by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Answers aren’t given if questions aren’t asked.
That was the theme of the City’s Ethics Commission meeting Monday as the commission looked for answers for some high-profile issues.
The first issue could end up costing the City $1 million because of an error calculating the traffic impact of a proposed development on Brandy Branch Road near Baldwin. James and Fay Coleman were assessed $583,091 as their “fair share” for road improvements needed because of the increased traffic their development is expected to bring. The correct amount was closer to $1.5 million.
“I hope someone is looking over the shoulder of the person who is doing these mathematical equations,” said Mary Stewart, member of the Ethics Commission.
The City’s Managing Deputy General Counsel Steve Rohan explained that it’s not as easy as adding two numbers together.
“There are a lot of different factors that go into these calculations,” said Rohan. “Time and time again we have done these calculations, and more often than not the mistakes are caught.”
Regardless of how it happened, the commission wants to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“It’s the appearance. I know you can’t hang a man for his appearance, but something needs to be done,” said Jay Williams, Ethics Commission chair. “I just want it on the record that we are addressing this.”
The commission also wanted to address gifts given to the City and the use of tickets to sky boxes at the stadium and arena.
“The mayor has adjusted his sky box policy over the years,” said Rohan. “I don’t think anything has been committed to writing.”
Rohan wasn’t sure about the mayor’s policy and urged the commission to check with the mayor’s office to find out more about the policy.
As of Feb. 2, 2007, the City policy is to distribute tickets received by the mayor’s office between community leaders, non-profit organizations and City employees and other citizens recognized for their contributions. The mayor’s office is also working with the City’s ethics officer to develop an online reporting system of gifts given to the City.
Helen Ludwig of Arlington addressed the commission on another issue of City policy. She normally arranges for political candidates to visit the Singleton Senior Center, but all City senior centers were informed July 21 that campaign appearances needed to be canceled due to City policy.
“I want to know why someone decided to pull the rug out from under us,” said Ludwig. “This is the only chance some seniors get to interact with candidates.”
Rohan explained why the candidates had beeen allowed to visit the center previously.
“Nobody ever asked if the candidates were allowed to visit before,” said Rohan. “So nobody ever looked into it.”
The City’s Campaign Regulation Ordinance doesn’t allow political candidates to campaign where City employees are working, Rohan explained.
“That was a variable we didn’t think about when we drafted the ordinance,” said Mary Phelan, Ethics Commission member.
Rohan explained to Ludwig how she could go about changing the ordinance, which involves getting a City Council member to sponsor the amendment.
“It doesn’t look like we can get this done by August 26,” said Ludwig, referring to the date of the primary election.
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