by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The City’s Ethics Commission was both surprised and pleased to see such occupational diversity in the nominee pool for its inaugural “City of Jacksonville Ethics Commission Annual Award for Excellence in Ethics.”
The deadline to submit nominations was Nov. 20 and the Commission’s Awards Subcommittee met Wednesday to review the nominees and develop recommendations to submit to the Ethics Commission. Those nominated for the honor include City Council member Clay Yarborough, Edward Waters College President Claudette Williams, Senior University Counsel for Health Affairs and Compliance at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville Robert Pelaia, Executive Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at Duval County Public Schools Josephine Jackson and journalist and community activist Marvin Edwards.
“I think it’s impressive the number of arenas we’ve received nominations from,” said Pat Sher, subcommittee member. “It’s good to see that so many communities are interested in best ethical practices.”
Subcommittee member Scott Shine presented the idea of an Ethics Commission Award and penned its initial structure, “This award will be presented to a member of the community whose works provide an example of superior ethical practices, who labors to advance the culture of ethics and who provides inspiration to others to the ongoing journey of ethical practices...This award can be presented to any member within the local community including citizens, public officials and city employees.”
The subcommittee, which included Shine, Sher and Helen Ludwig, took time to review these initial guidelines for the new award and decided to annually present two awards, one for public servant and another for a private citizen. Both of the awards will recognize the act of superior ethical practices.
“It’s important that we recognize the act rather than the person,” said Carla Miller, City Ethics Officer. “By doing that, we can maintain the integrity of the award.”
The subcommittee will present its recommendations at Monday’s meeting of the full Ethics Commission.
356-2466