TKC BREAKING AND EXCLUSIVE NEWS!!! TIPSTER CONTENDS CITY HALL POWER BROKERS SHOULD HAVE PAID THEIR OWN WAY FOR PRICEY TRUMAN LUNCH!!!
TKC NOTE: Check this powerful and well-documented testimony from a TKC TIPSTER on the topic of a recent politico power lunch allegedly paid for with City Hall funds. Check it:
TKC TIPSTER FACT CHECKS CITY HALL DONATION TO TRUMAN FOUNDATION
Are you and your readers aware that City Manager Troy Schulte spent $2000 of public money for lunch at Kansas City Marriott Downtown Imperial Ballroom - Muehlebach Tower on May 8, 2013? Schulte took it upon himself to buy two tables at the Harry S Truman Good Neighbor Awards Luncheon, where a posse of city officials enjoyed themselves in the presence of former-President Bill Clinton.
Do not get me wrong, I do not really care if they are enamored with "Bubba," What bothers me is that Troy Schulte spent $2000 of public money for his private enjoyment.
Furthermore, Mayor Sylvester "Sly" James was one of Schulte's luncheon guests, who just happen to be a multimillionaire.
If Sly James thought it was so important for him to get a new picture with Bill Clinton, then he could have easily paid for those two tables out of his personal funds. After all, the luncheon was not public business. It is fair to speculate that Mayor James' extensive fortune earned more than $2000 in simple interest during the time that Sly sat there dribbling salad dressing on his shirt.
However, you might be tempted to say: "Calm, down the money went to a good cause." Did it?
Do not be confused. The luncheon has nothing to do with the Truman Presidential Library and Museum or any other public institution or the Truman extended family. The fundraising luncheon uses the Truman name but benefits a "private foundation."
The most recent Internal Revenue Service Form 990 filed by The Harry S Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation (EIN 43-1113552), drips with what Dr. Hunter S. Thompson would have described as "a lack of commitment and too much self-indulgence." In other words, this foundation seems to be an excuse for a bunch of local rich people to feel important by hosting a party tagged with the dead president's name once year. Even after some vague nonprofit accounting tricks, the IRS filing documents that 80 cents of every dollar collected by the foundation between 2006 and 2011 went to administrative and fundraising expenses. In addition, rather than increasing the distribution of foundation funds through increasing the face-value of the scholarships, the management socked away a reserve fund ($46,847) of more than 50 percent of the year's total receipts ($78.025). The foundation spends two and a half times what it distributes through scholarships on staff salaries. In addition, the chief of staff's husband siphons-off $1000 for accounting services. In addition, a $5,000 "Occupancy" which is never explained in the attachments to the financial report.
Yes, the "foundation's" Web site promises: "To honor President Truman and perpetuate his support of the international student exchange movement, the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation sponsors scholarships to underwrite the exchange of students between the United States and other countries for educational purposes." In short, the foundation distributes $10,000 per year in the form of 4 scholarships.
However, only $10,000 of the nearly $80,000 went to pay for scholarships. In that year, the financial report states that the fundraising luncheon attracted 500 attendees, but advance estimates for this year' luncheon was 1000 attendees. Where will the money go?
One thing is for sure: Troy Schulte, Mayor Sly James and the other luncheon-goers at the tables paid for by city money should reimburse the city for the tax money that paid for their admission to a private event.
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City always does this, don't forget that Council attended too.
ReplyDeleteYour Choice...."invisible government" or "unholy alliance"?
ReplyDeleteOther?
This is the least offensive thing they've done all year. I expect City officials to go to something like this. I DON'T expect them to cheat the system for getting their car out of the tow lot.
ReplyDeleteThis might partially explain why leaking hydrants are repaired by putting a plastic traffic cone over the top of it.
ReplyDeleteThose fucking bastards! Sly you lied about being for reform!
ReplyDeleteDid Sly and Cindy order any Scotch with lunch?
ReplyDeleteNiggers and politicians will always fuck you until your ass bleeds.
ReplyDeleteSounds like another Capital Grille scandal
ReplyDeleteYou mean they really did just swipe our credit card for a private event? Did any other government officials do that?
ReplyDeleteYou know it would be nice if the regular news media reported on things like this. I have gone to that event in past years because I thought it helped the Truman historic sites. An expense ratio of 80/20 verges on fraud. Why aren't the AGs investigating this?
