You are hereDC 35 leader, Business Rep. Michael Lafferty, calls city to account for catered affairs
DC 35 leader, Business Rep. Michael Lafferty, calls city to account for catered affairs
By Dave Wedge, Boston Herald
Thursday Sept. 10, 2010
A top fiscal watchdog says the city’s taxpayer-funded catering tab should be reviewed, while the head of a union hit hard by layoffs called the free lunches “insane.”
Michael Lafferty, business manager for the union representing custodians, dubbed the city’s $130,000 buffet bonanza “inappropriate” when the schools pink-slipped 18 custodians this year.
“$130,000 would have restored three custodial positions,” he said. “It seems kind of insane they’re doing this in this day and age.”
The Herald reported yesterday that the city has shelled out thousands in taxpayer cash for catered meals for city councilors, cops, teachers and other workers.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the council treated themselves to a $2,600 luncheon at the swanky Ames Hotel. They threw another $1,400 lunch during budget hearings.
But the biggest spending took place in the schools where officials spent $69,000 in taxpayer cash on raviolis, pizzas, BBQ and sandwiches. And despite citywide cutbacks, School Superintendent Carol Johnson regularly provides meals at staff meetings.
The Herald found most of the catering jobs went to no-bid contractors including several Menino campaign donors. Sam Tyler, president of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, said of the spending: “It’s worth taking a look at it because there are limited city resources. If it’s excessive . . . then that would be a problem.”
By Dave Wedge, Boston Herald
Thursday Sept. 10, 2010
A top fiscal watchdog says the city’s taxpayer-funded catering tab should be reviewed, while the head of a union hit hard by layoffs called the free lunches “insane.”
Michael Lafferty, business manager for the union representing custodians, dubbed the city’s $130,000 buffet bonanza “inappropriate” when the schools pink-slipped 18 custodians this year.
“$130,000 would have restored three custodial positions,” he said. “It seems kind of insane they’re doing this in this day and age.”
The Herald reported yesterday that the city has shelled out thousands in taxpayer cash for catered meals for city councilors, cops, teachers and other workers.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the council treated themselves to a $2,600 luncheon at the swanky Ames Hotel. They threw another $1,400 lunch during budget hearings.
But the biggest spending took place in the schools where officials spent $69,000 in taxpayer cash on raviolis, pizzas, BBQ and sandwiches. And despite citywide cutbacks, School Superintendent Carol Johnson regularly provides meals at staff meetings.
The Herald found most of the catering jobs went to no-bid contractors including several Menino campaign donors. Sam Tyler, president of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, said of the spending: “It’s worth taking a look at it because there are limited city resources. If it’s excessive . . . then that would be a problem.”
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