To Billy, from Paul (with love?)
Republican Guilford County commissioners have chided Democrats Paul Gibson and Bruce Davis for attending a conference in Hawaii that's expected to cost taxpayers more than $5,000. One of the most vocal critics has been Billy Yow, who recently received a postcard greeting from Gibson (pasted below).
"Aloha," the card reads. "Wish you were here - Paul." (Allen Johnson got one, too.)
"I was humored by it," said Yow, who met me at a Hardee's parking lot to turn over the postcard (he picked the rendezvous spot).
He took Gibson's missive as a sign that he was getting through to his Democratic colleague.
"I'm glad to know that I plague his mind," he joked. "I must be having some effect on him."
Update: Gibson, now back in town, says he didn't send the postcard as a joke. He said he sent one to all the commissioners and genuinely wished they'd been there to learn what he learned.
"I didn't do it in a sarcastic and spiteful way," he said. He later added: "I'm just sorry that more of the commissioners didn't avail themselves to this."
Comments (7)
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Did my tax dollars pay for that postage stamp too?
Posted on July 22, 2005 10:40 AM
Z, your tax dollars did pay for the stamp and the post card for that matter, just not how you are thinking.
I believe Mr. Gibson got the money from Mr. Davis as a tip for being his Cabana Boy. Obviously Mr. Davis will be turning this is on his expense report.
Posted on July 22, 2005 11:00 AM
Are expense reports for our elected officials available for public viewing?
I'd pay to see those.
Posted on July 22, 2005 1:40 PM
Z,
No payment necessary. Those reports are public record. They hadn't been turned in as of a few hours ago, but we'll keep checking.
Posted on July 22, 2005 1:47 PM
Thanks Nate! I'll be anxiously awaiting!
Posted on July 22, 2005 1:57 PM
I take Mr. Gibson's comment "He later added: "I'm just sorry that more of the commissioners didn't avail themselves to this."" to mean that ALL of the commissioners were encouraged to attend but only two did?
Posted on July 22, 2005 8:01 PM
Maybe all comm. don"t want a vacation at taxpayers expence.
Posted on July 24, 2005 4:12 PM