A Council Candidate Says the Right Things About Ethics and Transparency
Sat, 2010-08-21 12:46
San Marcos (TX)
Council candidate Toby Hooper, in his first public statement as a candidate, said some of the right things about ethics:
On the role of an ethics commission (he's a member of the city's ethics review commission):
“I would like city leaders and staff to be able to approach the commission about concerns before they become a problem instead of only dealing with the result in a complaint. For example, before a project or initiative is to begin, staff could meet with the commission and the city attorney to make a review for any conflicts of interest or potential ethics violations, this shift could avoid angry citizen meetings and potential litigation.”
On the importance of government transparency:
“When a citizenry believes that they know what is happening in government they begin to trust government, and when they believe they are being heard and realize they have a measure of control they understand that they are the government.”
From an article in yesterday's San Marcos Mercury.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research, City Ethics
rwechsler@cityethics.org
203-230-2548
On the role of an ethics commission (he's a member of the city's ethics review commission):
“I would like city leaders and staff to be able to approach the commission about concerns before they become a problem instead of only dealing with the result in a complaint. For example, before a project or initiative is to begin, staff could meet with the commission and the city attorney to make a review for any conflicts of interest or potential ethics violations, this shift could avoid angry citizen meetings and potential litigation.”
On the importance of government transparency:
“When a citizenry believes that they know what is happening in government they begin to trust government, and when they believe they are being heard and realize they have a measure of control they understand that they are the government.”
From an article in yesterday's San Marcos Mercury.
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research, City Ethics
rwechsler@cityethics.org
203-230-2548
