Nov. 25, 2002 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull said in a release on Monday that government vehicles have been sighted on the roads after 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends and holidays.
In one of his first edicts since his recent re-election victory, the governor said this must come to a stop. "As part of the austerity plan to decrease government spending during these critical financial times," he said in a memo directed to heads of departments and agencies, "you are directed to discontinue what appears to be the overly generous use of government vehicles" after hours.
The memo was issued on Thursday, and released to the media on Monday. It continued, "Effective Friday at 5 p.m., all government vehicles will be parked … except for department heads, my senior staff, police, and persons performing emergency duties …"
Those found violating the governor's edict are getting off easy this time. In March 1999, Turnbull issued a similar edict. Back then, again to emphasize his commitment to cost cutting, he directed the Police Department to "stop and hold" any government vehicle being used without authorization. He warned then that he would hold the chiefs of police responsible for enforcing the ban on unauthorized vehicular use and said that anyone found using a vehicle outside of working hours without authorization would face disciplinary action.
This time around, the governor is asking that requests for exemption from his new edict be directed to him by Saturday, after which "a review will be made and you will be advised of the final determination."
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