THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603220190
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
The political skirmish between Councilmen Jim Hawks and Cameron Pitts - both seeking re-election in May - somewhat obscured the question over a proposal by Pitts to establish an ethics committee for the city. It might not be a bad idea and could be an excellent public relations body.
Often, when citizens speak before the council, they ask questions about intentions and sometimes throw out comments suggesting a breach of ethics on the part of city officials. Usually, the speakers are stonewalled by council members, a practice that is fitting if the sessions prior to the council agenda are not going to deteriorate into inappropriate discussion.
However, many citizens are very serious about the questions they are asking and if there were an ethics committee, they could be referred to the next meeting of that group to discuss their issues. The committee often would be able to clear up questions, exonerating city officials.
In addition, if citizens posed questions that brought to light a genuine conflict, the committee could follow through with the city officials. And the committee would deal with questions of human rights and freedom of information.
It's hard to believe that any member of council would oppose an ethics committee.
Such committees exist in Anchorage, Alaska; Bismarck, N.D.; Honolulu; Las Vegas; Houston; Kinston, N.C.; Covington, Ky.; Seattle; and Portsmouth, N.H.
The proposed committee does not seem like a radical idea. Council ought to discuss it seriously the next time it comes up. by CNB