xcel
03-22-2007, 07:38 PM
Heartwell said he asked for a fuel-efficient vehicle that was assembled in the U.S. (http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-35/117448830428730.xml&coll=6)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_Ford_Escape_Hybrid.jpgJim Harger - Grand Rapids Press - Mar. 21, 2007
The choice of vehicle is excellent but asking the tax payers for the giveaway in an election year might be a problem?
GRAND RAPIDS -- Mayor George Heartwell wants to take advantage of a perk he has not used during his first three years in office.
He is asking the city to buy a Ford Escape hybrid for his personal use.
Heartwell said he asked the city to buy the compact SUV after his 2002 Taurus was totaled in an accident last month.
"I didn't ask for the provision of a vehicle (during my first three years) because I had one that was just fine and I was quite content with it," he said.
Heartwell shrugged off suggestions he was taking a political risk by ordering a new car for himself in an election year.
"I don't know," he said. "It's a benefit afforded the mayor and has been for over 25 years."
Heartwell said he will be out of town and unable to defend his request at the City Commission meeting Tuesday.
James Rinck, one of three candidates running against Heartwell, alerted reporters to the purchase order.
He said he learned of it from an "outraged" citizen, but won't make the purchase a campaign issue.
"Is it appropriate? That's for the voters to decide," Rinck said, adding he would not accept the use of a car if he wins the election.
Second Ward Commissioner Rick Tormala, who also may run for mayor, said he will vote against the purchase when the commission takes it up next week.
"It really sends a bad message when the city is in such a severe financial state," Tormala said. "Leadership demands sacrifice and the mayor should not be availing himself of a perk just because he can."
Rinck and Tormala compared the car to Heartwell's recent submission of a $500 bill for a dinner he hosted for a group of city officials and executives of a software company that's opening an office in the city.
"We are never going to get a handle on our budget problems unless we focus on our needs, not our wants," Tormala said.
A car has been available to the mayor since 1975. The Local Officers Compensation Commission created the perk, suggesting the car be "in the class of a Buick Electra or Oldsmobile 98."
When Heartwell took office, he said he did not want to take over the 2001 Buick Rendezvous the city bought for former Mayor John Logie. The city auctioned it off for $15,400 after Logie left office.
Before the accident, Heartwell said he took advantage of the mayoral perk by buying gasoline and oil through the city.
Since his Feb. 14 accident, Heartwell said he has been driving a city-owned Ford Crown Victoria retired by the police department. Heartwell's personal car was totaled in the crash on Michigan Street NE when another car turned in front of him.
Heartwell said he asked for a fuel-efficient vehicle that was assembled in the U.S.
The 2008 Escape hybrid is assembled in Kansas City, Mo. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $25,740. The EPA fuel mileage rating is 30 mpg on the highway and 34 mpg in city driving.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2008_Ford_Escape_Hybrid.jpgJim Harger - Grand Rapids Press - Mar. 21, 2007
The choice of vehicle is excellent but asking the tax payers for the giveaway in an election year might be a problem?
GRAND RAPIDS -- Mayor George Heartwell wants to take advantage of a perk he has not used during his first three years in office.
He is asking the city to buy a Ford Escape hybrid for his personal use.
Heartwell said he asked the city to buy the compact SUV after his 2002 Taurus was totaled in an accident last month.
"I didn't ask for the provision of a vehicle (during my first three years) because I had one that was just fine and I was quite content with it," he said.
Heartwell shrugged off suggestions he was taking a political risk by ordering a new car for himself in an election year.
"I don't know," he said. "It's a benefit afforded the mayor and has been for over 25 years."
Heartwell said he will be out of town and unable to defend his request at the City Commission meeting Tuesday.
James Rinck, one of three candidates running against Heartwell, alerted reporters to the purchase order.
He said he learned of it from an "outraged" citizen, but won't make the purchase a campaign issue.
"Is it appropriate? That's for the voters to decide," Rinck said, adding he would not accept the use of a car if he wins the election.
Second Ward Commissioner Rick Tormala, who also may run for mayor, said he will vote against the purchase when the commission takes it up next week.
"It really sends a bad message when the city is in such a severe financial state," Tormala said. "Leadership demands sacrifice and the mayor should not be availing himself of a perk just because he can."
Rinck and Tormala compared the car to Heartwell's recent submission of a $500 bill for a dinner he hosted for a group of city officials and executives of a software company that's opening an office in the city.
"We are never going to get a handle on our budget problems unless we focus on our needs, not our wants," Tormala said.
A car has been available to the mayor since 1975. The Local Officers Compensation Commission created the perk, suggesting the car be "in the class of a Buick Electra or Oldsmobile 98."
When Heartwell took office, he said he did not want to take over the 2001 Buick Rendezvous the city bought for former Mayor John Logie. The city auctioned it off for $15,400 after Logie left office.
Before the accident, Heartwell said he took advantage of the mayoral perk by buying gasoline and oil through the city.
Since his Feb. 14 accident, Heartwell said he has been driving a city-owned Ford Crown Victoria retired by the police department. Heartwell's personal car was totaled in the crash on Michigan Street NE when another car turned in front of him.
Heartwell said he asked for a fuel-efficient vehicle that was assembled in the U.S.
The 2008 Escape hybrid is assembled in Kansas City, Mo. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $25,740. The EPA fuel mileage rating is 30 mpg on the highway and 34 mpg in city driving.