Supervisor’s $10,000 county flight questioned
Rockholm flew from Utah and voted on highway plan, removing Kranz from Tahoe agency
A Placer County’s supervisor’s $9,887 flight on a chartered plane is being criticized by a taxpayer watchdog group’s president. On vacation in Utah at the time, Supervisor Rocky Rockholm took a county-funded, roundtrip flight between Ogden, Utah and Truckee. The flight allowed him to return to Placer County and attend a supervisor’s meeting July 22 in Kings Beach. Wally Reemelin, president of the League of Placer County Taxpayers, said he learned about the flight from several sources after the meeting. Reemelin said he was subsequently mailed a receipt billed to a staff member’s county credit card. The bill showed Rockholm, who represents Roseville on the board, had flown out of Ogden the morning of the meeting, taking a Stratos Jet Charter Services flight to Truckee Airport. A copy of the receipt shows the plane leaving again from Truckee at 6 p.m. that evening, returning Rockholm to Ogden. The bill was for $9,260, plus $627 in taxes. County elected officials and staff have confirmed that the county paid for the flight. Rockholm said the meeting in Tahoe revolved around the board vote on a plan to reduce traffic to three lanes from four on Highway 28 through Kings Beach. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency board had voted 7-6 in June in favor of the four-lane alternative and Rockholm favored the three-lane plan. In the subsequent vote July 22, supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of approving the three-lane plan, with Supervisor Bruce Kranz, who represents the Tahoe area, the lone vote against. In a subsequent vote, Rockholm joined board chairman Jim Holmes, Supervisor Robert Weygandt and Supervisor Kirk Uhler in removing Kranz as Tahoe Regional Planning Agency representative. Rockholm said he was on a two-week vacation in Utah and, at first, the county CEO’s office considered a teleconference. That would have required him being in a public place and his appearance away from the Tahoe meeting being given public notice. “At the end of the day, the CEO and board chairman felt it was important for me to be there in person,” Rockholm said. “They flew me in from Ogden to Truckee and back. The only thing I was doing was fulfilling my duties as Placer County supervisor.” Reemelin said he believes there was collusion between Rockholm, Weygandt and Holmes to secretly provide the Roseville supervisor the means to attend the meeting, with Kranz and Supervisor Kirk Uhler unaware of the moves. “I don’t fault Tom (CEO Tom Miller) so much,” Reemelin said. “He serves at the pleasure of the board.” Rockholm said he sacrificed part of his vacation to attend the meeting and flew alone both ways, leaving his wife in Utah. Holmes said Reemelin’s allegations regarding collusion between board members – including a charge of the three conspiring in an attempt to get Kranz election challenger Jennifer Montgomery elected so Holmes could take over the eastern Placer County district in 2012 after redistricting – were “wild speculation.” Rockholm had lived in the Tahoe area and was upset with the Regional Planning Agency vote, Holmes said. “It was clear the community wanted three lanes and, not knowing how the others would go, I said to look at our options,” Holmes said. “We’re talking about the future of the community for the next 50 years and Rocky understands the issue.” The suggestion to charter a flight came from the CEO’s office, Holmes said. “I had not qualms about it,” he said. Weygandt said that while he wasn’t involved in the decision-making process, Miller did inform him that Rockholm was making the flight. “I thought it was fine,” he said. “It was an important vote and he felt strongly that he needed to be here. It seemed to be the only intelligent way to have Rocky at the hearing.” Weygandt described Reemelin’s allegation of collusion as “ridiculous” and a conspiracy theory that’s “classic Wally.” The Lincoln-area supervisor added that the chartered flight was expensive but had to be weighed against the cost in staff time and meeting space for another hearing in Tahoe. “It would be very expensive if we did this (the flight) every day but we don’t,” Weygandt said. Kranz said that he knew nothing about the charter and wouldn’t have supported it if he had. “I am surprised,” Kranz said. “I’ve never seen it happen in the past. It’s a lot of money for four hours.” Kranz said he has never heard the flight mentioned at a supervisors meeting. Miller said funding will come from the Board of Supervisors budget. “My understanding of the law is you have to publicly announce when you do these things,” Kranz said. “I’ve always taken public transportation – not private. That’s a huge difference – at 10 percent of the cost.” Miller also said a requirement that out-of-state travel costs be approved by the Board of Supervisors applies to staff but doesn’t apply to trips taken by supervisors like the one Rockholm made. For Reemelin, the circumstances surrounding the Rockholm charter flight were a clear signal the board is making moves under the public’s radar. “It represents small corruption but bigger corruptions are going on that we don’t know about,” he said. “If they’re doing this for one vote, what will they do for something that’s maybe more important than this?” Miller said that the expenditure was determined to be allowable and the decision was made by his office, not the board, based on a desire by Rockholm to be part of the vote. He described the vote as probably the most important the board would make this year, besides the budget. The three-lane project, which includes sidewalk widening, is expected to cost about $46 million. “There was no skullduggery among politicians,” Miller said. The Journal’s Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com.
