11/25/09
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7 comments
Editorial
Gov. Riley loses moral high ground
Gov. Bob Riley is allowing the controversial no-bid contract with Paragon Source to tarnish a record that has been astonishingly free of corruption allegations. But a $6 million no-bid contract for work on the Finance Department’s computer system raised suspicion of Democrats, who challenged the governor and tried to hold up the second phase of the contract, worth $7 million. The controversy deepened when a retired state employee came back to work on contract for the Finance Department and continued to draw retirement. The contract wasn’t with the Finance Department but with Auburn University Montgomery, which suggests the money traveled a circuitous route for a particular reason. Sandra Porter retired from the Finance Department on a $30,516 pension in 1998. Former Finance Director Jim Main brought her back on a $60,000 contract, apparently to work on the computer system. After a year she went to work for Paragon Source but returned to the state payroll at $66,000 and suspended her retirement. Her highest salary as a 24-year state employee before retiring was $34,724. These are issues the governor spent the past seven years railing against while the public applauded, but this sequence of events doesn’t add up to wholesome government.
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I lost respect for him right after he got in office, He lied, said he wouldn"t go up on taxes, right then he tried to go up on our taxes, also taking money from Mississippi to keep gamming out of Ala, BOTH OF THESE ARE WRONG
I, including most other Democrats who have expressed their honest opinion, agree that Bob Riley has been the best, most honest, governor of Alabama in memory. The computor deal may be unwise, we don't know yet, but I would give the governor the benefit of the doubt.
I agree. Bob Riley has been great for Alabama.
I voted for Bob Riley, generally support him, and believe him to be a good man. However, in this Paragon deal, he's clearly thumbed his nose at the Alabama Bid Law (Title 41-16-21 if you care to check) regarding purchase of goods and services. Riley is due the benefit of doubt, but there is little doubt left in this deal from which he can draw such benefit. When he offers only snarky comments at critics in lieu of factual information, he forfeits a great deal of the confidence I held in him.
Riley's a lame duck, he doesn't give a damn.
I did not vote for Riley but I agree with Thomas. Sometimes the low bidder does a trashy job. Why not give Riley credit for knowing what is best.
how can you lose what you never had