Success Stories

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Successes

2010-11-30: Next step for City Ethics policy: the details
By Joe Wilhelm Jr. Staff Writer
Though an issue of much recent discussion and debate, a charter amendment to return the City’s Ethics Code to the City charter quietly received unanimous approval from the City Council Nov. 23.
Read more at jaxdailyrecord.com:
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=532399
2011-06-18: Ethics: This progress was historic
Jacksonville residents have this self-image that we have a progressive government. But consolidation was more than 40 years ago.
In creating a strong culture of ethics in city government, Jacksonville has been left behind - until now.
With the unanimous passage of new ethics legislation Tuesday, Jacksonville's city government has the foundation, for the first time, of an independent ethics office.
It came only with great persistence from the Ethics Commission and its part-time director, Carla Miller. In fact, she put in so many hours into this venture that she used them up; she has been working as a volunteer lately, Many others deserve a bow.
There was an unlikely coalition of community groups that took an active interest: The NAACP, the tea party, the Concerned Taxpayers, the League of Women Voters, Jacksonville Community Council Inc. and the Young Democrats.
Read more at Jacksonville.com:
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2011-06-19/story/ethics-progress-was-historic
2011-06-14: Jacksonville Ethics Commission gains more autonomy
By Steve Patterson
Jacksonville's City Council gave more autonomy to the city's Ethics Commission on Tuesday, but still kept a hand in how the unpaid commissioners gain office.
The council voted to let commission members hire their own director for a new Office of Ethics, Compliance and Oversight, whose employees will act as commission staff.
The decision was a key victory for ethics advocates, who had worked for two years developing a package of reform bills (2011-167, 2011-197 and 2011-232). All were enacted Tuesday, but not without revisions.
Read more at Jacksonville.com:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-06-15/story/jacksonville-ethics-commission-gains-more-autonomy
2009-02-03: Cover Story: folioweekly magazine
By Susan Cooper Eastman
2007-08-28: Mayor John Peyton's announcement of 28 August, 2007"
[...] The establishment of a high-level, in-house ethics officer for the city of Jacksonville. I have asked Carla Miller to take on this important responsibility. She is a former federal prosecutor, former chair of the Jacksonville Ethics Commission and internationally recognized expert on government ethics who has served our city well over the past few years as a volunteer.
She has been an invaluable resource to municipalities throughout the nation and governments throughout the world in this regard. I have asked that she work closely with the Jacksonville Ethics Commission, chaired by Mary Alice Phelan, upon assuming her position. The commission has done important work that should be built upon.
John Peyton, Mayor, City of Jacksonville, FL
2006-07-04: FL Daily Record Article: "Miller’s ethics advice travels well"
2006-06-21: New York Times Article: "At Ethics Camp, Not-So-Tall Tales From the Dark Side"
2006-06-21: Christian Science Monitor Article "Boot camp for city officials teaches 'a culture of ethics'"
2006-05-19: Providence RI-Letter from Providence City Council President
"I am sure you already know what a gem you have in Ms. Miller, but I wanted to share with you our experience, which went above and beyond all expectations."
2006-05-19: Article - Providence Journal, RI; "Creating ethics code takes time, expert says"
2006-05-08: ASPA Seminar-Clearwater FL
"It was great seeing you at the Florida ASPA conference. Thanks so very, very much for participating and enabling the conference to be the success that it was. It is the contributions that professionals like yourself make to advance ethics and professionalism in governance that make me proud to be a member of ASPA--and I hope you feel the same way.
Donald C. Menzel, Ph.D.
President, American Society for Public Administration"
2006-02-01: Letter To Mayor Peyton from COGEL President - Robyn Hittie
"Carla Miller has distinguished herself at COGEL as a tireless advocate of good government, particularly at the municipal level. She is especially known among COGEL members as the moving force behind COGEL’s municipal section. Other municipalities across the United States look to Carla Miller for her expertise, both as an ethics officer and as an excellent resource for municipal ethics programs."
2005-11-15: Indiana University Law & State Government Fellowship Symposium
2005-11-15: Indiana University-Letter from Cynthia A Baker
"Dear Carla, Thank you very much for your presentation for the afternoon panel discussion at the 2005 Program on Law and State Government Fellowship Symposium. Your important and interesting remarks contributed to what was a successful day of learning and discussion about integrity in public service. I think that your experience as well as research really helped the participants of this event to better understand the problems associated with ethics in government. I especially enjoyed your personal experience in ethics prosecutions as well as the “ethics elephant”."
2005-09-29: Email-Charles Zech-IMLA Mid Year Seminar
"Great job!! I got lots of positive feedback from people. I look forward to continuing to work with you."
2005-09-25: IMLA Savannah National
2005-04-12: City of Jacksonville-Ethics Training for Elected Officials
2005-04-11: IMLA Mid Year Seminar-Washington DC
2003-11-06: City of Miami-Dade Ethics Officer Training-Acknowledgements
"The City of Jacksonville is fortunate to have you, a nationally renowned expert in local government ethics programs, as their Ethics Officer. Again, thank you for generously sharing your time and expertise with us."
2003-09-22: NWI Local Government Academy - Letter from Ed Charbonneau
"In Carla, you, and the citizens of Jacksonville have a person with a unique combination of a passion for, knowledge of, and credibitility when speaking on the subject of ethics in local government. Sincerely, Ed Charbonneau
[Then] Executive Director, NW Indiana Local Government Academy,
[Now] Indiana State Senator for District 5"
2003-09-07: Email from Northwest Indiana Times Editor
"I was impressed and inspired by your presentation Friday.It will be our goal to push for and support development of ethics codes throughout the area - and statewide.
You may have heard that seven officials and two private citizens were indicted Friday on public corruption charges. The effort is ongoing but to rid this area of its reputation of corruption, a broad ethics initiative can only help. Thank you.
Bill Nangle, Executive Editor, The TIMES of Northwest Indiana"
2003-09-06: Article-NWI Times Re-Local Government Academy
2003-09-05: IN Quality of Life Council Resolution-Purdue University Calumet
2003-09-05: IN Quality of Life Council Quarterly Meeting-Purdue University Calumet
2003-05-16: City of Jacksonville-Mayor John Delaney: Proclamation
"[...] NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN A. DELANEY, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, do hereby recognize and commend CARLA MILLER for her initiative and expertise in the implementation of the ethics program in City government and extend deep appreciation to her for her outstanding efforts in this regard."
2002-10-07: International Institute for Public Ethics-Workshop Agenda
2000-06-18: Article-Eve Award-Times Union
"The whole idea here is to raise aspirational goals, to aspire to be honest, to do right for the public. Ethics is more than 'avoid a conflict of interest and don't take gifts from lobbyists.'"
Richard Mullaney, General Counsel, City of Jacksonville
2000-04-07: Article-Volunteer Jacksonville Award-Times Union