Louisville Courier Journal Editorial Continues With Richie Farmer, Making Us Wait A Spell For Another "HIT" On David Williams.
Editorial | Ag commissioner Richie Farmer living high on the hog
The purchase of two big-screen televisions for the state Agriculture Department offices in Frankfort may not warrant tremendous concern, on its own. Americans love their HD sets, and these days the bigger the better.
The trouble is, this is only the latest example of how Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer seems to spend the taxpayers’ money like water. In this case, the analogy is especially appealing, since the justification for purchasing the TVs, which cost $4,000, was water damage from burst pipes in the offices the department formerly occupied in Frankfort. Moving into new offices, the commissioner, who’s running for lieutenant governor on the Republican ticket this fall, had the sets installed in his office and in a conference room across the hall.
Just last month, the Democrats alleged that Mr. Farmer, a former University of Kentucky basketball star, broke the law with the purchase of two mini-refrigerators (one of which he took home for 16 months) and by failing to report his personal miles driven in a state-owned vehicle, which is a new SUV purchased last year, along with 26 other new vehicles for his department.
While other state workers were being furloughed, Mr. Farmer took his pay (but after being criticized said he gave it to charity). During the state boys’ basketball tournament, he charged the state for a costly hotel suite (but later said it was worth it; he was doing Ag Department business).
Observers differ about what kind of job Mr. Farmer has done in Frankfort. But no one can deny that he’s great at taking the taxpayers for a ride.
The purchase of two big-screen televisions for the state Agriculture Department offices in Frankfort may not warrant tremendous concern, on its own. Americans love their HD sets, and these days the bigger the better.
The trouble is, this is only the latest example of how Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer seems to spend the taxpayers’ money like water. In this case, the analogy is especially appealing, since the justification for purchasing the TVs, which cost $4,000, was water damage from burst pipes in the offices the department formerly occupied in Frankfort. Moving into new offices, the commissioner, who’s running for lieutenant governor on the Republican ticket this fall, had the sets installed in his office and in a conference room across the hall.
Just last month, the Democrats alleged that Mr. Farmer, a former University of Kentucky basketball star, broke the law with the purchase of two mini-refrigerators (one of which he took home for 16 months) and by failing to report his personal miles driven in a state-owned vehicle, which is a new SUV purchased last year, along with 26 other new vehicles for his department.
While other state workers were being furloughed, Mr. Farmer took his pay (but after being criticized said he gave it to charity). During the state boys’ basketball tournament, he charged the state for a costly hotel suite (but later said it was worth it; he was doing Ag Department business).
Observers differ about what kind of job Mr. Farmer has done in Frankfort. But no one can deny that he’s great at taking the taxpayers for a ride.
Labels: News reporting
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 10:07 AM
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