A Council Candidate Says the Right Things About Ethics and Transparency

San Marcos (TX) Council candidate Toby Hooper, in his first public statement as a candidate, said some of the right things about ethics:

On the role of an ethics commission (he's a member of the city's ethics review commission):

“I would like city leaders and staff to be able to approach the commission about concerns before they become a problem instead of only dealing with the result in a complaint. For example, before a project or initiative is to begin, staff could meet with the commission and the city attorney to make a review for any conflicts of interest or potential ethics violations, this shift could avoid angry citizen meetings and potential litigation.”

On the importance of government transparency:

“When a citizenry believes that they know what is happening in government they begin to trust government, and when they believe they are being heard and realize they have a measure of control they understand that they are the government.”

From an article in yesterday's San Marcos Mercury.

Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics

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