The proposed Cuyahoga County Code of Ethics drafted by the County Charter Transition Advisory Group provides enforcement measures that should keep our new county government ethically sound. We’ve been hearing about a possible Code of Ethics for Cuyahoga County, and County Executive Ed Fitzgerald has already provided employees with ethical guidelines, but a formal County Code of Ethics must be adopted by Tue 3/22, when temporary provisions approved on Mon 1/3 expire.
What’s in the Code of Ethics? How will it be enforced? How will it change county government? What are the chances that it will be adopted by the new Council?
Thanks to a program at the City Club on Mon 1/10, eleven members of the County Council have been apprised of the benefits of adopting the proposed Code, or a modified version of it. That they were present at the City Club for a program orchestrated by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Cleveland Chapter and the Cuyahoga County Code of Ethics Workgroup, along with the League of Women Voters, is a testimony to their interest in adopting a Code of Ethics. Councilpersons present at the meeting were Chuck Germana, Pernel Jones, Jr., David Greenspan, Dale Miller, Yvonne Conwell, Jack Schron, Michael Gallagher, and Julian Rogers.
The Code will change county government because every employee of the county will be responsible for upholding the standards set forth in the Code. Richard Condit, Senior Counsel to the Government Accountability Project, and an attorney who has worked on many issues involving ethics in government, flew in from Washington to speak about his impressions of the draft Code. When it was time for Mr. Condit to speak, he focused on the Code’s whistleblower protections. He presented cogent arguments for enlisting ALL county employees, and all county citizens, to embrace a new, ethical culture in county government in which there is no fear of retaliation. He reviewed the Code of Ethics and found it sound. He praised the whistleblower provisions in the Code because there should be no fear of retaliation for “tattling” on fellow employees.
The meeting was brought to order by Claudia Taller, SPJ’s president, who introduced Dr. Carrie Buchanan, SPJ’s First Vice President who also sat on the Code of Ethics Workgroup. She introduced Lynda Mayer, who chaired the Code of Ethics Workgroup and pointed out the members of the new County Council who were present. Everyone in attendance was given a copy of the Code of Ethics, which can be found on the County Charter Transition Advisory Group website at http://Charter.CuyahogaCounty.us. WCPN public radio ran the story on the evening of the event. It was covered by journalist Rick Jackson and summarizes the impact of the event. Here’s the link: http://Ideastream.org.
The Code of Ethics Workgroup was charged with making recommendations for a responsible ethical government in Cuyahoga County. Workgroup Chair Lynda Mayer and fellow Workgroup members Carrie Buchanan, Mary Dunbar, and Susan Gray appeared at the City Club to present their proposed code, which can be adopted as it is or can be modified by Council. The County Counsel may amend any provisions of the Code of Ethics not otherwise mandated by the Ohio Revised Code or the Cuyahoga County Charter.
The Code contains sections on prohibited conduct, Disclosure, Transparency & Prevention, establishment of an Ethics Board. The Ethics board is to be “scrupulously independent and shall be guaranteed sufficient resources to assure compliance with County ethics provisions, vigorously educate all covered persons, investigate and act upon complaints, render advice, maintain records, and monitor necessary technology for transparency.”
Prohibited conduct includes violations of law and ordinances, misuse of position, gifts and honoraria, unlawful interest in contracts, conflicts of interest, improper compensation, campaign contributions, improper treatment of employees. In addition to defining prohibited conduct, the Code sets forth disclosure, transparency and prevention provisions, including whistleblower protection that gives all county government employees and contractual personnel the right to speak freely about work-related matters, to communicate with County Council members, and to expect reasonable conditions of employment. County employees and contractors and their employees have the responsibility of providing protected disclosure, without retaliation.
The proposed Code of Ethics is a step in a new direction for Cuyahoga County. If adopted, it can be enforced, and there’s a good chance the proposed Code, or a modified version, will be adopted, especially given that many County Council members heard the Government Accountability Project’s praises.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia Taller, whose book Ohio’s Lake Erie Wineries will be published by Arcadia next spring. Her passion for words has led to creation of the Lakeside Word Lover’s Retreats, an outgrowth of her work with Skyline Writers. Her favorite foods are red wine, salmon, ice cream, and chocolate. She loves to read, write, tour wineries, ride her bike, ease into yoga, and cook gourmet meals for friends. Find her at http://www.ClaudiaTallerMusings.blogspot.com or at http://www.OhioLakeErieWineries.blogspot.com.
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