Taxpayers spent $14,000 for Hawaii trip
Thursday, November 20th, 2008
By Staff
Group from mental health agency traveled to developmental disabilities conference.
The Mecklenburg County Area Mental Health Agency spent more than $14,000 to send seven people to a conference on treating people with developmental disabilities – in Hawaii.
Area Mental Health Director Grayce Crockett defended the trip.
“I don't think the question would be asked if these people had gone to Mississippi or Alabama,” Crockett said. “The site of the conference was really irrelevant.”
The contingent stayed at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki. Expense reports obtained by NewsChannel 36 under an N.C. Public Records Law request show taxpayers paid $189 per person per night.
Airfare cost about $1,000 per person.
Crockett says she remains comfortable with the spending.
Two of the seven people who went to the conference weren't even public employees. One was an outside contractor, a mental health provider.
Another was a client with developmental disabilities who receives services through the county.
Crockett explained the rationale behind sending a client by saying, “We funded a consumer because everything we do needs to be consumer driven.” (more…)
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