Keywords
placer county, 9, 887, taxpayers, league, rocky rockholm, flight, charter, jim holmes, robert weygandt, bruce kranz, tom millerstratos, beechcraft
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Why couldn't they do a teleconference?? This is an absurd waste of taxpayers money. The meeting was planned month's ahead of time, Rocky knew that his vacation was going to conflict, he either misses the meeting or they make arrangements for a teleconference. The Holmes conspiracy doesn't matter a bit, not an issue.... spending my tax dollars for this was something that I feel should be investigated by the grand jury. And there are political ads criticizing another politician for getting paid mileage... why is this private flight ok??
The part that is most concerning was the decision to hide the expense.
Lets face it, our tax dollars went to break a 2:2 tie to overturn a prior 3:2 decision.
See realist I was right again.
Is Rockholm just another corrupt Republican the people must endure, or can a supervisor be disciplined or removed by the people for a breach of ethics? Is Bush style self-serving corruption still alive in Placer County even though Doolittle is gone and Kranz hopefully on the way to being gone?
“At the end of the day, the CEO and board chairman felt it was important for me to be there in person,” Rockholm said. “They flew me in from Ogden to Truckee and back. The only thing I was doing was fulfilling my duties as Placer County supervisor.” Rockholm is even trying to shirk personal responsibility for his actions, which is the first lesson kindergarteners are taught, by blaming the rest of the BOS and CEO. Rockholm says "they" flew me as though he is just a victim.
This type of ethical breach/corruption should be dealt with immediately and completely. The Grand Jury should step in here and do a thorough investigation of Rockholm's other charges to the taxpayers.
And the supervisors want a raise? vote no....this is such a waste of money...I guess TRPA doesnt have the deep pockets....and is more accountable..
"Rocky;" Stupid move. Re-imburse the county for the costs associated with this situation. Also, you might as well as have your lap dog Miller chip in too, you can't convince me he was just "faciltating" your return. Every heard of Delta, United, USAir? Sorry, but in that case you would have to travel with us lepers, or taxpayers, either way you define it.
Wally: You have been around long enough to know how the Board and it's Lap dog work. Heck, remember supervisor Fluty was milking the county for everything he could get? I agree with you up to 95% in this issue, except the issue that Tom Miller wan't involved quietly in this ill fated choice. He was in it up to his pre-pubic mustache. What it plainly show's is that Placer County has a weak County Executive (and, what is really new about that?) who really is not interested in the good of the county. Heck, lets buy one of those Staple Office Store's "EASY" buttons, carve a figure out of cardboard, put it the Executive chair. At least we would not have to pay his salary, yet we would get just as intelligent decisions.
To me, "Rocky" and Tom, (sounds like a old Disney cartoon), need to cough-up the bucks to re-imburse county coffers. What do you want to bet that never happens?
Oh, and "auburnite," thanks for your observation. I was leaning toward voting the supervisors a raise. Thanks, to "Rocky," it should not be approved.
Doug_Fir, That would have made a lot of sense and saved a lot of money but the present CEO spares no expense unless it is at the expense of County employees, they'll just have to pay more for their health insurance, no big deal.
Ishmael, you're asking the fox to guard the hen house. Investigations are only made of the rank and file, not the ruling cadre.
Ethics? What County are you guys talking about, certainly not Placer.
Raise? Are you kidding, the additional money would come off the backs of County employees..
Wally...good for you. Even from out of state - you've nailed it.
Think what the County would do with the 50% of the Middle Fork revenues - if they ever arrive. They could buy a plane! I know they’re planning on the money.
