If it wasn’t such a big news day, this would be a big story.
It seems Paul Clark invoked the James Bond sounding “Item J Resolution” to get his legal bills paid by country taxpayers. Mike Mathews breaks it down:
I’ve been told that Paul Clark’s request to have his lawyer fees repaid by the County will be coming before the Finance Committee during tomorrow’s meeting at 2 pm. Interesting. I don’t see anything in the agenda (as of 10:30 Monday night) that comes anywhere close to the $12,000+ in legal fees Clark is seeking from the County. Using a tactic known as “Item J,” resolutions can be introduced AT THAT committee meeting without appropriate public notice and it’s all legal. All they need is a willing sponsor. That sponsor being Councilman George Smiley.
I’m told that, in general, “Item J” resolutions are only introduced when there’s a specific emergency that would necessitate its use. Why is this resolution being denied a listing on the agenda of tomorrow’s Finance Committee Meeting? We are talking about the reimbursement for Mr. Clark’s legal fees in the amount of $12,000+ in County taxpayer money.
That was yesterday. Just a little while ago, Mike tweeted from the meeting:
Resolution was tabled. That’s one for citizen activism!