Georgia Ports Authority staff at private clubs

ATLANTA - The state spends nearly $60,000 a year for membership dues at 38 private clubs for staffers at the Georgia Ports Authority. <br> <br> That&#39;s according to a story in Monday&#39;s editions of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. <br> <br> And Ports Authority Executive Director Doug Marchand topped all state officials last year with a nearly $93,000 tab, often staying in luxury hotel rooms around the world. <br> <br> Supporters say the private clubs and travel are justified because executives with shipping companies expect to be treated well before agreeing to move cargo through Georgia ports. <br> <br> But the spending has drawn the attention of state legislators, who consider the club memberships inappropriate. <br> <br> Executives and sales staff at the Ports Authority charge the state for memberships at country clubs in Savannah, St. Simons, Atlanta and New Jersey. <br> <br> The Georgia Ports Authority, created in 1945, operates ocean and inland river ports within the state, including the ports of Savannah and Brunswick, and the Bainbridge and Columbus barge terminals. <br> <br> Recently, Marchand and his director of international trade dropped two golf club memberships at the Hampton Club on St. Simons and the Wilmington Island Club in Savannah. <br> <br> Last month, Keith Mason, chairman of the Georgia Ports Authority, wrote to Gov. Roy Barnes, to say that his board was reviewing the club memberships, travel and entertainment expense policies.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/4/196033