Rumpkegate Matters

The integrity of New Albany's city council remains under a cloud until the council itself addresses the damage and condemns the recent Rumpkegate activities.

You will recall that during Thanksgiving week more than one local resident confidently stated that the bid process for a new sanitation contract had been corrupted, that despite the strictures of a sealed bidding process, the contract had already been awarded to Rumpke, one of the bidders.

Although the assertion was palpably untrue, it represents an attempt by persons unknown to tamper with the public bidding process, to extort bribes or other consideration from current and prospective bidders, and to discourage bidders with integrity from seeking public contracts.

When the statement was challenged, it was defended by the claim that not only was it true, but that the source of the corrupt information was one or more city council members.

Only 5th District Council Member Beverly Crump has publicly denied being the instigator of this rumor. Council President Jeff Gahan must assert his authority tonight to make it clear that no member of this council would be involved in extortion of bribes or theft of public information. And if any council member should admit involvement in Rumpkegate, the council as a whole must censure that member in the strongest possible terms.

Anything less does damage to this city, its residents, the council itself, and the public trust. And Gahan's legacy as council president for 2005 will be indelibly marred and diminished.