By Pat Cooper
Pat@fayette-news.com
Now that outgoing county commissioner Robert Horgan has filed a complaint with the county’s newly formed ethics board against commissioner Steve Brown, it looks like the makeup of the board is going to be reviewed again.
Earlier this week, Horgan charged Brown with two violations of the ethics ordinance.
On Thursday, Brown, who has consistently be a critic of the makeup of the ethics board, sent a memo to county clerk Floyd Jones regarding the board members.
“To be consistent, I am requesting that Mayor Dan Langford abstain from sitting on this hearing when his council conducts business with the Fayette County government,”
In November, the commission was required to staff the established ethics board to hear a complaint against then-county attorney Bennett. Ten names had been assembled, but the process didn’t go smoothly as things were debated among the commission.
For a start, there was no set procedure for appointing board members. County attorney Scott Bennett said it was up to the board how they wanted to handle it.
Commissioner Steve Brown, looking at the list and seeing the name of Mayor Dan Langford, said he had a problem with having an elected official on the ethics board.
“I appreciate Mr. Langford’s willingness to serve but I don’t think we should have people engaged in county politics on the board. I don’t know if it’s kosher.”
He was assured by Bennett that there was nothing illegal about the selection. That hasn’t changed Brown’s opinion.
“Elected officials do not belong on an Ethics Board. I made this request at the [county attorney] Scott Bennett hearing also.” |
