YPSILANTI – Lonnie Scott released a statement today criticizing fellow 54th district State Representative candidate David Rutledge for his role in a controversial, taxpayer-funded $4,000 dinner with the Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees, of which Rutledge is a member.
The dinner, which took place at Detroit’s 24grille restaurant, was part of a weekend-long retreat at which the trustees also voted for a 10% tuition increase. The total bill for the weekend came to over $9,000, of which $4,023.87 went to the dinner. As reported by the Washtenaw Voice, officials estimated that 20-22 people attended the dinner, at a cost of over $180 per guest. According to WCC President Larry Whitworth, the tab also included nearly $600 for alcohol.
“This tuition increase comes at a time when many families in Washtenaw County and the 54th district are struggling. Couple that with the news of this $4,000 dinner, and the whole thing is very hard to stomach,” said Scott. “$180 is an excessive sum for a single meal; it’s more than some families in our district spend on food in an entire month.”
Rutledge, for his part, defended the Trustees’ actions. “The way I look at this, there is a budgeted amount of dollars for board retreat activities, or board-related activities,” Rutledge said in an interview with the Washtenaw Voice. “It’s a budgeted item within our budget.”
Scott disagreed with Rutledge’s sentiment and commended Trustee Mark Freeman for not attending the blatant waste of taxpayer money. “Part of the problem in Lansing right now is that some people believe that if it is budgeted we should spend it all, to me waste is waste. In these tough economic times every dollar counts,” said Scott. “The actions of the trustees, strike me as an example of politicians thinking that they are somehow above making sacrifices. The cost of that dinner alone could have offset the tuition increase for 47 full-time students. I don’t believe this is the type of decision-making we need representing the 54th district in Lansing.”
Scott’s campaign said that this issue shows a stark contrast between Scott and Rutledge.
“I took a leave of absence from my position as legislative director in Rep. Alma Smith’s office so there was no question that the State was not paying me while I campaigned.” Said Scott. “With the struggles the State and our residents face daily, we need experienced, ethical leadership in Lansing and I am the candidate who brings those qualifications.”
Tags: David Rutledge, Lonnie Scott, Washtenaw Community College
