Troll: Ethics Commission All Wet

City Councilman Bob “Troll” Walsh claims the toothless tiger known as the city’s Ethics Commission is trying to gum up its authority institutionally. In existence for 25 years, the body created to monitor the conduct of public and elected officials has been relatively dormant. Walsh claims the Ethics Commission is trying to water down its authority through a proposed amendment submitted to the City Council’s Ordinance Committee. Walsh issued this news release:

Bridgeport City Councilman Bob Walsh has called on the council Ordinance Committee Chairman to withdraw proposed changes to the Code of Ethics as submitted by the Ethics Commission as being a devious attempt to water down the intent of the legislation by wiping out complete paragraphs that speak to the need of ethical behavior and the responsibilities that city officials have to the public.

Walsh contends that the commission is seeking to remove the heart and soul of the ordinance language under the general heading of redundancy. “I guess some members of the commission feel that the less you remind public officials what is ethically expected from them the better off you are.”

In an e-mail sent to the committee co-chairs Walsh points out specific sections of the proposal that would be wiped out and whose presentation runs contrary to council requirements and charter rules.

Not only does Walsh find it strange that a commission charged with being the watch dog of ethical conduct would recommend such draconian measures but points out other sections have the effect of watering down the enforcement mechanisms.

Walsh noted that rather than informing public officials that they “should avoid any conduct having the appearance of violating these standards” it will become “advisable” to avoid such conduct. “How do you enforce advisable?” Walsh asks rhetorically.

The commission is adding language which states that the commission will determine [behind closed doors] if the allegations in the complaint fall within the jurisdiction of the Ethics Commission prior to conducting a probable cause hearing and that the time to file a complaint against an official will be cut in half from two years to one. “It took the FBI years to build a case against former mayor Joe Ganim but ethics commission feels 13 months is too much,” Walsh said.

Walsh pointed out that under current rules a respondent could request a probable cause hearing be conducted in an open setting but this right is now being stripped away.

Walsh said that it is not like the commission is overburdened with work. He would estimate that they have heard a half a dozen complaints over the past three years. “Rather than publicizing the process and encouraging more participation, the commission appears to be trying to shut it down.”

Walsh pointed out that the real kicker is that the commission is attempted to remove the term limits imposed by ordinance. Currently a member cannot serve more than three consecutive years.

“I cannot help but question if there some form of a ‘quid pro quo’ here. Within a year of finding most council members free and clear of any wrongdoings by accepting free concert tickets in excess of $100 at last year’s Gathering Of The Vibes, the commission is asking that same council to lift their term limits. And all of this done under the watchful eye of the City Attorney’s Office.

“Here is the real kicker. If this is moved out of committee a hearing will be held so that the public can weigh in on these proposed changes. In an effort to push more things into the dark, all of the action of the commission will be subject to public scrutiny. Maybe that is the justice of this action,” Walsh concluded.