Government ethics at all levels is a subject in the
news right now. It should always be news. Among Merriam-Webster’s several
definitions of “ethics” is this sentence: the principles of conduct governing an individual or a
group <professional ethics>” Most of us would agree it is the ability to recognize right from
wrong, good from bad, honesty from dishonesty, and then take the high road on
every decision.
At the
Congressional level, House Speaker Ryan allegedly had to make clear to
the House Ethics Committee Chairman that the panel must not interfere with the
Office of Congressional Ethics. They should only ensure that the office follows
rules and does not hamper investigations. Ryan said, "The office will
continue to be governed by a bipartisan independent outside board with ultimate
decision-making authority."
Locally, there is no bipartisanship on the newly
sworn in Cheboygan County Board of Commissioners. They do not reflect our
community. The
Commissioners who allegedly represent their constituents must remember that
Cheboygan County’s homogenous appearing populace embraces more than two
partisan ideologies. I have often stated the County sets a higher standard in
local government acting openly and showing respect to their constituents. The
Commissioners also have a published Rules of Order that give them some good,
common sense, and ethical guidelines to practice. If only they did.
One of the good practices the Commissioners have
followed is a minimum of “recommendation” decisions deferred to committees.
Many counties make the majority of financial and many policy decisions at a
committee level. Assign a few board members, typically three to avoid a tie
vote, and ask them to research the issue and bring back a “recommendation”.
These committee meetings typically occur at what is effectively a closed-door
meeting, with a meeting notice posted only “in house”. This “recommendation”
then becomes a “decision” when the full board rubber-stamps an approval.
Cheboygan County has a few standing committees and this
is all about the Board Appointments & Procedures and their practice of or
failure to practice ethics. The County utilizes many volunteers on Boards,
Authorities and Commissions. You may have seen the infrequent ads for open
positions for some of these positions. I say volunteer because none pay more
than a stipend for attendance or mileage. Some positions require only a minimum
of attendance or effort, but all are invaluable because they do give interested
citizens an opportunity to serve your community. Unlike some positions, those
on the Planning Commission might compare to volunteering for jury duty 24 times
a year. Regardless of your position on the issues, those citizens who attended
hearings for Griswold Mountain, Heritage Cove, and the numerous hearings on
Planning and Zoning amendments know that these people take their volunteer
responsibilities very seriously.
By state law, the nine members of the Planning
Commission should never have more than three members with terms ending in the
same year. This is Cheboygan County, and at the end of 2016, five Planning
Commission members had terms expiring. County admin staff asked if they were
willing to serve another three-year term. All five answered in the affirmative.
Why did the Board Appointments & Procedures
Committee consisting of Commissioners Wallace, Brown, and out-going Gauthier
only “recommend” three be reappointed? Why did that Committee ignore the rules
“to report matters considered and rejected as well as those
considered and recommended”? Why did Commissioner Brown and Gauthier have
wildly differing off-the-record recollections what occurred? Would Commissioner
Wallace have yet another version of the events?
The County Commissioners, thinking only three members
had expiring terms, were treated like mushrooms and kept in the dark. The newly
elected Board of Commissioners have an opportunity to right this egregious
wrong and reappoint these two thoughtful, experienced and independent thinkers
to the Planning Commission. This might also be a good opportunity to restock or
shuffle the Board
Appointments & Procedures Committee to assure valued volunteers serving our
community are not tossed out on a whim.
