Ethics

Talked about during executive session, trustee reports, and public comment, the Ethics Board has emerged as perhaps the surprise hot topic of village board meetings this fall. Most of the conversation has been between Trustee Scott Hunsinger and Ethics Board Chair Wayne Bennett, or directed at one or both of them, or about one of both of them.

Nearly everyone who has taken part in the discussion has done so with passion for the matter at hand, which centers around the progress—or lack thereof—of the Ethics Board toward becoming a functioning part of the village’s government. Rather than ponder the—in my opinion—unfortunate state of the Ethics Board, from which another member resigned a week ago, I’d prefer to take a look at the bigger picture.

First, it’s worth noting that although Mr. Bennett and Trustee Hunsinger may be at odds lately, the pair have worked just fine together before, serving on the Village Advisory Committee. I know because I was there. In fact, each of us was an inaugural member of that body, appointed December 19, 2005.

Of course, I think highly of Trustee Hunsigner. Having been his running mate, I can tell you that finding a more enthusiastic supporter of Brockport would be a real challenge. Likewise, based on by experience with Mr. Bennett during the time when he and I served on the VAC, I think that he means well. I count him as someone who cares about Brockport.

Second, after last Monday’s resignation, the Ethics Board lacks a quorum. This means that whatever progress had been made will come to a halt. But that may not be such a bad thing. Here’s why.

Adopted as chapter 13 of the village code 38 years ago, the code of ethics was intended to guide Brockport officials and employees in the discharge of their responsibilities as municipal representatives. Chapter 13’s framers recognized that codifying public trust was probably unrealistic. States article I, section 1 of chapter 13: “Standards must rest primarily on personal integrity and on community vigilance; law cannot in itself create moral fiber, not can law quicken the civic conscience.”

Fair enough: as a practical matter, citizens rely to a significant extent on officials and employees to “do the right thing.” Where the code gets dicey is in its description of “Gifts and Favors” under article VI:

“No officer or employee of the Village of Brockport, whether paid or unpaid, shall accept any gift or gratuity, whether in the form of services, loan or any promise of benefit of any kind, from any person, firm, or corporation which is interested indirectly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever in any business or professional transaction or dealing with the village or any agency thereof.”

What’s so troubling about this language is the extent to which the commonplace give and take of social interaction is prohibited by law. For example, I mentioned at the last board meeting how much I enjoyed the Halloween parade and party on October 24. Well, the Brockport Merchants Association annually hosts this event, which was held at the fire hall on Market Street and staffed by college students, among others.

Did I violate the village’s code of ethics by drinking a cup of cider at the party, or by allowing my son to accept candy from the proprietors of Main Street businesses? Certainly merchants individually could benefit from a cozier relationship with a trustee, particularly if they intend to come before the board to, for example, have a sidewalk dining area during the summer. And the merchants association? It benefits from a relationship with the village too. In fact, the village gave the association money for this fantastic holiday gathering. Let’s not forget the fire department, the leadership of which would, I’m sure, not mind if their budget grew. And how about the college students, some of whom may be members of a group that could have an event or project that would need village approval.

My point is that it is beyond the reach of common sense to believe that cider and candy would corrupt any person with even a small amount of integrity. Yet the code of ethics doesn’t recognize this.

Even our mayor, who often mentions having a sarsaparilla, couldn’t drink it if you bought him a glass and proposed a toast. Given that the village seems to be moving closer to a new contract with the Stetson Club, which would be something to celebrate, I don’t know about ethical, but that hardly seems fair.

There’s Much More to the Board Than Monday Night Fights

Over the last several years many people have commented that members of the Brockport Village Board don’t seem to get along. Well before I joined the board, spirited arguments about everything ranging from the placement of flowers on Main Street to the handling of employee contracts took place at least periodically—some would say frequently.

In my short tenure as a trustee, I’ve heard several times—in particular from a few people who monitor the village intently—about a desire for board members to work together better, or more closely, or in greater harmony. Fact is though, our opinions often differ, sometimes substantially. And while I consider our diversity of thought as an asset, I understand how some folks might watch our Monday evening debates and conclude that it would be nice if we agreed more.

What I hope observers can recognize is the passion of the five people representing Brockport. It’s visible and audible at our meetings as we discuss varying viewpoints. More importantly, though, is that underlying our passion is, I believe, a sincere desire to serve the village to the best of our abilities. Perhaps that’s not center stage enough, but in this we are united.

Also worth mentioning is reality that those who attend our meetings or watch them on television get only a glimpse of our interactions. As I said during my board report this past Monday, I accomplish most of my work as a trustee between our meetings, not at them.

For example, Mayor Mort Wexler and I have spoken on different occasions about the process of finding Brockport's next treasurer. To his credit, it was Mayor Wexler that suggested we tap Lou Spiro, the vice president for administration and finance at the College at Brockport, to lend his expertise in this area. What a wonderful idea that has proved to be: Mr. Spiro’s input has been indispensable.

There are lighter moments, too, that go unseen by the public. For example, this past week when I stopped by the village offices to pick up mail, I had my three-year-old son, Edison, with me. Edison knows that Clerk Leslie Morelli has a candy jar, so when he asked for a sucker, the mayor advised him to take two: one to go into his mouth immediately, and another for later. You can insert your own joke here about my future dental bills, but my son sure got a kick out of the mayor’s offer.

A few seconds later, Edison marched into the mayor’s office, attracted by the portrait of William Seymour that hangs on the south wall there. My son wanted to know who was in the picture, so I told him, not that the answer would hold any significance for a pre-schooler. Mayor Wexler then produced a placard from one of his own early campaigns. Slightly yellowed with age, the placard featured a portrait of the mayor. “You know who this guy is?” asked Mayor Wexler.

What happened next got a chuckle out of the mayor and me.

Edison, without hesitation answered confidently: "Barack Obama."

So yes: it’s undeniable that members of the board do bicker. We fight. We’re not fond of one another’s positions on issues. But behind it all, the work of the village is getting done, and from time to time, we even share a laugh along the way.