End the Corruption Now
Going by the courthouse today?
Do a little digging and find out which city councilman, while serving in elected office, was cited for repeatedly violating the city building codes by performing "skilled" electrical, HVAC, and assorted other building trades duties without even applying for, much less receiving the proper permits?
Ask around. See if the city didn't resort to litigation to have it stopped and see if there's not a consent decree on file somewhere to resolve the matter.
Then dig a little deeper and find out for whom the city councilman was performing some of this work. Could it have been yet another veteran city councilman? And while we're at it, how many council members own rental properties in this city that were renovated, repaired or subdivided into multiple rental units without the acquisition of the proper permits?
Let's just put it all on the table.
Let's demand that every elected official in the City of New Albany list all of their and their family's commercial interests, employments, real estate interests, etc. so that the public can judge whether their votes are in the public interest or in their own or their families' interests.
Did you ever wonder why some council members so vigorously oppose the idea of an ordinance enforcement officer? Are they enriching themselves by seeing to it that the building codes and the other city ordinances aren't enforced?
There's certainly nothing wrong with owning property or having business interests. Our mayor owns a dry cleaning store. But if the mayor suddenly directs that, for example, all police officers must have their uniforms done at his place, that would be a clear conflict.
And if a city council member opposes the enforcement of health and safety ordinances while operating outside those ordinances, the public has the right to know that, too.
Do a little digging and find out which city councilman, while serving in elected office, was cited for repeatedly violating the city building codes by performing "skilled" electrical, HVAC, and assorted other building trades duties without even applying for, much less receiving the proper permits?
Ask around. See if the city didn't resort to litigation to have it stopped and see if there's not a consent decree on file somewhere to resolve the matter.
Then dig a little deeper and find out for whom the city councilman was performing some of this work. Could it have been yet another veteran city councilman? And while we're at it, how many council members own rental properties in this city that were renovated, repaired or subdivided into multiple rental units without the acquisition of the proper permits?
Let's just put it all on the table.
Let's demand that every elected official in the City of New Albany list all of their and their family's commercial interests, employments, real estate interests, etc. so that the public can judge whether their votes are in the public interest or in their own or their families' interests.
Did you ever wonder why some council members so vigorously oppose the idea of an ordinance enforcement officer? Are they enriching themselves by seeing to it that the building codes and the other city ordinances aren't enforced?
There's certainly nothing wrong with owning property or having business interests. Our mayor owns a dry cleaning store. But if the mayor suddenly directs that, for example, all police officers must have their uniforms done at his place, that would be a clear conflict.
And if a city council member opposes the enforcement of health and safety ordinances while operating outside those ordinances, the public has the right to know that, too.
posted by All4Word at 10:57 AM
4 Comments:
I recall that Councilman Coffey was cited for working without the proper permits several years ago. I don't recall, however, who it was he was doing the work for, or how the matter was resolved.
I seem to remember that the issue became politicized, as does just about every such matter in New Albany.
Is that the same Coffey who, upon being accused of unlawful entry at the Admiral Bicknell Inn, said the owner was just angry because he questioned whether or not she had gotten the required permits?
If I recall, Coffey said it was just a case of "someone with a little bit of money trying to go around the system".
That's interesting.
I'm sure he and the other CMs would be happy to open their records to clear up any confusion, though.
My personal belief is that all of our elected officials should be able to hold up to public scrutiny in their business dealings.
I do expect a high degree of ethics and professionalism from them all.
I agree completely that every Coucil member submit their "other" employment, any other business endeavors, any contracts they have with City departments, all boards and commissions they sit on, and property they have an interest in.
They should all be able to make their other interests known with no fear of the appearance of improprieties or conflicts of interest.
The Mayor should be held to the same standard.
Show us that there are no instances of City business being conducted for the benefit or personal gain of any administration employee.
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