11-04-08, Commentary by Hal Weber Regarding the Open (???) Glendale Audit Committee Meetings

Nick Friesen, a member of the Glendale Audit Committee, in a Glendale News-Press article “Some kudos to those who pay attention” said that, “Herbert Molano is to be commended for his abiding interest in activities that impact the welfare and well-being of Glendale residents (“Glendale needs fiscal transparency),” Thursday)”.

How true! And in this case Herbert Molano revealed how Glendale Management has managed for all these years to keep the activities of the Audit Committee out of public view. When it was decided years ago to televise all of Glendale’s Board & Commission meetings, the Audit Committee was very conveniently excluded! After all, it is a Committee, not a Commission, and only meets once every three months at 8:00AM on a Monday morning. Who will notice? And until now, nobody did!

Audit Committee member Friesen went on to say, “Audit committee meetings are announced three days in advance, as required by law (but no more than that), and the public is welcome. As the audit committee is not a “commission,” its meetings are not televised. Minutes are taken and comments are taped as a matter of record. When the internal auditor’s office was first established, about 10 years ago, many errors and omissions were found. There were many significant cost savings as a result of the office’s efforts. The good news is that few errors and omissions are now being uncovered due to the various city units doing a better job and preparing better documentation to substantiate their work.”

Where can the public find the minutes and listen to the taped records of the Audit Committee meetings? Unsurprisingly you will NOT find them on the Glendale web site. Perhaps during the upcoming City Council election this issue will get the attention of one or more of the candidates.

Hal Weber, Glendale

halweber@earthlink.net