I remember a famous meeting in 2006 that John Greene and Dan Dove and I attended in Roseville. It included as many PCWA Board members and County Supervisors as you could legally squeeze into a room without quorums. As County and PCWA employees do not count for the Brown Act - they were ALL there. The room was standing room ONLY.
The purpose was to approve after 2 years work the final Middle Fork JPA Agreement ahead of a full Supervisors meeting about a week later. The other two Supervisors were unaware of what was going on – I broke the news to Kranz.
My memory is of eyes staring at the document and thinking $$$$$$$
It was really quite memorable!
I also think they know that I know that there are ways to capture those revenues ahead of 2013 – especially with the downturn
John sellers
Bluebird. You were right. This is outrageous. Worse, they try to justify it when they get caught!!!!! CEO Tom Miller just got a raise to $111an hour last month and this is the judgment we can expect from him!?!?! He should be let go. He make more the the governor and this is what we can expect? All those that supported this boondoggle should be out of county government That includes Robert Weygant. Disgusting. Although, bluebird, again? Notice Kranz and Uhler were left in the dark. Maybe Miller didn't think they would go along with the "plans" he made. Shows why we need fiscal conservatives and honest men like Uhler and Kranz on the board. At least everyone wasn't involved.
CAN YOU SAY PIG!!!
What a waste, vote NO on the raise!
Doug_Fir and Ishmael: A supervisor can be removed from office by re-call, simply visit the County Elections Office and pick-up the appropriate paperwork, or check the website.
A CEO can be fired immediately.
As for the grand jury.........are you kidding? Judging from the member composition their collective IQ is somewhere around 80, or that of a barrel cactus. I think I just insulted a barrel Cactus, sorry!
This is the exact reason why politicians are not to be trusted!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When was the last time any of us poor crud taxpayers flew on a private jet??!!!!!!!!! These arrogant jerks don't deserve a pay raise for the little that they do!!!!!!!!!!
You know now why you work until July 17th every year to pay for your tax burden...after July 17th each year...that is your money.... before July 17th......its the Supervisors. We need another law or Prop.......just to control those that make the law...for us peasants slaves.
This expenditure is an abuse of discretionary authority on the part of staff with only a few Board members privately concurring. But it is only the tip of the iceberg of profligate and wasteful expenditures by Placer County on the Kings Beach Core Improvement Project. The local grassroots organization (Kings Beach Business and Citizens Alliance) supported by 130 local businesses and 500 individuals has filed a lawsuit in Superior Court over this BOS decision to reduce the lanes from the current four to two through lanes (with single lane roundabouts) right through Kings Beach. Our community was not in favor of this, only a special interest group that colluded with County staff. The only Board member who read the EIS/EIR was Bruce Kranz, and he voted against this reduction because of the increased congestion, traffic cutting through a residential neighborhood, and loss of timely public transit. The truth will prevail.
Dave, the CHP, Placer Sheriff, and Washoe Sheriff all favored the four lane choice as well. Kranz voted to lessen traffic congestion. The round about choice is going to make the congestion a nightmare. If their is a large fire or other catastrophe there, the two lane alternative is going to cause major problems.
I suspect that this type of shenanigan is more common that we know about. The supervisors just got caught on this one. I think anyone with a credit card that is being paid for by the people in Placer County should open their expenses up for public review including expense logs, meals, lodging, the whole kit-and-caboodle. It’s the taxpayer’s money and we have a right to know how it is being spent. Put the information online so everyone can see what is up. As for Tom Miller, this is not the first county that has caught him with his hand in the till.
This is one of many examples why we should not allow revenues from the Middle Fork Project into the general fund of the county. We have a chance to send a message to the county and PCWA on Tuesday, I hope I can win your votes!
Had to laugh..I wanted to break ground on my own property and build another house on it.....the fee for the initial permit to break ground on my own property already owned and taxed ....was $10,000.00! These public servants are flying all over the place...if their charging and treating county home owners like developers from out of town.....
zjohnson: You are spot-on in your observations.
Tom Miller is nothing but a high paid prositute serving at the Board's pleasure. And they seem to be having a good time with him.
As for the credit cards, I guess the taxpayers are going to have to position themself as concerned parents; put a $500.00 expenditure cap on them. And, allow the children to have only one active card.
