Posted on 07/14/2016 7:53:41 AM PDT by cyclotic
I live in a small city (12,000 or so population) The Mayor has asked me to consider an appointment to the city Ethics Commission.
He says they need people of good character and apparently he thinks I fit the bill.
I've never done or considered anything like that. Outside of "Run, Run fast and far" does anyone have any advice or experience on such a commission?
Be ethical... :)
There was a time when adults did not need educating on right vs wrong. Not that long ago.
Does it pay?
Does the position carry any authority or oversight?
Are you just gonna be a useful idiot to the ‘good ol boys’ by filling the position?
My first question would be does this person know you are a conservative?
I would secondly explore any initiatives, political pushes or otherwise this person has if that is possible. It may be very likely he’s looking for a rubber stamp to keep his butt clean. A clue to what he wants you for may be in the city charter, etc. about the power of this “ethics commission.”
Is it for PR? or does it have any meat behind it?
Your knowledge and gut feeling about the Mayor is your best indicator, IMO. Would you trust this person in a fox hole with you?
In front of or on? :)
As a smart man once told me,
“There are good ethics and bad ethics.
Ethics cannot be taught. You already have one or the other.”
Yes. That’s what he’s looking for. He’s a tea-Party type himself.
I don’t know him well, but personally he seems beyond reproach and wants to do what’s best for the community. When he was sworn in, he refused some of the perks the former mayor had.
Fox Hole-yes.
You might also check into whether you would face any personal liability, if any of the recommendations or actions coming from the commission end up on the plate of DOJ and/or ACLU for any reason. Sad state of affairs, but probably prudent.
Then go for it.
Do it, stand by your beliefs, be above ethical, avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
Stand strong on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Thanks All for your advice. I also spoke with a friend who is mayor of a small city and he gave similar advice.
Need to double check with the BOSS, but I think she’ll give her assent as well.
I haven’t but I would if asked. Most of them are advisory and quite a few I suspect are just window-dressing, but I’d see it as a way to serve and lend a needed perspective. You can always resign.
With whom will you be serving on the commission? Are they likely to be truth seekers rather than ideologues (from either side of the political spectrum)?
Are you likely to be the token conservative? If not it sounds like a good opportunity to serve the public.
My general rule at work when there is a group/team looking for volunteers: Find out who else is in the group. If there any time-wasters or finger-pointers on the team stay far away. You will end up doing all the work and getting the blame for any issues.
Make it clear from the outset that your personal ethics arise from Biblical principles (assuming they do), and that you apply them unapologetically in the public sphere as well.
They do.
Biblical and Constitutional.
"Commissions" tend to operate outside of set laws. Why are they needed if we have laws?
Even if the intention is good at the outset, these can morph into monsters, depending on the makeup of the commissions.
1) Find out what happened to the person whose place you would be taking. Mysterious death, prison, beaten to a pulp by unknown assailants would all be negative indicators.
2) Try to talk with someone who has served or is serving on the Commission about their experience and satisfaction.
3) Find out if the Mayor or any of his/her faction have pending matters, or something likely to be brought up, before the Commission.
4) The Mayor probably just views you as a solid citizen with strong ethics who would help keep government honest.
> Biblical and Constitutional.
Grab a copy of your State Constitution as well.
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