Sunday, November 09, 2003

By Joe Grata, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Four of seven delegates from Pennsylvania spent at least $13,600 in public funds attending a toll road conference in Paris.

An examination of records by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and KDKA-TV showed that the state also might have dropped as much as $22,500 in public money on promotional items at the Sept. 20-24 meeting of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association in the City of Light.

	The Pennsylvania Turnpike's French Ambassadors Four Pennsylvania Turnpike officials traveled to Paris in late September to attend the annual meeting of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association. The group paid $8,729 as "personal expenses" but still charged at least $13,681 to toll-road users. Mitchell Rubin -- The Philadelphia businessman and Democrat booster chairs the five-member Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. He spent eight days in the City of Light, or three days longer than the Sept. 20-24 IBTTA meeting. Records indicate that he and an unidentified guest went on two optional tours. Total charges reported: $8,931. Amount reimbursed to the state: $5,452. Timothy J. Carson -- The Montgomery County attorney and Republican appointee serves as vice chairman of the Turnpike Commission. He stayed for the four days of the IBTTA meeting, took his wife, did not take any tours and spent the least. Total charges reported: $3,348. Amount reimbursed to the state: $517. Joseph Brimmeier -- The Ross resident was named turnpike executive director in February. He was elected to the IBTTA board of directors at the meeting. Brimmeier was accompanied by his wife, Jeanne. They stayed seven nights at the Le Meridien Montparnasse. Total charges reported: $5,844. Amount reimbursed to the state: $2,105. Kevin Longenbach -- The veteran attorney on the turnpike staff is serving in his highest position yet as associate executive director. Longenbach also spent seven nights in Paris but, like Carson, did not go on any special tours. He reported spending the most on outside meals, $197, including a $77 dinner at Brussels Cafe. Total charges reported: $4,287. Amount reimbursed to the state: $655.

The delegates represented two politically controlled agencies -- the turnpike, which operates more than 500 miles of toll roads, and the Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, which operates toll bridges, a commuter rail line, ferries and Philadelphia piers.

IBTTA Executive Director Patrick Jones said the Pennsylvanians "maintained a strong and positive presence in Paris." The group included state House Majority Leader John M. Perzel, R-Philadelphia; political pal Vito Canuso, who is Philadelphia city GOP chairman; and Robert W. Bogle, president and chief executive officer of the Philadelphia Tribune, serving the African-American community.

Their expenses were paid by the Delaware River Port Authority. Senate Minority Leader Vincent J. Fumo, D-Philadelphia, was registered for the meeting but canceled.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission paid $13,681 to send four delegates: commission Chairman Mitchell Rubin, of Philadelphia, and Vice Chairman Tim Carson, of Montgomery County; Executive Director Joe Brimmeier, of Allegheny County; and Kevin Longenbach, of Harrisburg, Brimmeier's chief assistant.

The $800 registration fee for each delegate covered four days of functions from special reception parties to city tours of well-known sites.

Out-of-town tours for wine-tasting, French art and castles were provided at extra cost. Technical tours of French toll facilities were offered for free, but no Pennsylvania delegate was known to have taken advantage of that offer.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike, the Delaware River Port Authority and the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, which didn't send anyone to Paris, each earmarked $7,500 as equal shares with four other user- and taxpayer-funded transportation agencies from New Jersey and Delaware to establish a $52,500 fund to promote the 2004 IBTTA meeting, which will be in Philadelphia.

They made a 15-minute formal presentation, showing what was described as a "high-energy video with a 'Rocky' [movie] theme." They also handed out souvenirs and raffled items that included Philadelphia Eagles football and Philadelphia Flyers hockey jerseys.

Brimmeier defended the trip, denying that it was a junket.

"It doesn't bother me to talk about it," he said. "I worked the [promotion] booth. I met and networked with people from Texas to Australia. I spent my time working, not on any of those tours."

Although the turnpike has said it might soon raise its tolls to the nation's highest, Brimmeier called money spent on the trip "a good investment to draw people to next year's meeting, where they'll spend $4 million to $5 million" to benefit Philadelphia and the state economy.

Brimmeier said he insisted that the turnpike delegates "go by the book" during their Paris trip. The four provided proof of $8,729 in reimbursements for personal expenses they incurred, mostly for airfare for companions and extra nights.

The Post-Gazette and KDKA-TV requested an accounting of expenses and proof of payments under the state right-to-know law.

Although the documents didn't show everything that might have been charged to turnpike-issued American Express cards on the European excursion, Brimmeier said nobody cheated.

The records showed $22,410 in expenses, of which the four turnpike delegates reimbursed $8,729 to the toll agency, leaving a total cost of $13,681 in public funds.

Expenses were not available for the Delaware River Port Authority, which picked up the tab for three staff members and two commissioners from New Jersey in addition to Perzel, Canuso and Bogle.

Turnpike Commission member James Dodaro, of White Oak, who has attended previous IBTTA annual meetings, called the money well spent.

"The Europeans, believe it or not, are way ahead with their technology, and there's a lot to be learned from them," he said. "I am aware of the public criticism than can arise from a trip like this. I faced it the last time [Madrid, Spain, in 2000]. Despite the criticism, I believe the trips are well worth it."

Brimmeier said the Paris trip was important for three reasons: Because he was named the turnpike's executive director nine months ago, he was new to the job; because it "helped make the impression we are not boycotting France because of the [Iraq] war"; and because he knew that he was to be elected to the IBTTA board of directors.

The IBTTA's next board meeting, the first to which Brimmeier has been invited, will be held Jan. 17-18 in Miami Beach.

Is he going?

"I'm contemplating it, yes," Brimmeier said.

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