follow up on the video

This article was in the comments sections to the Nelson video. I thought people might not see it there, so I posted it.
I was shocked by Nelson's behavior. It shows we need that code and we need to keep watching.

From an Ely voter:

From the Ely Timberjay - the editor of that newspaper knows right from wrong!



Code of conduct-Voters have a role to play in stemming board immaturity

“Professional behavior demonstrates to the public and all public servants that it matters how we do business each day. It is a public commitment to doing our work in a professional, respectful and lawful way.”

Those are the two opening sentences of a proposed new code of conduct for St. Louis County. Unfortunately, it appears those words may be setting the bar too high for some on the county board.

It was just a few weeks ago that it seemed the St. Louis County Board was poised to adopt such a code of ethics in the wake of sexual harassment complaints against two sitting commissioners.

But if the comments of some board members at their Oct. 16 meeting to discuss a draft of the conduct code are any indication, don’t hold your breath. Professional and respectful behavior isn’t likely to return to St. Louis County Board meetings any time soon.

Far from serious discussion, some board members made it clear they’re in no hurry to reform themselves. One commissioner suggested they should refer the matter to another meeting— preferably sometime next year. Commissioner Dennis Fink, who recently caused a stir by throwing a book at Commissioner Peg Sweeney during a board meeting, nitpicked over individual words, headings and definitions.

Perhaps definitions wouldn’t be such a bad thing for some on the board. The code after all, uses words like respect, trustworthiness and fairness—and some on the county board act as if they were out sick back in first grade when such concepts were taught to the rest of us.

The code might also encourage maturity, since there’s a disappointing lack of it as well among some on the board. Some commissioners are still in a snit over having to take legal advice from a woman, of all things. It’s time to get over it.

Sadly, it’s not clear how much difference a code of conduct will actually make. While the many conscientious county employees and officials will easily comply with the document, such individuals don’t need a piece of paper to tell them how to show respect for others. But from the bullying and immaturity exhibited regularly by some commissioners at board meetings, it’s going to take more than mere words to get them to change their ways.

It’s going to take voters to finally ask themselves if this is the kind of representation they really want on the county board.


The article can be found at the following website http://timberjay.com/current.php?article=3818

November 12, 2007 7:18 PM