Homeless in Arizona

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith gives us a line of BS on Valley Metro.

  Former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith gives us the usual line of BS on how government corruption and incompetence will NEVER occur under his watch like it did under they last corrupt, incompetence politicians at Valley Metro.

Sadly we hear this in every election when the new guys running for office tell us that after you vote them into office, government will be a wonderful dream world were everything is run perfectly and there we no corruption. And then the cycle of incompetence and corruptions repeats itself after they are elected.

Former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith also forgets to tell us about the millions of dollars in corporate welfare the City of Mesa illegally gave to religious college in Mesa. Corporate welfare that is in violation of both the Arizona Constitution and the 1st Amendment.


Source

My Turn: We will not let a Stephen Banta happen again

Scott Smith, AZ I See It 5:10 p.m. MST May 17, 2016

Interim CEO: Valley Metro had serious gaps in its oversight systems. Those days are over.

Valley Metro is a vital organization whose buses, light-rail trains and other forms of transportation connect thousands of people to work, school and life every day. We are also responsible for building, maintaining and operating a system with nearly $2 billion in assets and annual budgets of nearly $500 million.

To fulfill its mission, Valley Metro must have the trust and confidence of those we serve. There’s no doubt that revelations over the past few months have severely damaged that trust.

We will not let that happen again.

When the Valley Metro joint board of directors asked me to be the interim CEO, they charged me with doing whatever is necessary to fix the system and restore trust. By the time I started in February, the boards had already implemented important steps and had given direction to tighten controls and change the culture.

We cannot sugarcoat the past. The fact is, Valley Metro had serious gaps in its system of internal control, inadequate accounting oversight and a lack of independent review that allowed the former CEO, Stephen Banta, to take advantage of the system and receive improper and questionable payments that made his life more comfortable. Those days are over.

I began my professional career conducting audits as a certified public accountant. I also worked as both a CFO and CEO.

How we're working to fix the problem

Those years of accounting and leadership experience have been instrumental in helping me to work with the Valley Metro Boards and staff to identify and fix Valley Metro’s financial loopholes. Over the past few months, we have instituted a number of reforms to prevent a repeat of the past. These fixes include:

Revising Valley Metro travel policies. All travel must be critical or specific to Valley Metro’s mission. Also, any travel by the Valley Metro CEO is to be reviewed and preapproved by the two Valley Metro board chairs.

Having both the CFO and the general counsel report to the boards.

Requiring CEO travel expenses to be reviewed and approved by Valley Metro boards, subject to proper documentation, including itemized receipts, for all CEO entertainment expenses. No receipts, no reimbursement.

Creating an internal audit department. Starting July 1, internal auditors will be in place and will report directly to Valley Metro’s audit and finance committee.

Cracking down on the use of Valley Metro-issued credit cards. Every Valley Metro credit card has been reviewed. Some cards were canceled, limits were lowered and guidelines were tightened. Closing loopholes, strengthening oversight and adding internal controls at every level. This is the only way to restore faith, trust and confidence in Valley Metro.

We’re putting in place the same type of internal financial controls and procedures every top-flight business in the Valley relies on. These reforms are not built to match my or any person’s style. They will apply to the next CEO, and the CEO after that.

Valley Metro needs your trust

Sound financial controls are crucial for any organization, especially one like Valley Metro that relies on your tax dollars.

I’m not sure why these common-sense financial controls weren’t already in place at Valley Metro. We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it and make sure these mistakes are not repeated.

Only with your trust can we deliver transportation options and choices for all our residents. Only with your trust can we plan for the growth necessary to connect current and future generations to jobs, schools and new opportunities. Only with your trust can the light-rail line continue to spur economic development and redefine urban vibrancy in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and beyond.

As a mayor, I saw how transparency is necessary to earn your support for big ideas and real progress. Today, I know it is key to Valley Metro being able to deliver on its promises. I pledge that we will continue to confront the challenges created by this breach of faith. [Is Mayor Scott Smith on crack. His Mesa government was corrupt to the core!!!!]

We are working to restore integrity at Valley Metro. We will not stop until we succeed.

Scott Smith is interim chief executive officer of Valley Metro. Email him at ssmith@valleymetro.org.

Phoenix City Council Supports crook Stephen Banta

When the Arizona Republic first discovered all suspicious activities, most of the members of the Phoenix City Council offered him a golden parachute, to get out of the way and prevent more dirt from being discovered. I think those Phoenix City Council members are:
Greg Stanton, Mayor
Kate Gallego, Vice Mayor
Thelda Williams
Jim Waring
Bill Gates
Laura Pastor
Daniel Valenzuela
Sal "I love pigs" DiCiccio
Michael "I hate gays" Nowakowski

Other articles on Valley Metro CEO and crook Stephen Banta

Other articles on Valley Metro

 


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