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Selling a Lack of Expertise
Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
Robert Wechsler
Expertise is one of the most difficult issues in local government
ethics. In most cases, more expertise also means more potential
conflicts of interest, and yet it can also mean more effective
government. According to an article
in yesterday's Park Record (Park City, UT), a Summit County Council
candidate running against the head of a development company is focusing
on this issue.
"How do you know?" she asks. "Does [her opponent] have a personal agenda for trying to get elected?" And she argues, "The biggest difference between myself and [my opponent] is that I will not approach politics in the county with a paternalistic approach. I'm not coming in saying, 'I am an expert.'"
This candidate feels her opponent has many potential conflicts, due to ownership of many acres in the county, the fact that an employee of his is the county's real-estate advisor, and the fact that his firm is seeking to build a large subdivision in the county.
This is a tough choice for citizens, one central to local government ethics. Is a bright young newcomer with less expertise in development issues, who will be seen as serving the public interest (she is also focusing on transparency issues) better than someone with lots of expertise, who has had a close relationship with the government as a developer, and who might be seen as serving himself and his business associates?
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
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"How do you know?" she asks. "Does [her opponent] have a personal agenda for trying to get elected?" And she argues, "The biggest difference between myself and [my opponent] is that I will not approach politics in the county with a paternalistic approach. I'm not coming in saying, 'I am an expert.'"
This candidate feels her opponent has many potential conflicts, due to ownership of many acres in the county, the fact that an employee of his is the county's real-estate advisor, and the fact that his firm is seeking to build a large subdivision in the county.
This is a tough choice for citizens, one central to local government ethics. Is a bright young newcomer with less expertise in development issues, who will be seen as serving the public interest (she is also focusing on transparency issues) better than someone with lots of expertise, who has had a close relationship with the government as a developer, and who might be seen as serving himself and his business associates?
Robert Wechsler
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics
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