Trip costs defy Jones’ message

President Barack Obama could have been speaking directly to Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones when he spoke these words during his inaugural address:

"Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day," Obama said, "because only then can we re store the vital trust between a people and their government."

Those words should be a reminder, not a revelation, to state and local elected officials struggling to make ends meet during this recession. But the expense surrounding Jones' presence at the inauguration was at loggerheads with a message of fiscal prudence.

Yes, Jones paid his own way. But Richmond police spent $11,586 for the six officers and three vehicles that traveled to Washington at various times as part of the mayor's security detail.

In some ways, Jones has gotten off to a fine start as mayor. You've got to applaud his collaborative spirit as he reaches out to the City Council, city school district and Richmond's regional partners, in contrast to his combative predecessor, L. Douglas Wilder. Mr. Congeniality is a refreshing departure from Mayor Sluggo.

But Jones' efforts have the potential to be undercut if he indulges in the sort of excess that typified Wilder's term.

Jones, as pledged, has downsized Wilder's plush security blanket, slashing the executive protection unit from nine members to one supervisor, one detective and up to two additional detectives as needed. That's what makes the eye-popping cost of the Washington trip so disappointing.

Tammy Hawley, the mayor's press secretary, said Jones was at the inaugural events in his official capacity as mayor.

"The mayor's plans to be in Washington for the inaugural activities were in place well before he became mayor," Hawley said. "And once he became mayor, he simply chose not to shift those associated costs to the city."

But if Jones was on official business, why not bill the city? The cost of his protection rendered his pay-my-way gesture pointless -- an austere coda to a tale of wretched excess. It was like washing down a pork-laden pizza, extra cheese, with diet cola or light beer. If the city's on the hook for nearly $12,000 as a result of Jones' visit, he didn't truly pay his way. The taxpayers did.

In any event, why would the mayor of Richmond need protection in Washington for a heavily policed occasion? All eyes were on Obama. Jones, among more than a million other folks, was along for the history-witnessing ride.

Hawley said executive-protection unit assignments are directed by the Richmond Police Department. Once the unit learns the mayor's schedule, it determines the detail that accompanies him.

This is the same cop-out we heard from Wilder -- that then-Police Chief Rodney Monroe set the parameters for his protection. But the chief works at the pleasure of the mayor, a fact that Wilder-hire Bryan T. Norwood may be all too aware of.

The level and expense of the mayor's security is well within Jones' control. He needs to exercise it.

Contact Michael Paul Williams at (804) 649-6815 or .