The Florida Whig Party placed this item online last week. Today we are pleased to announce the resignation of Renee Gilmore effective Sunday. Gilmore did not attend the Board of Directors meeting when the resignation was presented.
Gilmore got in hot water with highly inappropriate and expensive entertainment for staff and guests; similar to what Congressman Clifford Stearns offers political supporters at the Republican Congressional Club in Washington, D.C.
Gilmore faces the risk of needing to repay as much as $81,000 in questionable expenses; however, the rest of the story lies with the Board of Directors. How does a BOD for an agency like Workforce allow the expenditures to go on and on without an audit showing where the money is going? Channel 8 News in Tampa has done a tremendous job exposing the waste, now it's time for phase two.
One of those on the Board of Directors is the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Hillsborough Community College. Craig R. Johnson has an annual salary of almost $120,000 (plus perks and benefits). You have to admit that it is always interesting when one government employee sits on the board of directors of another entity that is funded with tax dollars and where the CEO is paid more than the Chief of Police or Mayor of Tampa. Another person on the BOD is Wayne Tye, an assistant Superintendent at the Hillsborough County School Board, who makes nearly $130,000 (plus perks and benefits). Next there's County Commissioner Mark Sharpe, whose annual salary is almost $92,000 (plus perks and benefits).
Think about the per hour cost to the taxpayers when Gilmore, Johnson, Tye, and Sharpe got together. At nearly $250.00 per hour (plus perks and benefits), we have to ask the question: Are you getting a reasonable return on your tax dollars?
Of Course Not
Under Gilmore's leadership, Workforce personnel were limited to $10 per meal while on business, but for executives, there was no limit; and oh brother did they wine and dine to a level that it might make lavish spending Cliff Stearns actually blush.
A sample of the dinner enjoyed by the many unemployed in Florida?
We think not and find it disgusting that our taxes are being spent for government executives to enjoy the high-life while so many suffer.
If Florida does not get a handle on executive compensation quickly, every Democrat and Republican elected to office will be given the boot. Click HERE for another story of a highly paid individual who is under investigation. If you've had enough, drop the two party registration for the Florida Whig Party.
Renée Gilmore is President and CEO of Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance, a Hillsborough County based organization delivering workforce solutions to Tampa Bay area businesses and job candidates. Ms. Gilmore is paid $170,000 a year and found a way to also spend over $130,000 on food that she billed to the agency! Oh, and about that missing $25,000 or so, will anyone really care about such a small sum? We do.
Dear Auditor General of the State of Florida.
Who's Auditing the Government?
The Government.
THINK ABOUT IT
A raw bar featuring oyster on the half shell, jumbo shrimp, crab. That was just some of the food the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance purchased with $85,000 for its business awards banquets in the past two years. Click HERE.
Julie Sanon, Carol Brinkley, and Tom Stewart
Julie Sanon, Senior Vice President and Innovation Officer, Carol Brinkley, Vice President of WorkForce Services and Consumer Affairs, Tom Stewart, MHA, FACHE, Vice President of Operations are three other employees whose compensation and expense accounts should be looked at as well.
Time for FDLE?
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