Sludge Watch ==> California Kern County- Taft mayor on the Synagro donation of $25K

[Maureen Reilly]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19195862/

Taft mayor discusses accusations surrounding Synagro's donation

KGET-TV
June 12, 2007
The mayor of Taft defended himself against allegations he improperly 
accepted a donation from a sludge processor on behalf of the city. Last 
week, the Taft City Council voted to return a $25,000 donation from Synagro 
that council member Cliff Thompson said was deposited into the city's 
account by Taft Mayor Paul Linder.Posted 6/12/07

BAKERSFIELD - The mayor of Taft defended himself against allegations he 
improperly accepted a donation from a sludge processor on behalf of the 
city.

Last week, the Taft City Council voted to return a $25,000 donation from 
Synagro that council member Cliff Thompson said was deposited into the 
city's account by Taft Mayor Paul Linder.

Thompson said he had mixed feelings about the sludge processor, and the fact 
the donation wasn't done by the books.

Linder wasn't present at last week's meeting, but responded Monday night by 
saying, "There is no policy in the City of Taft for accepting donations. We 
are working on that now, is my understanding, and I support that, but I 
don't think that we are setting a very good light to corporate America, who 
may want to come in and do things in the City of Taft, that we're going to 
be selective upon who we accept corporate donations from, and who we don't."

"It has to be approved by the board," said Thompson last week. "It has to be 
in a public meeting in an agendized forum, and the council has to accept it, 
or not accept it. Any donation should be done that way, and up until now, 
the City of Taft hasn't had a problem."

Linder said he believes the reasons for returning the check to Synagro were 
personal and political.

He added the finance department deposited the check and the city manager 
knew about it.

Linder also said he subsequently notified all council members.