To be Ethical Or Not
Miriam - Webster Dictionary defines "ethics" as, "a set of moral principles : a theory or system of moral values, the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group, a guiding philosophy, the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation."
Greenwich Board of Ethics Handbook:
https://www.greenwichct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3264/The-Code-of-Ethics-PDF
Earlier this year, First Selectman Fred Camillo (R) received an offer letter from S.E Minor & Company, a firm offering services such as land surveying, planning and Zoning services, civil engineering, enviromental science services and the like. They also do business with the Town of Greenwich, among other clients.
Link to S.E Minor & Company website:
https://seminor.com/
The Company appointed Camillo to their Advisory Board, compensating him $10,000.00 per year for his services.
,
On pages 120 and 121 of the Board of Ethics Report states
"The Board of Ethics has never previously rendered a decision or provided and advisory opinion with respect to such an arrangement. Under CT Gen Stat § 7- 12 the Selectmen are responsible to “superintend the concerns of the town, adjust and settle all claims against it and draw orders on the treasurer for their payment.” In addition, the Selectman’s role is to serve as “chief executive officer” of the Town and Town agent. The Selectman also serves as an ex-officio voting member of the Flood and Erosion Control Board as well a non-voting ex-officio member of all other 121 town boards, commissions and committees, including land use commissions. Under Section 217 of the Greenwich Code of Ordinances, the Selectman is also responsible to supervise and control all “administrative functions relative to police, fire, highways, sewers and other public works, building inspection, parks, recreation, law, human resources, parking services, fleet management, information technology and purchasing for such purposes. It is noted that Section 217 requires the Selectman to devote full time to the duties of his office..."
Advisory Opinion No. 24-03 and complete report can be found here:
https://www.greenwichct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17543/Recent-Decisions-and-Opinions-of-the-Board-of-Ethics
The First Selectman's full time position is one of time-consuming responsibilities to the Town. The position is "full time" for a reason. The role is that of Greenwich’s Chief Executive Officer, beholden to a sworn Oath of Office. Any person in that role MUST have the sole responsibility and loyalty to the Town they serve. No question. This is the priority.
In this instance, Camillo is serving a dual interest: one to the Town and the other to himself. He can't have it both ways and call this ethical. The First Selectman position REQUIRES undivided attention to Town concerns. Residents who voted for the First Selectman did so with the expectation of this undivided attention. Even more concerning is the obvious conflict of interest wrought by this arrangement.
In various email exchanges and conversations with Town residents, many were unaware that Camillo was appointed to this Board, though it was eventually made public through various media outlets. Many residents raised the same ethical concerns we are all raising. In fact, we wonder why the salary of the First Selectman, currently at almost $151,000.00 is so insufficient he feels the need to take on a second job; in particular this job, which brings with it ethical baggage.
Even more shocking is that the Board of Ethics essentially "rubber stamped" this poor decision, though they tried to address these concerns. (see Greenwich Board of Ethics Official Report above).
Because we are not naive and clearly see the obvious conflicts. It becomes incresingly difficult to proclaim to residents that you're trying your best to stop the overbuilding, to slow down 8-30g and that you're "fighting hard in Hartford" on behalf of the Town when your secondary "employer" also files applications with Planning and Zoning.
We're not buying this.
We strongly recommend Camillo sever his his personal and financial ties to S.E. Minor in order to focus on the job at hand, which is efficiently governing the Town of Greenwich.
We have incuded several links to get better acquainted with the importance of the position of First Selectman and Selectmen.
Board of Selectmen:
"The Board of Selectmen Office is the focal point of Greenwich town government. Along with its many responsibilities and duties, constituent contact with the public is an extremely important function of the day-to-day business of the Office. Every effort is made to keep open all lines of communications between government and the people it serves."
"The Selectmen’s Office also supports and assists a variety of community interests, activities, and organizations through proclamations, statements, appearances as well as active participation. This continues a long-established tradition of proactive involvement by the First Selectman and Selectmen in all aspects of town life."
https://www.greenwichct.gov/711/Board-of-Selectmen
The Office of First Selectman:
https://www.greenwichct.gov/1041/About-the-Office-of-the-First-Selectman
Opinion Piece by Peter Lauridsen for more contex:
Comments
Post a Comment