Earlier this week, a report issued by Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray had an off-color joke accidentally left in it that has made some city officials very angry. As a result, Mike Shaver, a consultant to Cordray, took responsibility for the mistake in the report and issued this apology:
An Open Letter of Apology,
On Monday Clerk-Treasurer Cordray and I finished editing a letter suggesting to the Carmel City Council that an independent, third-party audit of the CRC’s debt repayment would help provide transparency to Carmel taxpayers. In support of that letter, I compiled a package of reference documents including a flow chart depicting a legal document called the “Revenue Deposit Agreement.” I included the wrong version of the flow chart. The mistake was 100% mine, and I offer this public apology for my error.
In addition, I offer a personal apology to Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray. Diana is working extremely hard to do everything in her power to be certain that Carmel’s Redevelopment Commission debt does not result in a tax increase for Carmel taxpayers. Including the wrong flow chart distracted from a necessary and appropriate public discussion, and I regret that. I deeply respect Diana’s tireless efforts to provide public transparency, and I apologize for the distraction caused by including the wrong version of the flow chart.
I also apologize to City Council President Eric Seidensticker. It probably wouldn’t surprise people to know that sometimes Carmel meetings become contentious and acrimonious. Eric is a very smart man with a delightful sense of humor, and Eric can often disarm the acrimony with a wry statement and a quick smile. In truth, I went to delete the humorous flow chart from my hard drive several times. Each time, I decided not to delete it because it made me smile. Eric, I have seen the value which you bring to the public discussion and I apologize to you, personally, for my error.
The irony of the situation is that Eric’s humor actually shows that he understands the political consequences of a tax increase necessitated by excessive Redevelopment Commission debt. Inserting humor into a public discussion is always a risk, but in this case, a careful reading of the humorous flow chart shows that Eric Seidensticker understands the consequences of failing to assure the taxpayers that this fiscal issue is under transparent control. As a public policy professional, I deeply appreciate that.
In closing, I apologize for including the wrong version of the flow chart in the package of documents that I assembled. It was entirely my mistake. It is unpleasant to own it, but it is necessary to do so.
Sincerely,
Mike Shaver, President
Wabash Scientific, inc.
