Or so Vince Illuzzi pictures himself, upon the throne of the Auditor General: A personage of noble rank and file, a dignified and potent officer, whose functions are particularly vital.
Yesterday, I wrote about an Illuzzi comment that seemed to take a rather expansive view of the Auditor’s office: “It really is about looking at programs to see if they are performing as envisioned by the general assembly and as expected by the public…”
That, it seemed to me, outlined a policy-oversight dimension to the job that’s, ahem, missing from the actual job description.
Well, more evidence of the same from the Vermont Press Bureau (behind the Herald/TA paywall, as far as I can tell):
During a news conference at the Secretary of State’s office, the 58-year-old Illuzzi said he would bring to the auditor’s office a legislative track record of challenging establishment policy positions pushed by governors, powerful lawmakers and industry leaders. The most recent example, Illuzzi said, was his fight against aspects of the proposed merger of the state’s two largest electric utilities, Central Vermont Public Service and Green Mountain Power.
“You need an independent voice who is willing to respectfully and constructively stand up to the establishment and question certain policies and programs, and I think I’ve done that,” said Illuzzi.
He seems to believe that he’d be judge, jury, and Executioner, dispensing his wisdom on questions of finance, policy, and politics alike. Moreover, he seems to see himself as being uniquely qualified to take on this responsibility.
Quite an ego there.
We’ll see how the race plays out — Illuzzi promises specific proposals when he formally launches his campaign — but the way it looks right now, if you want an Auditor, you’d best vote for Doug Hoffer. If you want a loose cannon, then by all means vote for Vince Illuzzi.
Defer, defer,
to the Lord High Executioner!
Bow down, bow down,
to the Lord High Executioner!
To be fair, I think you should acknowledge that certain prior Vermont State Auditors also had an expansive view of the Office of Auditor of Accounts.
For instance, here is what the Detroit News said about Ed Flanagan back in September 20, 1999:
Then, there was Elizabeth “Chainsaw Liz” Ready, who adopted a pugnacious approach to the job as well. “Chainsaw’s” chainsaw later kicked back and wounded her political legs when it was discovered that she “fudged” aspects of her resume.
For years, the Auditor of Accounts was a sleepy corner of Vermont state government. Quick: name the longtime Auditor who held that office for 1970 to 1993. Well, it was none other that Alexander “Tino” Acebo, hardly a household name here in Vermont.
I think that Doug Hoffer and Vince Illuzzi will make for an interesting race, and either one would be an improvement on the current incumbent. I also don’t think that Doug is necessarily a “strict constructionist” to the Auditor’s office in the Tino Acebo or Randy Brock mold. Personally, I would like to see a State Auditor who adopts a posture similar to what Mr. Dooley once recommended to journalists: Namely, “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”