Understanding Is Everything
We don't know why the Summit County developer is running for a council seat (see
the most recent blog entry), but we do know why a sheriff's sergeant in
Rancho Murieta, California, is running for the Sacramento County
Community Services District Board: to get off-duty sheriff's deputies
to provide security in his area. And according to <a href="http://ranchomurieta.com/node/7112" target="”_blank”">an article on
ranchomurieta.com</a>, he is very frustrated that, if elected, this is
the one issue he won't be allowed to vote on.<br>
<br>
"I understand conflict of interest," he told the reporter. "A conflict
of interest is not something I have. I have this archaic thing called a
‘remote interest,’ which surprises the heck out of a lot of people,
myself included.” In other words, he doesn't have a conflict yet, but
he will if the issue comes up. This may be remote in time, but at
election time it's important. It's even important to him: "Had he known
about this limit on his involvement, [the sergeant] said, he might not
have run. But he said he will stay in this race."<br>
<br>
It's painful, but instructive to hear the sergeant's feelings: "I have
no financial gain. I don’t hide (anything) from anybody. I’m not
getting a dime out of this. I don’t represent the sheriff. He’s not
paying me to run. I’m a homeowner. And I feel the government, this
government code section, has stymied me."<br>
<br>
Without an understanding of appearances of impropriety, and how
appearances can undermine the public's trust, conflict of
interest laws can seem baffling and unfair. It's important always to
emphasize the Why of government ethics laws. That even without
financial gain, with transparency, and with no actual pressure from
one's boss, a situation can look bad to the public and, therefore, an
official should not be involved. With government ethics, understanding
is everything.<br>
<br>
Robert Wechsler<br>
Director of Research-Retired, City Ethics<br>
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