I admire all people who have a desire to serve in a public office. I have some real concern, however, regarding the ethics and openness of the platform of those associated with the Coalition for Ethics & Accountability in Government (CEAG) who have declared their candidacy for Bountiful mayor and two city council seats.
To me they have implied that the current mayor, city council members and city manager are not ethical. Ethical behavior is in accordance with principles of right or good conduct.
My family, friends and business associates know whether I’m ethical or not without my telling them. Being ethical is not something you broadcast, it is something you either are or you aren’t.
I’ve known Joe Johnson both as a business associate and a friend for over 30 years. I have also known Tom Hardy and several city council members for many years as well.
During these many years, I have observed that they are ethical in all facets of their lives, and they have not had to tell me they are ethical for me to know that about them.
Regarding openness in the council, the agenda is critical in council meetings, and the important items are always first because they involve the whole city.
Secondary are personal items from various citizens. To have an item considered for the city council agenda, all a citizen has to do is contact the city manager’s office or a council member to discuss their issue or concern, and it will be resolved in the most efficient manner possible.
Cal Gibbs
Bountiful
I'm not stating that our current representatives are not in fact ethical people. I do not yet know them personally, however, I fail to see how it could be a bad idea for a representative to have a group of individuals watching and analyzing said representatives actions and decisions and then reporting to them on the ethics of said actions and decisions as to whether or not they were in fact ethical, and if not holding them accountable for those actions and decisions.
If I were shown the error of my ways I believe I would be inclined to change them and correct the misdeeds I may have done so as to avoid any future mistakes.
Also, if I knew that people were actually watching me and that I would have to answer to them then I believe I would be more inclined to put forth a great deal of effort to not make ethical mistakes in the first place.
As a people should we not have as tight a hold on our government and it's actions as possible? Is not that how a people remain free? Do we not first govern our government so that it may in turn properly govern and represent us? Or do we allow it to freely rummage through our personal rights and liberty's, taking out a pinch here and then a handful there?
I pray that in the future our representatives take less offense at the watchful eye of those they claim to represent.
Daniel Bledsoe
I could not have said it better!
John Marc Knight