State Senate Bill 372 is a necessity for Tyrone

The Bill would mandate locally appointed Ethics Boards to monitor every City and County Government and School Board for violations of ethics. Proponents of the Bill say its overdue because citizens with complaints have no way of being recognized without filing a lawsuit. Local Government Officials often ignore complaints and this was always the case with past Tyrone Officials. Opponents of the Bill are of course Government Officials who don’t want to be held accountable. Most Governments have Ethics laws but no vehicle to enforce them. Tyrone previously had a Citizens Complaint Board and lawsuits were minimal, but when Barry Amos became Town Manager, the Board was eliminated. Citizens are now limited to blogging and suing as their only outlet. Tyrone’s Council should take it upon themselves to reenact an Ethics Board. Appointments could be approved by majority Council vote. Better still, make the Board a 3 member elected office. As with Bill 372, the Ethics Board would have subpoena powers to investigate valid complaints and make recommendations to the Council, who would still have the final say so on punishment. Mayor Rehwaldt, please take the lead in proposing an Ethics Board to Council.