Date: Fri 15-Dec-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Tourism-HVCEO-Cascella

Full Text:

Cascella Named To Panel To Review Allegations Against Tourism Treasurer

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

First Selectman Bob Cascella has been named to a three-person committee that

will review the financial practices of the Housatonic Valley Tourism

Commission whose executive director has been accused of mismanagement.

Mr Cascella, Danbury Mayor Gene Eriquez and Bridgewater First Selectman

William Stuart were tapped by the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected

Officials (HVCEO) to look into the charges made by the tourism's board

treasurer, Joseph Ribeiro, that executive director Margaret Gagnon used

district funds for personal use.

HVCEO, which approves the representatives to the tourism board, has asked for

a formal report after the commission's board of directors meets to discuss the

allegations on Friday, December 15.

"We've heard one side of the story and it's not fair to prejudge anyone," Mr

Cascella said. "The expenses have been reviewed each year by the auditors, who

had no problem with them. It may mean simply putting in policies and

procedures and following them."

The tourism district encompasses nine towns in the HVCEO region with the

responsibility for promoting tourism by publishing brochures and guides and

doing other types of advertising. The district receives more than $700,000

annually from the state lodging tax designated specifically to promote

tourism.

"Newtown, just like all the other towns, adopted an ordinance and appointed a

representative to the tourism board," Mr Cascella said. "If, in fact, we find

out that procedures haven't been followed properly, all of the mayors will be

interested in correcting the situation."

John Vouros, a teacher at the middle school, is Newtown's current

representative on the tourism board.

Mr Ribeiro was voted in as the board's treasurer last September. He recently

voiced concern about phone calls charged to the district by Margaret Gagnon

and dinner and luncheon bills submitted without explanation, saying that

proper bookkeeping procedures have not been followed.

Ms Gagnon, who has held the position for 11 years, earns $47,000 a year. She

has denied any improprieties.