Is it true that the Clerk Treasurer newly hired by the City of White Salmon is the sister of Bob Landgren, a member of the White Salmon City Council?
Janet & Roger Holen
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Nepotism
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7 comments:
if so, this is not acceptable. is there going to be an ethics group or person to oversee these things?
Nepotism is an issue in small rural areas and I think there are solutions. Politicians and persons getting into roles with power need to be transparent and gain the public's trust by being honest. They should also be able to articulate how they would deal with conflict of interest or percieved conflict of interest, such as requesting additional over sight when handling a family member, close friend's or business relations financial matters in thier official role.
Other times I have been concerned about nepotism in our county, included David Sauter (county commissioner) and Brenda Sorrenson (county auditor) being related through marriage. Sauter's response during the election to this concern was "don't worry we work in different departments".. Also, all the connections to development as the commissioners rezone land as fast as they can. Strucks family deals in real estate (whether or not they own it, Heidi sells it and makes a profit), Sauters do construction and Thayer road building... All these pose potential conflict of interest and in order to have the public's confidence, this should be on the table all the time and accountable that they as elected officials ( and thier relations) are not unfairly benefiting.
Anonymous said...
"if so, this is not acceptable. is there going to be an ethics group or person to oversee these things?"
The idea of ethics only come up when certain people in the community want to target specific council members they do not like and thus either fabricate ethics violations or bring up issues that do not apply to city business.
I seriously doubt you will hear a cry from those previously concerned about ethics in this instance.
Personally I am ok with the choice that was made since we are in a small community and these situations will arise from time to time.
Beatledawg
I don't know if we should have a committee, but it should be open to question by anybody. I am upset that the budget got in such a mess with so many people not asking the right questions. Sounds like Poucher is open to getting it all on the table. I'm optimistic. But we'll see what really happens.
Beatledawg, don't you think an ethics committee (if it is fair and credible) could also "clear" folks who are being targeted?
I think it could, but think it should only apply to city matters if implimented. My biggest fear is that it's another committee that needs to be organized and run..... and in a small community like ours, questions could arise concerning city matters all the time since so many people are either related in some way, in the same business or a personal acquaintance to members of the council and employees of the city.
I would prefer to see the political process used to remove someone from office as opposed to publically smearing them. I think an ethics committee and process could be abused by some in this community.
Beatledawg
Unfortuantely, any process can be abused, and the "court of public opinion/gossip" is subject to rumors, scape goating and bullying and cliques. It would be the job of a credible ethics committee to help define conflict of interest and steps that can be taken to mitigate it since as you say, it is natural that folks are inter-connected. Perhaps we need to start trying to figure out some models that regain public crediblity.
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