Comments on: City Staff Once Again Recommends Against Appointed Ethics Officer

By: Michael Paris

Michael Paris — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 16:19:27 +0000

The city, in all aspects of it’s governance has arrogantly and blatantly abused their power regularly. They in no way want an ethics officer/commission looking over their shoulder now. Marks, Favors, Miller, Gillum and Lindley have exercised “situational ethics” only when it is politically expedient or they get caught with their hands in the cookie jar. The state ethics commission is a toothless entity now and they are no viable recourse in addressing corruption.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 11:31:09 +0000

A simple fix for this is to stop electing unethical people.

By: Hope

Hope — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:29:55 +0000

If they had an ethic’s officer how could they get away with giving a million dollar business deal to a commissioner’s campaign manager for a brew pub at Cascades Park (Gillum), AT&T (Marks), and TAPP commercials (Yordon & Paige Carter Smith) who have business/campaign relationships with commissioners Scott Maddox and Nancy Miller?

How could they get away with being caught in a compromising position with their aide, then firing minority employees for observing the adultery and her supervisor for failing to cover it up for the Lothario commissioner? Yes, it’s true and even when they threaten to have security escort out a public speaker at a commission meeting for exposing it and cut of the speaker’s mic, it does not change the fact that it’s TRUE!

How could they get away with lobbying and business conflicts of interest (Maddox & Yordon).

How could they get away with walking out on voting for what would be a conflict of interest (Maddox)?

If there were an ethic’s officer how could a commissioner’s (Maddox) business partner (Yordon) get away with not registering as a lobbyist and then fraudulently registering under a defunct entity?

How could they get away with a commissioner not being eligible for their seat due to the residency law (Scott Maddox)?

An ethic’s officer would not be in their best interest because their conflicts, illegal deals, and adultery would be exposed and they would be held accountable.

Certainly no surprise here that they failed to do the ethical and responsible thing. May the misdeeds, illegal deals, and sleaze carry on.

By: jack Quiiman

jack Quiiman — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:19:43 +0000

Workshop on this issue–This wednesday-12th at three o-clock, just before Commission meeting. THERE IS NO LOGICAL REASON AN HONEST COMMMISSIONER -WOULD NOT WANT AN INDEPENDENT ETHICS OFFICER. Can’t wait to hear the double talk.
Be there.

By: Ben Poitevent

Ben Poitevent — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 21:54:45 +0000

First, the staff does not make recommendations that have not already been approved by a majority of the commissioners. The staff works for the commissioners and does not function independent of their input in the planning stage of any issue, especially ethics.
The plan of the commissioners is to establish a city ethics officer so they can claim they did so, but at the same time keep him or her under their control, directly or indirectly. They do not intend to create a truly independent ethics officer, just as they do not have a truly independent City Manager or staff.
What I believe they will do is create an ethics officer who is subject to their control. Independence and real authority to initiate inquiries be damned.
If they do so, the citizens of Tallahassee will be denied a wonderful opportunity to gain additional insight into its city government.
Watch for all sorts of proposals or amendments as all but the lame duck mayor try to posture themselves as supporters, but will “kill it with kindness.” Most will profess support but will be amending it to death.
Let’s wait and see.