ReplyDeleteThe fact that City officials used public money for this should be illegal if it is not but that part of it does not surprise me.
We have a dirtbag City Hall.
ReplyDeleteWatch this space. all council members will feign ignorance of the hard fact that city tax dollars were used. then they will pile up on Troy Schulte.....
ReplyDeleteI do not believe any of this until a real journalist reports it. I have always known this group to be associated with the Truman Library and the National Archives.
ReplyDeleteI have complete faith in Mr. Schulte who is a career public servant.
Once again, Tony is just being fed bad information or making it up himself. Where do these budget "figures" come from? Tony made them up.
There is no way in the world that City officials would use the City Budget to buy tables at honorary lunches. No way.
If someone like Mahoney reports on it that is one thing, but just made up tipsters can never be trusted.
Tuluride he would have to have a gun put to his head before he did anything like that. The Council knows it.
ReplyDelete5/9/13, 5:19 PM
ReplyDeleteI bet JaxCo had a table hosted by Skippy Sanders and the chumps of that county paid for it.
There is a "let them eat cake" culture at KC City Hall. If will take take someone with some brass clankers to change that environment.
ReplyDeleteOH, a FYI, to the racists.......you make those of us who have a compaible opinion irked when you interject racism as part of your point of view.
It's stupid and lazy to use broad labels on circumstance that call for thoughtful assessment.
Now, go back to the mobile home in the County and chat up the 2nd Amendment. OFF with you.
Who was at the Lunch, who can remember who was seated at the City tables?
ReplyDeleteNo one.
Because this is all made up.
I do not remember seeing any tables reserved for Jackson County. I do remember more than on table reserved for Kansas City, Missouri.
ReplyDeleteI have complete faith in Mr. Schulte who is a career public servant.
ReplyDeleteROFLMAO good one! That gets the TKC joke comment of the day award!
City councilman Scott Wagner's facebook shows he was at the event. He took a photo of the stage. Did he pay the $300 ticket. Doubful.
ReplyDeletePat
ReplyDeleteHere's a fun fact TKC, City Hall does this ALL OF THE TIME.
ReplyDeleteThe city manager's budget has so much discretionary spending, it's ridiculous. They buy tables and tickets and provide support to so many insane events that they are like KCMO's 2nd biggest provider of "non-profit" welfare.
Shame on them. Shame on them all. They are the real grifters in Kansas City.
Bid deal KCPD does ir all the time..........All of this isn't sitting well with Police Board President Pat McInerney, who sent Corwin an e-mail Monday demanding that the commanders repay the money they spent on the pricey meals as well as for any alcohol charged, which came to $3,201.76.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pitch.com/FastPitch/archives/2011/02/10/kansas-city-police-commanders-lobbyist-charge-taxpayers-for-pricey-meal-and-booze-at-capital-grille
whoever coined the term "grifters" to apply to these people has all the right ideas.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a sad situation from one city hall branch to the next. They are all on the take.
It would be nice if we had something that was once called a "newspaper" or even a television station that hired journalists based on reporting rather than "demographics." In that kind of fantasy world, the City Manager's money-laundering and a non-profit's fake mission would be held up for public accountability.
ReplyDeleteCompared to the way the NonProfit describes its activities on its web page, it sure does a lot less when its officers have to sign an IRS form under penalty of perjury:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/431/113/2012-431113552-08bc920f-F.pdf
Very high administrative expenses in return for very little contribution to the public good.
Two and a half times the amount paid in scholarships in staff compensation.
5/9/13, 6:20 PM
ReplyDeleteScott was at one of the publicly financed tables, so Scott Wagner owes us money.
5/9/13, 6:00 PM
ReplyDeleteHave you turned in your computer and quit yet Mr. or Ms "Its all made up?"
5/9/13, 5:10 PM
ReplyDeleteThe hotel does have a full license so they might have ordered scotch.
It is our money you sons of bitches, pay it back!
ReplyDeleteThe police department hands out big money for pricey tables at similar events all year long and nobody ever questions it.
ReplyDeleteRope.
ReplyDeleteTree.
Calm, down the money went to a good cause.
ReplyDelete5/10/13, 1:02 AM
ReplyDeleteNot according to their IRS filing.
Could someone please pass the JELLY?
ReplyDelete