it seems like a waste of money as I doubt the whole building is worth that much.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/319098225_e3fb99541f.jpg?v=0

[MBryant]

When I first saw this story I thought she spent $50K on the governor's office and thought it was a silly story and the expense not frugal - but not absurd. But $50K on the mayor's office of a small town? It's probably only like $10 per taxpayer - but that's the rub - I'm sure there are other things Wasilians could think of to do with $10. And she went on junkets to Washington as well.

Maybe when the Kenyan witch hunter came to Alaska .... he found one...

[LemonMeringue]

They desperate needed a new sewer system.

Even after she raised taxes 38% and stuck them with a new ice hockey arena, they did not get their new sewer.

[LAB11]

This bridge is definitly leading to nowhere, and fast. Mac's vp is palin' !

[1differentdrummer]

The unitary executive.

[GiggidyGeshmoygen]

(excerpted from Salon article)

"Executive abilities? She doesn't have any," said former Wasilla City Council member Nick Carney.

"I thought it was an outrageous expense, especially for someone who had run as a budget cutter," said Carney. "It was also illegal, because Sarah had not received the council's approval."

Carney confronted Mayor Palin at a City Council hearing, and was shocked by her response.

"I told her it was against the law to make such a large expenditure without the council taking a vote. She said, 'I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't.'

==========­==========­==========­==========­========

gee, where have we seen and heard that before?

I'M THE DECIDER AND I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT UNTIL THE COURTS TELL ME I CAN'T.

[LemonMeringue]

Sarah the Decider!

Only she cannot decide anything without Todd the "shadow governor." Some feminist.

[NotWithObamaCampaign]

is it true she's really a rooskie?

[markusmarkus]

Slim Pickens seems to think so!

[LemonMeringue]

It is not possible that the entire building was worth $50,000 before this renovation.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/319098225_e3fb99541f.jpg?v=0

The citizens should sue her for wasting their money.

[LemonMeringue]

I just read that she was planning a company called Rouge Cou which means red neck in French - in her words, classy redneck.

ROFLMAO

[CompetenceMatters]

How many rape kits would that money have paid for?

[bushgirlsgone]

.

Exclusive photos of the restoration!

http://bushgirlsgonewild.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/sarah-palin%e2%80%99s-50000-office-renovation-%e2%80%93-exclusive-photos/

.

[ds2oo8]

Find the most comprehensive information on Sarah Palin at:

www.dailysource.org/palin

In-depth research, audio clips, videos, excerpts, and links to hundreds of articles, including many from newspapers and TV stations in Alaska. It has rare footage, including her telling the ‘08 convention of the Alaska Independence Party, whose aim is to give Alaska a vote on seceding from the U.S., to “keep up the good work.” The level of research is unparalled.

[doctordoubt]

Somehow this is all a new type of scam. He can't be so far gone as to think she is an asset to him. And if they are anything, the repugs are true to their nature. This leaves me believeing that at some point, when tehre is too much heat, they will simply drop her from teh ticket with various excuses, and put Leiberman in, or someone similar. Remember, he was a dem, until.....­They know there is no way she can be elected, or him, if they are paired.

[nton]

Hypocrisy your name is Sarah Palin