Marti Emerald’s experience as an investigative reporter and consumer journalist has taught her that the term “accountant” or “CPA” does not bestow some magical infallibility on someone. She has seen, time and again, skilled numbers crunchers simply come up wrong.
April Boling has what some say is an enviable record as treasurer for a variety of Political Action Committees (PACs) and political campaigns. But she also has been cited for violating campaign finance regulations.
Six years ago two fancy named blue ribbon commissions looked at city finances and pension systems. They included CPA Boling. They filed reports saying the city has big financial problems that need to be addressed. They all then folded their notebooks and spreadsheets and walked off. Not one had the desire or gumption to publicly stand up to the mayor, or city manager or city council say “You can’t ignore these problems.” There has been more talk about those reports in the past few months than when it might have made a difference.
Marti Emerald has always been ready and willing to speak out about problems and seek realistic solutions, not quick fixes catering to any specific group. Her record shows that.
It’s this approach she can bring to the job at City Hall — a Troubleshooter at a troubled City Hall.