Dear jsellers
The county already bought a three million dollar helicopter. Your blog is very intersting. I remember meeting you a couple of times on top of Coyote Hill. I think the readers would be very interested to learn more about your ideas.
ever herd of ATT SPEKER PHONE ???
pay it back ROCKY you made lot's with with roseville PD
What is wrong with a sheriff's helicopter? It saves lives, gets deputies to a scene faster, and can put out fires. Don't lump good programs in with their stealing.
At a time when homeowners are struggling to make property tax payments, how many property tax payments did Rockholm just flush down the toilet?
Let's just say for the sake of argument that Rocky had to be at this meeting in person. He could have rented a car, driven to Salt Lake City and flown to Reno. He could have rented another car and driven to Tahoe. The round trip flight would cost maybe $250, and renting the cars maybe another $100. Rockholm could have accomplished being at the meeting for about $400.00, but he chose to charge the taxpayers $10,000.
The other thing is this was a done deal. Rockholm didn't even need to be there.
Dear Realist,
Nothing is wrong with purchasing the helicpoter if it is needed. It is the LIFEGLIGHT helicopter that saves lives, not the sheriff's. I also read a blog that this particular helicopter is not equipped to respond to, or fight fires. Isin't that what the the CDF helicopters are for? You seem to have the inside scoop so educate me. Perhaps I will have to change my mind. It is not just the initial three million dollar purchase, these things are incredibly expenisve to maintain and fly. Who flys the thing?
Are they crosstrained to fight fires and as air medics?
How many lives where lost as a result of Placer County not having a helicopter in the past five years? How many times has the thing been in the air and saved a life since it was purchased?
Because of Tom Miller’s lack of planning to have Rockly Rockholm at this meeting it cost the Placer County taxpayers $10K. Whereas with a little bit of planning (a minimum requirement for a $110 an hour CEO) a “normal” flight, say on Southwest Airlines, would run about $400 (that’s if you wait until the last minute). Add a rental car and the County is out roughly $500. This is a complete and total lack of regard for the state of the County’s budget. Why would Tom Miller go to this extreme to have Rockly Rockholm at this meeting? What is really going on? Tom Miller has no right to spend the taxpayer’s money this way. This was a reckless, irresponsible, extravagant decision. DaveMcClure you are right this is just the tip of the iceberg. Ask any County employee about what they know and the taxpayers would be sick over how much corruption is going on in little ol’ Placer County.
I only hope that the voters in District 5 see that this is the type of county mismanagement that Kranz is fighting against. Remember, 7K from the county employees union to support Jennifer, (Tom Miller suggestion?) and Jennifer is sitting with the people who benefited from this 10K flight. She gets in office, this stuff runs rampant with no one like Kranz who is not sfraid to stand up and say things are stupid, even if he comes across as MEAN. We need strong leaders who are not afraid to stand up to stupidity in local government. And yes, that means not making everyone happy, and not listening to EVERYONE.
The root cause of all this rests with the preson making the decision to fly Rockholm back to Truckee. Now who is responcible for this decision? Clearly, it is Tom Miller the County Executive Officer. Ok, that being said, no one has every accused Miller or Rockholm of having an intellect, but what he and Rockholm have done, to the detriment of Placer County Taxpayers, is blatantly stupid.
Do the math, Tom Miller and his Chief Assistant make more money than the Governor of California, the Gov. doesn't take the money but they sure do. Now add all the benefits and the hourly rate goes up at least 25%. They are padding their retirement very well. Dirty little County, this is just the tip of the iceberg. How about selected vendors writing RFPs for the County and then winning the bid. Hmmm.
Alot of well made points here in the previous comments. What mismanagement... this really stinks.
From experience of both Public and Private meetings with 'our' electeds and staff -- it always strikes me as important to listen carefully to what is said and what is meant...
For the most part, I've found that the opposite of what is "said' is both true and the important message. What's between the lines is what's really meant.
If one reads the quoted statements above in that light, the picture sharpens and raises further questions.
If there was no 'skullduggery among Politicians," Where was it? Certainly not with Mr. Rockholm's internal compass.
What if that 'staff member's card' was actually Mr. Miller's? And then the cost comes out of the Supervisors' Budget?
