Candy Reimbursement Squabble
OHIO CITY OFFICIALS FIGHT OVER CANDY PURCHASE
ELYRIA , OHIO
8 June 2005
There’s a fight brewing in Lorain County over $47.79 worth of candy purchased at for a local parade
The county administrator is seeking to get reimbursed for the eight bags of Tootsie Rolls, Dum Dum Pops and other treats he bought for commissioners to toss out during parades.
But the county auditor says he’s not going to use tax money to reimburse anyone for candy.
An assistant county prosecutor will decide the matter.
June 12th, 2005 at 6:34 pm
THE CONCLUSION - A SWEET DEAL
KRISTA SCHULTZ, Morning Journal Writer
ELYRIA — County Administrator Jim Cordes walked away with a sweet deal yesterday — reimbursement for a controversial candy purchase and several dollars in change from a candy fund jar that mocked the initial denial of the reimbursement.
Lorain County Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Innes submitted a legal opinion yesterday that supported reimbursing Cordes $47.79 he spent for candy that commissioners Betty Blair, Ted Kalo and Lori Kokoski handed out at a Cinco de Mayo parade in Lorain last month.
Lorain County Auditor Mark Stewart questioned the receipt last week and asked Innes to investigate whether Cordes should be reimbursed since the commissioners appeared to be campaigning at the event, Cordes said.
In all, Cordes said, he spent about $130 on candy for commissioners to hand out at the parade and Memorial Day parades in Elyria and Lorain.
Cordes said the candy was a goodwill gesture by the commissioners who were promoting county government. But the commissioners, Cordes, Innes and county Solid Waste Director Dan Billman, as well as those attending yesterday’s meeting, joked about the matter, making light of all the debate over whether Cordes should be reimbursed.
Billman perched a jar labeled ‘’Jim’s Candy Fund'’ with a cartoon picture of Cordes surrounded by pieces of candy on the table in front of the commissioners before the meeting started.
The jar contained a dollar bill and some change. Kalo named the dog of the week from the county’s dog pound ‘’Snickers'’ in honor of what he called the week’s drama. A dog from the pound is brought to the meeting each week in an effort to promote its adoption.
Since starting the practice about two months ago, every featured dog has been adopted, Kalo said.
Even the usually somber Innes joked before discussing his opinion.
‘’I spoke with Steven Spielberg this morning, and he agreed to produce the movie,'’ Innes said. Innes explained that although Russell Crowe had agreed to throw out candy in the flick, they were still debating whether Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise would play Innes.
‘’We’re just laughing at ourselves,'’ Cordes said.
Innes ruled that the commissioners and several county departments, including the dog pound and the Department of Solid Waste, were participating in the parades to increase county exposure, and Cordes should be reimbursed.
‘’Although handing out candy may not be as refined as some activities, this office is unable to perceive such a legal distinction between this practice and providing other food items such as donuts, cookies or coffee, or paying for fuel for vehicles getting to and participating in community events,'’ Innes wrote in his opinion.
Compared to paid advertising, the parade was an inexpensive way to promote the county departments, Innes wrote. He noted that the activity was ‘’totally unrelated'’ to any political agenda, as the participants did not wear party attire and were distanced from any affiliated or political organizations.
‘’The expenditure was lawful. Participating in community events is legitimate action for promoting the county,'’ Innes said. ‘’But it must be kept at a minimum.'’
He suggested that given how ‘’tenuous'’ this incident was, spending money on candy and promotions should be limited in the future.
‘’This office would encourage the Board of Commissioners to reconsider the value of this kind of promotion and whether it has accomplished the ultimate goal of projecting a positive image of county government to the public,'’ Innes wrote.
Cordes said the commissioners are still planning to hold an open house at the dog pound on Hadaway Street in Elyria next month to promote the department. The public can talk to commissioners and view the facility and enjoy hot dogs and beverages paid for with county funds, he said.