Portage officials scrutinize mayor's trip to conference, inauguration
Joyce Russell
NWI Times
Feb 1, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/portage-officials-scrutinize-mayor-s-trip-to-conference-inauguration/article_f7a2d3e4-ea9b-5227-bd2b-63bcc83bf6a0.html
PORTAGE — Portage officials are scrutinizing a trip Mayor James Snyder took recently to Washington, D.C.
Snyder, along with his wife and four children, traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 16, to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting and the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
In addition to the Snyders, Police Chief Troy Williams and Assistant Chief Ted Uzelac Jr. and Uzelac's son also attended the conference and inauguration.
Clerk-treasurer Chris Stidham, in a letter to City Council President Mark Oprisko, said he has "grave concerns" about the trip.
Stidham accused Snyder of "ordering" Williams and Uzelac to attend the conference to act as Snyder and his family's "security detail."
"Why the mayor, who is not a national figure nor recognizable in a crowd in D.C., thinks he is entitled to taxpayer-funded bodyguards while he travels is beyond comprehension," said Stidham, adding he believes Snyder has a "lack of respect" for taxpayers' money. He is requesting Snyder reimburse the city the cost of the police administrators travel. He is also asking the City Council to tighten up its travel ordinance.
In addition, Stidham said Snyder upgraded his hotel room from a $429-a-night standard room to a $539-a-night suite and has received reimbursement from the Utility Services Board.
In a written answer to Stidham, Snyder denied "ordering" the administrators to attend the conference and inauguration. He said he "granted them permission" based on the content of the conference. He also denied collecting any reimbursement from the Utility Services Board.
Williams said he was told by the mayor that conference organizers were suggesting mayors bring their own security detail.
"On the surface, I didn't see any issues," said Williams, adding Uzelac traveled with the mayor's family, in a separate vehicle, on Monday and he drove to Washington on Tuesday. He said they attended the conference for free because they were working as the mayor's security detail. Williams said he and Uzelac attended several informative workshops ranging from social justice to the COPS grant program and he even spoke at one meeting hosted by Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson.
Williams said they escorted the mayor and his family to both the inauguration on Friday, Jan. 20 and the inaugural ball later that night. During their entry into the gala, Williams said, they were confronted with protesters and he and Uzelac provided protection for the Snyders during the incident.
Williams called it a "working conference" in which he and Uzelac put together a security packet before the trip. He said a number of mayors had security details and others did not.
Snyder, who is awaiting trial on three felony charges in federal court, said he would contact the State Board of Accounts for their opinion on whether he can seek reimbursement for attending the inaugural activities.
City Council President Mark Oprisko said he believes it is "morally and ethically wrong" for Snyder to seek reimbursement for himself and his family to attend the inaugural festivities.
"It is sad he took two of our leaders off the street. That's just not right. If he had safety concerns, he shouldn't have taken his wife, his family, he shouldn't have gone," he said.
Oprisko said he is waiting to see the bills, but does not believe the city should pay for his or his family's attendance at any inaugural activities.
Attempts to reach Snyder on Wednesday for comment were unsuccessful.
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