Janesville City Council to discuss ethics policy
JANESVILLE — As the Janesville City Council prepares to begin what could be its toughest budget season ever, its president has authored an ethics and behavior policy that he hopes will keep everyone playing nice.
President George Brunner said he drafted the policy because of recent conflict and conduct, but he would not be more specific. He said some incidents had caused discussions among past office holders Kathy Voskuil, Frank Perrotto and himself.
Voskuil is co-sponsoring Brunner's policy, which the council is expected to discuss at its Monday, June 27, meeting.
"I think there's been questions that have come up over the last few years as far as the importance of having some ethical principals, or guidelines, for city council members and other public officials," Brunner said.
"I think there were a few things that occurred … when the question was: 'Should we have something? What do other cities do?' "
It turns out that most cities do have ethics and conduct guidelines, Brunner said. Beloit, for instance, has a board of ethics that oversees its policies.
A policy would help newly elected and appointed public officials, as well, Brunner said.
"It lays out some of the responsibilities of a council member," Brunner said, including that council members be prepared and perform their duties diligently and follow the rules of order.
The proposed ethics policy also contains guidelines on accepting gifts and abstaining from voting. It forbids the use of cell phones during meetings, Brunner said.
The policy encourages members to be civil and respectful and to wait their turns to speak.
While Brunner declined to point to any catalysts for the policy, recent behavior observed includes:
-- A controversy when council member Yuri Rashkin walked out of a Forward Janesville dinner banquet before Gov. Scott Walker spoke.
-- An email from Perrotto that Rashkin later sent on to the teacher's union and posted on his website. Perrotto's email criticized Rashkin for walking out on the governor. The controversy aired just days before the April election, which Perrotto lost.
-- New council member Sam Liebert's decision to abstain from a vote for no appreant reason. The guidelines specify when a conflict of interest requires council members to abstain.
-- Heated discussions, several barbed comments and council members speaking out of turn. Brunner himself became so distressed during a budget discussion two years ago that he threatened to quit.
"We've got to conduct our meetings openly and with civility and be respectful to each other's opinions," Brunner said.
The policy does not include an enforcement mechanism, although some cities have that, as well.
"I think this is a good first step for Janesville," Brunner said.
Jun 21, 2011 at 4:01 p.m.
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I think this is moving forward in the right direction for the city considering some recent incidences. If other cities have this ethics policy, there must be a reason. So why shouldn't the city of Janesville have it as well? I think Mr. Brunner is moving in the right direction for all the citizens of Janesville. Thank you, Mr. Brunner.
Jun 21, 2011 at 3:26 p.m.
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To all of those out here that do not like George or the others please run at the next election or you have no right to talk. Opions are you know what. But step up and make the change you want. It is so easy to do, just get elected.
Jun 20, 2011 at 10:57 p.m.
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Just curious eatless, can you point out one instance during a Janesville city council session that turned into bickering chaos or stooped the process because of council member behavior?
Jun 20, 2011 at 4:05 p.m.
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It's just the opposite Johnny. It's a waste of taxpayer's money when nothing gets done because of the bickering and fighting. Every business and organization (including religious) that I know of, has an ethic policy. It's the only way to keep moving forward.
Jun 20, 2011 at 2:26 p.m.
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"The policy does not include an enforcement mechanism." In other words the council will be wasting tax payers time and money doing this, as it won't be worth the paper it will be printed on.
Jun 19, 2011 at 2:13 p.m.
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Good idea.
Jun 19, 2011 at 1:13 p.m.
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taxandspend, we are NOT building a new ice arena. Next question?
Jun 19, 2011 at 10:38 a.m.
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If Brunner can't stand the heat he should get
out of the kitchen. Their is only one ethical
quality that I require in my representatives,
and that is honesty.
Jun 19, 2011 at 8:27 a.m.
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Let's see if Brunner can follow his own suggestions. He's so full of himself its pathetic!
Jun 19, 2011 at 6:37 a.m.
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Apparently having a strong opinion and expressing that opinion is just too much for some people. Democracy is messy business when people disagree and exercise their free speach rights to say things that make others uncomfortable if it is too much for Mr. Brunner then he should resign. We don't need this type of bogus issue wasting council time.
Jun 19, 2011 at 4:19 a.m.
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Seriously...out of all the real issues facing our fair city, this is what Brunner decides to stand for? The only thing I find more absurd than his apparent inability to prioritize, is Nielsen's inability to "just say no." There is no story here. None. Brunner is either too cowardly to present evidence as to why he feels this "initiative" is necessary, or he is lacking said evidence. When one takes into consideration the import of the actual problems Janesville is facing, one ought to find this "initiative" insulting. Instead of offering up a few "recent behaviors observed," Nielsen should have killed this story, because to be honest, Janesvillians should not be interested in what behaviors she felt were a priority to list. If Brunner feels comfortable enough to waste his time as our council member presenting this nonsense, then he had better be strong enough to present the reasons for which he feels it's necessary. Nielsen should not have done that for him.
While I do disagree with Rashkin on numerous issues, the truth remains that at least he stands up for what he believes in. Regardless of your political viewpoints, you have to admit that that's worth a lot more than waiting for someone else to take a controversial stand, only to use it as an opportunity to create some sort of bogus "initiative."
Jun 18, 2011 at 10:59 p.m.
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The ice arena decision has already been made....get over it already.....ethics policy has to do with the council members' behavior, not their decisions, their behavior, in my humble opinion, should be ethical and respectful without the need for yet, another group to judge them.....if people would just gets their heads and hearts in the right direction we wouldn't need "ethic commitees" it's a sad comentary on life these days...sad to see the apparent need for behavior wardens here in little ol' Janesville.......JMO
Jun 18, 2011 at 6:26 p.m.
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It's about time
Jun 18, 2011 at 5:21 p.m.
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I would hope this would allow ALL council members to be able to conduct themselves properly during these meetings. Angry responses and demeaning comments will not help get anything done. Look at these blogs, at least the council members are physically in the same room together. Much different than posting on blogs.
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