Spending $40K on a speaker is one way to fire up taxpayers

Ever wonder what fuels movements like the tea party?

Well, look no further than the front page of Monday's Virginian-Pilot.

There, beside a picture of a smiling Anthony Hargrove, now a defensive lineman of the Seattle Seahawks, is this headline: "He spent a few days speaking to at-risk kids. The cost to taxpayers: $40,000."

In an article reported by The Pilot's Dave Forster, we learn that misguided do-gooders in Portsmouth squandered 40 grand in July to squire Hargrove and his five-person entourage around town for nearly a week.

This, in a city where the median household income is only $42,404. Where the per capita income is a paltry $22,268. And where almost 17 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Hold on. These figures come from the 2010 census. No doubt the stats are even bleaker by now.

Yet the Department of Social Services - run, no doubt, by folks who moan about stingy taxpayers - blithely blew this sum of money in a quixotic attempt to inspire underprivileged youths.

Yes, it's true that children, rich and poor, need role models.

It's debatable whether a guy who overcame daunting obstacles to succeed as a professional athlete - and has barely been out of rehab for three years - is an ideal choice.

But it's never proper for government to spend tax money bringing celebs or sports figures to town.

Not in tough times, not in flush times.

This sort of waste is what you'd expect when we allow college sociology majors access to public money. The oft-repeated refrain "If it saves just one child" can be used to justify almost any extravagance.

Hargrove, who's known for his generosity and pro bono appearances, was the subject of a 2010 NFL documentary "Sinner to Saint: Anthony Hargrove's Super Bowl Journey." It's supposedly a terrific movie, so why didn't someone try to get the league to donate a copy to show over and over to Portsmouth's at-risk children?

Other fuming opinion writers have urged the "NFL star" to return the money. That's ridiculous on two counts.

First, it's a stretch to call Hargrove a star. He's a decent defensive lineman who's played on four NFL teams in roughly seven years. He was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles during training camp and signed with the Seahawks a couple of weeks ago.

Second, why should he return the loot? His management company set an appearance fee and social services agreed to pay it. Beyond that, Hargrove not only fulfilled his end of the bargain, he made several extra appearances that were not part of the deal.

Nope, this astonishing example of poor judgment and reckless disregard for the proper stewardship of tax dollars should have just one result: Those responsible should be taken to task.

It appears that a portion of the money thrown at Hargrove came from federal funds earmarked for foster care training and that some of the expenditure was authorized by state officials.

Contacted Tuesday, a spokesman for the governor said Bob McDonnell was aware of the situation through news reports and hoped the city of Portsmouth would conduct a thorough investigation. He said the governor was "disappointed that a government agency didn't have better judgment."

The spokesman said Virginia officials are looking into the situation and believe none of the wasted money came from state funds.

Frankly, it doesn't matter whether the dough originated in Washington, Richmond or Portsmouth. It all came from taxpayers.

And at this point, you can't blame them for being cranky.

Kerry Dougherty, (757) 446-2306, kerry.dougherty@cox.net