Councilman Bredefeld to voter: I don’t have to account for my time
Recently, I attempted to ascertain the approximate cost involved in the passage and installation of the words “In God We Trust” on the wall in the Fresno City Council chambers. After being mostly ignored by Clint Olivier and passed on to Garry Bredefeld I was, once I firmly planted my foot in the electronic media door, able to communicate my questions to Mr. Bredefeld.
His responses were mostly boiler plate, but one stood out. I had asked if he could give me a ballpark estimate of how much time he spent pushing this issue in chambers and in public. His answer: “We spent about two hours of council time on this issue on May 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. I am elected and do not have to account for my time either off or on the premises of City Hall.
“Nor do I have to account for time I spent on radio and TV shows or writing op-eds for The Bee or even thinking about this issue or any other issue I might bring forward … .”
Doesn’t have to account for his time. Any of it. On the taxpayer dime. Want ketchup with that steak?
Joel Dyer, Fresno
This story was originally published May 25, 2017 at 12:03 PM with the headline "Councilman Bredefeld to voter: I don’t have to account for my time."