Sunday, February 17, 2013

DMR spends & all we get is a lil ole t-shirt

The Sun-Herald uncovered some rather interesting spending at the Department of Marine Resources in today's edition:

"Public records the Sun Herald has reviewed from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources reveal hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on outdoor gear, recreational boats, fishing shirts with embroidered logos and other promotional items, seafood, conferences and event sponsorships.

The agency has also racked up five-figure monthly credit card bills.

The DMR turned over the records only after the Sun Herald filed a lawsuit, with DMR attorneys agreeing just before a Chancery Court hearing in January the newspaper was entitled to them under the state Public Records Act.

The DMR has given the Sun Herald only the computerized portion of the records. The rest are in paper format, boxed up and in the custody of the State Auditor's Office. The auditor's office and FBI are investigating spending at the DMR under former Executive Director Bill Walker, who has been fired.....

In May, the DMR employees charged $55,106 to the Visa card. The Sun Herald was unable to review details for most of the credit-card spending. Receipts and other details are paper records, either associated with projects the Sun Herald has not requested or in the auditor's custody.

Public Relations Director Susan Perkins said the agency has 93 procurement cards that charge expenses to the Visa account, 40 of them assigned to Marine Patrol officers who each have a $600 annual uniform allowance.

Perkins said spending is tightly controlled, with a $500 limit for most employees who use the other 53 cards available for various programs and projects. However, the limit is waived in some cases. The Sun Herald found numerous individual charges of more than $1,000.

The DMR also spends hundreds at a time at seafood shops, submitting receipts kept in the appropriate "project" file. The newspaper was able to view detailed receipts only for the "projects" its records request covered.

For example, on eight occasions in April and May, the agency spent a total of $2,874 at Desporte & Sons Seafood on what the receipts said was "bait used for sampling." The agency collects samples of fish at artificial reefs. DMR has also spent thousands of dollars at Desporte's, Quality Seafood and Crystal Seas Seafood on food for conferences and promotions.

In November 2009, the DMR spent $73,255.69 to overhaul two engines on a fishing boat the DMR leased. Though the DMR continues to lease the 42-foot Californian, ownership was transferred in March 2010 from an Ocean Springs charity to a nonprofit foundation Bill Walker directs.

The expense was only one of many the DMR has borne for the Californian and another boat leased from the foundation, the Topaz. The Sun Herald has documented via DMR records a total of $1.4 million in spending on the boats. The DMR's leases on the boats will expire in June.

In November 2010, Bill Walker signed a purchase order that paid a London company $27,500 to produce and broadcast a short film featuring the DMR for a national science, policy and environment conference in Washington.

The DMR also spent big on shirts. In May 2009, the agency bought 100 embroidered fishing shirts, at a cost of $3,800, "to promote saltwater sport fishing." It was one of many examples of spending on embroidered shirts and other promotional items, including T-shirts, golf towels and key chains
." Rest of the story

But Danny Guice doesn't think anything needs to be changed. Right.

13 comments:

Shadowfax said...

Everybody knows you buy expensive seafood in order to 'test bait'. Classic case of a guy who believes himself to be above review, beyond the need for oversight and unanswerable to the public.

But his neighbors say he 'kept his yard neat and waved frequently'.

Anonymous said...

The taxpayers do not even get one of the $38.00 shirts.Those were more than likley passed out to the friends,family and politicians from across the state who participated in the DMR fishing trips on the boats leased from the former Director William Walker.All at the expense of the taxpayers.This is going to be far reaching and already includes Jackson thru the MsDEQ sending at least $30,000 to William Walkers private foundation,some of which was passed out as campaign contibutions to people from the Govenor on down to county supervisors.With the USDOJ,FBI,OIG and Ms.State Auditors keeping the hotels full down here this one is going to explode soon folks.And we have not even gotten to the big money that changed hands from the DMR,DEQ and certain oil spill cleanup contractors thru no bid contracts worth millions.To think all of that did not require pay to play would be naive

Anonymous said...

KF, what the hell is your last 'dig' at Guice based on? Using the SH article as the basis on the problem - (which any media source is questionable, but since you are assuming it as totally accurate, you must do so with their other articles) - the "next story" in the SH discusses Guice's concerns over spending, missing funds, and other changes:


Interim DMR director looking for $4 million in overspending on projects

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2013/02/16/4473371/interim-dmr-director-looking-for.html#storylink=botnext#storylink=cpy

Coverage of DMR problems interesting, but to take snide strikes at Guice when the next SH article outlines changes he is making is out of line.

Kingfish said...

I am referring to comments made in a past article several weeks ago.

Now that it is hitting the fan, he is changing his tune. Shocker.

Anonymous said...

Danny Guice is a old politician trying to get to the state retirement promised land.He has no qualifications to even work at the MsDMR much less be its Director.He is constantly making contradictory statements that do not even make sense.While he may be a nice guy he is in the wrong place at the wrong time.And do not forget he was placed in his present position by the William Walker the now digraced former director.He will not help resolve the problems because his abilities to comprehend them are very limited.He needs to step out of the way so this mess can be untangled and those found to be involved in the fraud and theft of public money can be prosecuted.He will only delay the inevitable.

Anonymous said...

What's the matter KF? Didn't realize I put anything in my earlier commetns that would be offensive. Only commented on 8:51's comments about Guice not necessarily being Walker's pick but put there to open up a space on the Parole Board for the honorable Steven Pickett.

Kingfish said...

Don't see it. Sometimes they don't appear. I don't known if he was Walker's pick or not. I can see why you think that. Not sure if its true, but I understand where you are coming from.

Anonymous said...

Let me clear this up.William Walker choose and hired Danny Guice as Deputy Director at the MsDMR about 6 weeks prior to being fired.As reported,together they visited Gov.Phil Bryant an advised him of the decision.Danny Guice then resigned from the Ms.Parole Board an took the DMR position.According to employees at the DMR William Walker stopped coming to the DMR office a couple of weeks after Guice started working there.The CMR Board that is supposed to oversee the DMR did not interact in the hiring by Walker.Danny Guice is probably a good honest man.If you attended the CMR meetings and watch him like I have you could only come to one conclusion.He is not the man for the job.His statements to the Sunherald just reinforce this.

Anonymous said...

Damn, now I'm really mad. A few years back I was doing a Katrina recovery project at GCRL and got invited to a GCRL/DMR fish fry. I'm mad because I didn't get my t-shirt. But it is amazing how well "test bait" fries up after you roll it in
Zatarain's Fish Fri mix.

Anonymous said...

Shouldn't all state agencies be under the "audit" magnifying glass? Accountability and transparency across the board; then come up with some common sense solutions to inefficient government spending. (Just a Daydreaming Taxpayer)

Anonymous said...

DMR needs to be moved to the Landmark building. The famous businessman turned academic Bill Brister can churn out a study to show how it makes sense by tomorrow. Moving DMR will save Mississippi millions of dollars. Its a no-brainer.

Anonymous said...

Now that is funny.No seagulls or saltwater up there.The building is not the problem,its the occupants.A group of oil spill people have controlled DMR since the spill.They have allowed these contractors to dictate who gets the money by controlling who gets the no bid contracts.Millions at stake with the new Restore money coming and this same group wants to continue the control for their own financial benifit.All of the taxpayers throughout the state should be outraged.

Anonymous said...

Guice & family are handling a lot of BP claims in downtown Ocean Springs. Walker and his son are a disgrace, to think they almost ran the City of OS is scary. They've avoided the law for long enough in true gulf coast fashion.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.