How does that NOT underscore the collusion charge?
Alleging a 'conspiracy theory' and being 'ridiculous' smells like misdirection to me.
That this is the "only intelligent way" is absurd and is worthy of serious ridicule... And it's more than offputting to question Mr. Reemelin's character...
Then 'wild speculation' around quid pro quos for representation after the redistricting process in 2012 appears to really get at how 'dividing the spoils' will go. Or, at least suggests the current plans...
With behavior like this, it really doesn't matter if one's R, D or I. It speaks to the validity of our dislike for and mistrust of our Government and OUR Representatives and highlights the common disdain for true Public service amongst them. It's the conceit, "we know what's best for you" and you'll take what we give. Right or wrong, like it or not. Besides, we can spend YOUR money while doing it.
Regardless of one's personal opinions and not that they're perfect either -- but for being left in the dark and subsequently, their proper repudiation of this wasteful party -- only Kranz and Uhler have demonstrated their worthiness of our trust...
This is more than a little interesting and delusional, at once... It's sad really, and all too obvious.
Surely there's more to follow....
Bluebird, the sheriff has had an older helicopter for many years. Many lives have been saved. The helicopter has rescued numerous people lost in the mountains during the winter or evacuated them from the river canyons. They do all Search & Rescue in Placer County including Lake Tahoe and around the ski resorts there. They search for criminals all over the county including the cities. They do not do any paramedic transports and so do not duplicate the job of Calstar, but save many lives just like CalStar, just with a different mission. I was told several of the crew members work for local police departments and those cities share the costs by providing personnel. Many of their pilots are unpaid volunteers. The new helicopter will be outfitted to assist fire departments in fighting wild land fires. Anytime you see the helicopter at public events, ask them. They are very helpful and interesting to listen to. They also have the stats to back up what they say.
The way I see it, the main issue is not equipment like this, but the blatant waste of taxpayer money like this air plane flight.
I agree Doug Fir. People may not like Kranz's approach, but you know where he stands (refreshing for a politician) and you don't have to worry about corruption issues like this.
Thank you for your response Realist. I appreciate it. Three million is a big ticket for "fiscal conservatives" to approve. What was wrong with the old one? Searching the cities for criminals is a a reach. You have moved my opinion a bit on the helicopter issue.
JJGreene: Reading your post brings to mind a statement Yogi Berra made: "I really didn't say everything I said."
Loomisresident: Oh come on now, you cannot possibly be referring to the "Megabyte" software disaster the Board bought into? And the subsequent immediate "departure" of the then head of Information Technology for Placer County?
Realist and BLUEBIRD: Pretty slick how you two appended the Miller/Rockholm fiasco into a dicussion about the purchase of a helicopter. Why don't both of you fly back to the central issue, discussion of Rockholm's egregious expenditures on himself, and the consent to pay them by the Board of Supervisor's in-house prostitute, Tom Miller.
Bluebird, thanks for saying so. I probably didn't articulate the "search for criminals" comment well. If the police are in a vehicle chase they can back off and let the helicopter follow from above. It reduces risk to the cops and motorists. Also if the driver runs from the car the helicopter can search more efficiently than cops on foot. The old helicopter is a Vietnam era aircraft. Very old.
Rabidog, I was merely articulating my reasoning on a comment Bluebird made. Sorry if it didn't interest you. I can be just as outraged as you on the whole plane flight boondoggle and still have an opinion on something else. ;-) And I agree that Tom Miller has to go. He has demonstrated poor decision making that does not work in Placer County. Rocky is up for election in 2 years (?) and he'll have to answer to the voters then. Won't be pretty. Weygant too has to answer for his part in all this. As JJGreene said, Kranz and Uhler are the only two who are apparently watching out for tax dollars.
Friends,
Rocky Rockholm should be thanked for his decision to return to the Board of Supervisors Meeting. His vote was crucial to the future of my community. The community overwhelmingly supports the Placer County DPW HYBRID ALTERNATIVE for the 1.1 miles through Kings Beach.
Rocky Rockholm is one of my heroes! He spent many summers in Kings Beach and considers it a second home. He spent hours studying the issues and spent time with local residents to learn more about the project. He listened and learned and he understood that the 10 year process that determined the HYBRID ALTERNATIVE was OPEN, TRANSPARENT, INFORMED, INTERACTIVE and INCLUSIVE.
