Inflated Bid Should Have Been Checked

* If I were President Clinton, I would give Hillary a handful of Whitewater brochures, stick her on Playboy One and get her to Ventura City Hall as quickly as possible.

Absurd, ridiculous, stupid, humorous, routine or other. What would best describe how six of the seven people elected to oversee our business matters, assisted by a bloated staff, could issue a $175,000 contract for a job which had one other bid for $28,000? Common sense would say someone had better do a little checking, call for another bid or whatever.

Upon discovery, one of our council members promptly and properly apologized to the taxpayers. Another must believe in Santa Claus, as nobody ever reimbursed the Pentagon after selling them $12 hammers for $700. The bigger concern is that only a fool fails to recognize it is rare for the voting public to learn what may not be routine but certainly more common than we ever hear about.

Let’s hope someone smartens up before the plane gets here.

RAY ELLISON

Ventura