Ethical Governance Day in Miami-Dade County
The Miami-Dade County ethics commission has been a leader in
reaching out to the community. In 2011, it co-sponsored <a href="http://www.cityethics.org/content/local-government-ethics-conference-be…; target="”_blank”">a
local government ethics conference</a>, which attracted people
from all over Florida. In 2012, it organized the first Ethical
Governance Day, according to an <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/05/3670266/miami-dade-community-ethi…; target="”_blank”">op-ed
in the Miami Herald this weekend</a>, written by the EC's
executive director, Joseph Centorino. This year the <a href="http://ethics.miamidade.gov/ethical-governance-day-2013.asp" target="”_blank”">second
Ethical Governance Day</a> will be held on Tuesday, October 22.<br>
<br>
Ethical Governance Day's principal activity involves civic leaders
going into the county's public schools to talk about
ethical governance and the value of citizen participation in
government. It is a great thing to openly acknowledge that citizen
participation in government is a major long-term goal of a government
ethics program. It is also a great thing to have something like this
available when bad things happen, such as the arrest of three mayors
in the county in August. And it is a great way for an ethics commission to go beyond what it is required to do and make a big difference in the community.<br>
<br>
Here is an excerpt from the op-ed piece:<blockquote>
There is a direct correlation between the quality of civic
engagement and the integrity of government. ... We may bemoan the
parade of corrupt officials on display in the recent and
not-so-recent history of this county. We could condemn them,
perhaps even feel relieved by their comeuppance. But we cannot
escape the fact that we elected and re-elected them.<br>
<br>
We all share a collective responsibility for the integrity of
local government. We need some legal reforms, but virtue in public
life cannot really be legislated. It can, however, be inculcated
through education and practice. ... [This day continues] our
effort to build a stronger civil society in a county that has yet
to develop the civic institutions and citizen involvement that
mark a healthy political community.</blockquote>
Many, perhaps most, of our cities and counties lack a healthy
amount of citizen involvement and healthy civic institutions that provide
the support needed for informed citizen involvement. An ethics commission
should recognize that it does not need to be passive, that it can
join together with civic organizations, professional and business
associations, and schools and universities to get a dialogue going
about ethical conduct and about the role of citizens in providing and
supporting the oversight that is needed, both during and between elections.<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
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