This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In "Refusing a perk" (Tribune, Jan. 21), Paul Rolly reported that our newly elected state Auditor John Dougall wants to be known by the self-proclaimed title "Frugal Dougall," and to prove that he is worthy of this parsimonious appellation, His Thriftiness has refused the statutorily provided state car for official and personal use.
Before we applaud this penny-pinching display, we should check to see if he is going to take cash compensation instead? Many companies provide vehicles to employees because it is less expensive than paying a mileage reimbursement or car allowance.
Before crowning our titular tightwad, let's be sure he is giving up both the car and the cash. A certified auditing professional would know this, but maybe a computer executive, such as Dougall, who wants us to believe he is an auditor, may be fooling himself (and us).
Bill Anderson
Salt Lake City