MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS

By Sally Campbell

CONCERENED ABOUT THE USE AND MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

SALLY CAMPBELL + Candidate for San Mateo County Harbor District Board of

Trustees + Nov. 2, 2004 General Election

As an elected member of the San Mateo County Harbor District I am extremely concerned about the direction the voting majority of my fellow board members are taking in regard to the use and spending of taxpayer money. For example:

The Harbor Commission recently voted to hire a Human Resources Manager (HRM) at a projected cost of approx. $80,000 per year plus benefits. If the Commission was a large corporation with hundreds or thousands of workers such a position would be warranted but our Harbor District has less than 30 employees.

Another concern is the fact that the District is periodically sued by present and former employees, users, vendors and tenants. Instead of attempting to settle these disputes out of Court at a considerable savings of time, embarrassment and money, the District stubbornly litigates every suit, whether or not the fault lies with the District, which is sometimes the case. It is not unusual to have the legal fees exceed the amount of damages asked for by the plaintiffs.

Yet another example of wasteful spending is the recent Harbor Board authorization to relocate the SMCHD's Administrative offices from Pillar Point Harbor to South San Francisco. The original location was more than adequate but the General Manager argued in favor of the move stating that "more space was needed to effectively conduct District business." While not palatial, the old offices were efficiently laid out and conveniently located and, situated in a building owned by the District and NO rent was paid. It is more likely that this move had little to do with space and was really to get rid of certain "disloyal" members of his staff who had unionized to protect themselves from a hostile work environment + one created and fostered by this CAO.
When the CAO found himself in a position that prohibited his firing Teamster's Union members, he decided to lengthen their commute times in hopes that they would voluntarily resign. Soon after the relocation announcement was made, one career employee did, in fact, resign.
A 5-year lease on the plush new offices will cost county tax payers $300,000, not including in excess of approximately $100,000. to make the move.