Use of Stop-DWI money debated

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September 2, 2010

By LOHR McKINSTRY Staff Writer The Press Republican Thu Sep 02, 2010, 10:46 AM EDT

ELIZABETHTOWN — Some Essex County lawmakers say they need to be certain that Stop-DWI Program funds can be used toward the Schroon Lake Labor Day celebration.

When a request for $3,000 for the event came up at a County Board of Supervisors session this week, some supervisors questioned both the timing and the purpose.

"This appears to be the 11th hour," Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) said. "Obviously, this celebration has been planned for some time now."

The event is this weekend and includes a band, block party, fireworks and a picnic.

The board approved the spending, 10 to 2, but not before several minutes of argument and discussion. Supervisors David Blades (R-Lewis) and Daniel Connell (D-Westport) voted no.

BOOTHS

Supervisor Randy Preston (I-Wilmington) said booths with Stop-DWI materials will be set up at the event.

"The purpose of the event is educational, family-oriented. State Police will be present enforcing that no drinking is happening during the event.

"It is a good opportunity for Stop-DWI to educate the public on problems associated with drinking and driving and under-age drinking."

The Schroon event also received Stop-DWI money last year.

EDUCATION ASPECT

Scozzafava said a state Stop-DWI official previously told them such events must have an education component.

"I don't have any problem with funding this event if it meets the criteria for the use of Stop-DWI funds. You have to make absolutely certain that it fills the mission of Stop-DWI."

County Attorney Daniel Manning III said certain criteria must be met.

"Any event or any entity that receives Stop-DWI money has to use that money for the purposes of either education, enforcement or prohibition on DWI.

"If you put a little booth with nobody in it, with flyers, for $3,000 that is not going to cut it. If you have a booth that is manned by people and there are presentations and flyers and people going around soliciting or speaking to people, then you start to justify the $3,000."

BILLS AUDITED

After the meeting, County Stop-DWI Director Michael Mascarenas said his office will make sure the event qualifies for the Stop-DWI funds.

"It has to be allowable. Every bill is audited."

He said some people have made claims that are not allowed, and the program didn't pay them.

"When they return a claim, we decide whether the expenses are allowed. Then it goes to the auditor."

FIREWORKS

Some supervisors had criticized the fireworks display at the event, which was allegedly paid for by Stop-DWI last year, but Mascarenas said fireworks have never been defrayed by Stop-DWI.

He said the total cost of the Schroon event was about $20,000 last year.

"Stop-DWI paid for a couple thousand (dollars). They didn't pay for fireworks."

REACHING OUT

County Manager Daniel Palmer said the reason Stop-DWI goes to events is to reach people.

"If you draw people, then you can present things to them. The reason for the fireworks is to draw people. Once they are at the fireworks, you can then present education. The funding is not going toward the fireworks; the funding is going toward an education booth to be set up at an event that draws people into town."

Scozzafava said he felt the open discussion was good.

"If we all marched like sheep, then we shouldn't be here. There is nothing wrong with questioning things, and there is nothing wrong with discussion, and the bottom line here is if that money is spent inappropriately, the county will have to pay it back."

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com