BRAVO Rocky! Thanks for being so conscientious! It is wonderful to know our Board of Supervisors cares! Well at least 80% of our Board cares.
Bruce Kranz ingnored the wishes of the community and pulled a stunt at the TRPA meeting that wasted 8 hours of his 14 fellow Governing Board members' time, the 25 TRPA Staff members, the 15 Placer County Staff members and the volunteer time of at least 100 local residents who testifed at the Governing Board meeting. Now, that is a waste of taxpayer money if you ask me!
It is no wonder that his fellow Board of Supervisor members asked him to step from his seat representing Placer County. We cannot afford his style of ignoring his constituents.
Thanks Rocky!
Theresa May Duggan
32 Year Tahoe Vista Resident
Rabidog, no, there are more dirty bids, same department.
Bluebird......thanks.
This is an amazing saga but merely part of the big picture. And the number of comments! Only when something like this happens do people wake up.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but not their own facts. And behind all this people have to realize what’s being quietly kept under wraps
- ITS THE WATER AND THE MIDDLE FORK DUMMY!
That’s where the money is - everything else in the County is largely a side show. For those who'd like the facts and see how the dots are connected, including two sworn notarized affidavits signed by me, they can do two things:
1. Go to the Affidavit section on the web site I created at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/benmavy/files
2. E mail me at jasellers@cableone.net and I can e mail the affidavits
Please do not wait until after the election and then say you were not told
John sellers
Typical politician! What a terd!
Shame on the other Supervisors for not having the gumption to call him on this...let's look further...
jasellers
I suspected as much. I knew there must have been an enormous pot of money somewhere. I could smell the greed a mile away.
jsellers
I just read a few of your blogs. I am interested to learn more. I do remember you where a very intelligent man with years of experience in international electricity speculation etc. What the heck is going on? In plain English please! Why havin't any of the newspapers covered this story???
Good question. Main reason is that the combination of water and politics within Placer County so strikes at the heart of everything that the political establishment works very hard to keep it under wraps. And they do an excellent job.
It’s the old tactic of keeping people distracted with something else - but don't go near the water. It’s no coincidence that Supervisors and PCWA Board members swap positions. That lets PCWA fly "under the radar"
Bit like Washington 6 months ago where all parties said – let’s not go near Fannie and Freddie - the markets decided otherwise of course.
As to the newspapers - again this goes so fundamentally to the "Citadel" that you challenge it at your peril. Having experienced ENRON plus as you'll see from my affidavit there's no longer any Bank of Sicily in London - it’s not exactly new to me. But there's no way the AJ is going to go near this.
The other thing is that frankly you have to also know how to "connect the dots". I spent my career doing that.
You're not the first to ask this question. Someone said - "why not 60 minutes?"
My response was - you tell me but it probably will happen. Or even a book or a movie?
But I’ve done my bit slaying dragons in Placer County – and the County is well aware of that!
loomisresident - taxpayers would be interested in what other dirty bids you are referring to. Care to share?
Nickle......e maiI me at
jasellers@cableone.net
I'll be happy to e mail the two affidavits.You can also find all you need to know about PCWA on a web site which is really a library of documents at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/benmavy
It is expected that Rocky would be a "hero" to one of the leaders of the special interest in Kings Beach. He accepted the $10,000 for his single vote, which was the estimated cost of a local vote of about 2000 citizens that we requested a few months ago. That local vote would be irrefutable evidence of the will of the people, but it was vigorously and publicly opposed by lane reduction proponents. The same group and the County staff manufactured a "consensus" and believe that by reiterating this claim people will believe you.
The lane reduction alternative was first officially recommended by staff on May 22, 2008. The County DPW claimed they were open to leaving the four lanes until the release of the Final EIS/EIR. Was that not true Theresa? Had you decided on the lane reduction 10 years ago? Please don't confuse your business and professional motives with what is good for the whole community - remember it is a State Highway- owned by the people of CA.
TeeTeeVee labeled Bruce" action a "stunt" because he read the EIR and voted his conscience. Rocky never read the EIR, he only listened to your group and county staff. But of course the $10,000 expenditure for his vote (and denying the vote of the local people for the same cost) was not a "stunt". Special interests are spin masters.