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Stebbins, Markey Co-Sponsor Ethics Ordinance

by Bill Dusty

Springfield City Councilors Patrick Markey and Bruce Stebbins have teamed up to sponsor a new ethics ordinance “for city officials, department heads, and lobbyists.”

In a press release dated March 22, Markey asserts that the primary objective of the ordinance is transparency in government. “Among other things,” he said in the release, “it requires that city officials disclose financial interests and mandates that lobbyists register with the City Clerk.”

Markey said this would make it easier for the public to “follow the money” and also help assure that decisions made by city officials “are not contaminated by self-interest and personal financial interest.”

Stebbins said in the same release: “As someone who has worked at the federal and state levels of government, [I can say that] these guidelines and requirements are not unusual and it is easily applicable to city government. Members of our state delegation have to comply with similar guidelines.”

From the press release:

The ordinance, which to a large extent mirrors statutes that apply to state officials and lobbyists, includes key provisions that address:

• Conduct of city employees and how they can make sure that they or other family members do not gain personal benefit from the decision-making process
• Local guidelines regarding gifts
• New guidelines for lobbyists (“municipal agents”) who seek to influence the outcome of governmental bodies including the mayor, city council and other commissions, including registering the individual’s name with the city clerk, recording lobbying activities and contributions
• Financial disclosure statements for city officials, including elected officials, department heads and deputy and assistant heads as well as commission members
• Penalties for violations

In the release, Markey said that he has spoken with the Mayor about the proposed ordinance and that he expected the Mayor as well as other City Councilors “to sign onto it.”

“It sets standards which most working in and around government have always met,” Markey said. “It imposes consequences for those who don’t.”

According to the press release, the two co-sponsors will be introducing the proposed ordinance at the first City Council meeting in May.

Bruce Stebbins is entering his second two-year term as a Springfield City Councilor. Patrick Markey was elected to the City Council for the first time this past November.

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Posted by Bill Dusty on Mar 25th, 2008 and filed under Cities & Towns, City Hall, Feature Stories, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.