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Frisco Council to polish ethics code
By Devin Monk, Staff writer
Acknowledging that the city’s Code of Ethics ordinance needed to be dusted off and updated, Frisco City Council members agreed at Tuesday night’s regular meeting that a committee independent from the council should be formed to revise the ordinance created in 2000.
Council members did not take a vote, but the general consensus was that no committee member or liaison should come from the council itself and any council review of the update should be carried out at arm’s length, Mayor Maher Maso said.
“It’s going to take some time to review a document of this complexity,” Maso said.
Abernathy noted that the Code of Ethics ordinance did not include wording that detailed whether council members would be liable if they violated the code because they followed the city attorney’s advice. He also said that the code may conflict with state ordinances.
“If [the code is] not maintained, it provides ambiguity,” said council member Bart Crowder, who was serving in his first meeting after being elected in a June 14 run-off.
Council members also appointed Ron Patterson as interim city secretary until a replacement for former city secretary Nan Parker is hired.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
taxpayer wrote on Jul 4, 2008 7:12 PM:
" they waited until they knew all was clear.
inotherwords they waited until the elections were over and that the new mayor had cleared by vote no less, the obvious conflict of interest that occurred.
An unwatched government will corrupt itself faster than they can be thrown out "
inotherwords they waited until the elections were over and that the new mayor had cleared by vote no less, the obvious conflict of interest that occurred.
An unwatched government will corrupt itself faster than they can be thrown out "
Mayor Maso wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:43 PM:
" Now that the city & council has your attention looking at Ethics for your city,
maybe you will take a look at using public funds to take the council & others to an out of town retreat many miles away from where your citizens could attend the meeting. Out of sight, out of mind, is that the motto of your admisistration>
Time you read up on what is required for a public meeting...And you might ask that attorney you all have on the payroll...
secon thought, for this one , you might want to consult outside legal aide. "
maybe you will take a look at using public funds to take the council & others to an out of town retreat many miles away from where your citizens could attend the meeting. Out of sight, out of mind, is that the motto of your admisistration>
Time you read up on what is required for a public meeting...And you might ask that attorney you all have on the payroll...
secon thought, for this one , you might want to consult outside legal aide. "
Larry Waters wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:26 PM:
" Ethics enforcement and reform has been a personal issue of mine. I applaud Mayor Maso for tackling this so early in his tenure and shows how seriously he takes it.
We read, it seems weekly, of Dallas City Council Ethics issues. But remember, Frisco was little more than a dirt road 10 years ago and the Mayor and Council are volunteers. This presents very different issues than a Dallas where the officials receive a salary and it's a full time job.
Creating Ethics Codes for that situation is a lot easier than when you have a volunteer government with outside full-time jobs.
I believe that's why Frisco has shied away from it and some have definitely taken personal advantage of that in the past. But Mayor Maso making this a top priority should not be criticized but lauded.
And unlike in the past, it should be done in such a way that the Ethics Code will stand up in Court and be enforcable. At least one Frisco voter should also be appointed to that commission.
As for the rest of us, doing real due diligence on candidates and attending City Council sessions....being involved; is an area all Frisco residents can participate in. The fact we haven't in the past to any large extent is a "shame on us". Until this year, I include myself in that group as well. "
We read, it seems weekly, of Dallas City Council Ethics issues. But remember, Frisco was little more than a dirt road 10 years ago and the Mayor and Council are volunteers. This presents very different issues than a Dallas where the officials receive a salary and it's a full time job.
Creating Ethics Codes for that situation is a lot easier than when you have a volunteer government with outside full-time jobs.
I believe that's why Frisco has shied away from it and some have definitely taken personal advantage of that in the past. But Mayor Maso making this a top priority should not be criticized but lauded.
And unlike in the past, it should be done in such a way that the Ethics Code will stand up in Court and be enforcable. At least one Frisco voter should also be appointed to that commission.
As for the rest of us, doing real due diligence on candidates and attending City Council sessions....being involved; is an area all Frisco residents can participate in. The fact we haven't in the past to any large extent is a "shame on us". Until this year, I include myself in that group as well. "
Larry Waters wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:34 PM:
" Out of town retreats of this nature are not only very common in Fortune 1000 companies, but recommended by Strategy and Change Management specialists.
By taking executive management out of their environment for strategic planning (and making them turn off their Blackberry's) allows them to laser focus on the agenda without normal interruptions. They are more productive and accomplish much more.
It's an excellent business practice and Frisco needs professionalism, not pandering, at 100,000+. "
By taking executive management out of their environment for strategic planning (and making them turn off their Blackberry's) allows them to laser focus on the agenda without normal interruptions. They are more productive and accomplish much more.
It's an excellent business practice and Frisco needs professionalism, not pandering, at 100,000+. "
Larry Waters wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:45 PM:
" Taxpayer, I think it's great and about time. I think it's unfortunate that City and State Ethics complaints had to be filed to wake everyone up. The fact that this is a top priority for the new administration is a tribute to them and a realization that (finally) Frisco voters are acting instead of just gossiping as they have for years.
"If no one takes notice; if no one takes action; corruption by a few is inevitable".
The election is over but I hope voter vigilance isn't.
Good for Mayor Maso to have the courage to publicly tackle an issue that has only been whispered about before. "
"If no one takes notice; if no one takes action; corruption by a few is inevitable".
The election is over but I hope voter vigilance isn't.
Good for Mayor Maso to have the courage to publicly tackle an issue that has only been whispered about before. "
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residents have a right to expect a high
standard from their public officials. This should have been done a long time ago, why were they not advised of same, so,
they need to start with a new city attorney that allowed this condition to happen. Much will be expected of this review group! "