Wednesday, May 1, 2002
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Wednesday, May 1, 2002 |
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Ethics may depend on whose ox gets gored Candidate Brown touted all the classes about government he had taken. As mayor he seems to have forgotten anything he may have learned. Mayor Brown asked the city manager on April 19 for an opinion about the ethics of Councilwoman Annie McMenamin and her involvement with the air show. Had Mr. Brown read the city ordinance pertaining to the city's code of ethics he would know a request for an opinion should go to the city attorney. But maybe he did read it and knew that any opinion rendered by the city attorney becomes binding on the city until amended or revoked. Annie would gladly tell Mr. Brown about her past involvement with the air show and the public disclosures she's made had he asked her. The timing of Mr. Brown's request is interesting because at the April 18 city council meeting Annie tried to ask the city attorney for an advisory opinion in accordance with the city's code of ethics, but was interrupted by Mr. Brown who promptly changed the subject. He wants the Board of Ethics to become an ombudsman and review the code of ethics to define what would or would not be a violation. Annie's concern was an e-mail message Mr. Brown sent to the city's department heads on April 2 that read, "The new manager of Jos. A. Banks men's clothing at The Avenues has informed me that he is willing to enlist the city as a corporate customer. This would mean that city officials and staff could receive a discount on clothing for themselves or a spouse." The message itself is innocuous. Even Councilman Murray Weed, whom continually reminds us he is a lawyer and a city attorney, didn't see an ethical issue and came to Mr. Brown's defense at the council meeting. The use of the phrase, "he is willing to enlist," is interesting because it implies the discount was solicited and not volunteered. The message becomes intriguing with some added facts. The manager worked on candidate Brown's campaign for mayor. And Mayor Brown signed a letter of recommendation for employment on city letterhead for the manager who had dictated the letter to the mayor's personal assistant. Was it a shortcut or arrogance for Mr. Brown to have his assistant take dictation from a non-city employee? Either way it seems inappropriate. John Dufresne Peachtree City
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